Taking Care: Resolving nationality and immigration status for children in care

Many children in the UK care system face an uncertain future due to unresolved immigration and nationality issues. Despite clear legal and ethical obligations, local authorities do not systematically record the nationality or immigration status of children in their care, leaving many vulnerable to precarious legal situations upon reaching adulthood. Without appropriate immigration status, care leavers can face homelessness, destitution, and barriers to higher education, employment, and basic services.
This project aims to support ongoing advocacy efforts to establish a statutory requirement for local authorities to resolve the immigration status of all children in care before they turn 18. A critical gap in current policy is the lack of national data on how many children are affected. To address this, the project will focus on collecting and analyzing data through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to all local authorities in England, Wales, and Scotland. This will provide a robust evidence base for discussions with policymakers, including the Department for Education and key political stakeholders.

The Research Assistant will play a key role in this data-gathering effort, helping to draft and submit FOI requests, track responses, and synthesize findings into a report that can inform lobbying efforts. They will also support engagement with policymakers and NGOs to ensure that the evidence is effectively communicated.

This project is vital in ensuring that children in care have secure immigration status and equal opportunities as they transition into adulthood. The research findings will contribute directly to policy discussions and broader efforts to strengthen protections for some of the most vulnerable children in the UK.

The Research Assistant will support efforts to establish a statutory requirement for local authorities to resolve the immigration status of all children in care before they turn 18. Their primary role will be to gather data on the number of children affected by this issue through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to local authorities across England, Wales, and Scotland.
Key Tasks:

• Assist in drafting the FOI request to local authorities.
• Submit the FOI request to all local authorities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• Track responses and follow up with local authorities that do not respond within the statutory timeframe.
• Collate and analyze data from FOI responses, identifying trends and gaps in local authority record-keeping.
• Produce a summary report presenting key findings, including estimated numbers of affected children and regional variations.
• Engage with stakeholders, including NGOs and academics, to refine the research approach and ensure alignment with policy advocacy efforts.

Targets/Goals:

• FOI Requests: Successfully send requests to 100% of local authorities in England, Wales, and Scotland.
• Response Rate: Achieve a response rate of at least 40%, with follow-up actions to maximize returns.
• Data Analysis: Develop a clear estimate of the number of children in care with unresolved immigration status.
• Produce a report: Deliver a concise, evidence-based report summarizing findings for use in policy discussions.

This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain first-hand experience in research, policy advocacy, and campaigning at both national and local government levels. The student will benefit from:

• Engagement with the Refugee and Migrant Children’s Consortium (RMCC): Becoming part of a national coalition of NGOs, academics, and practitioners working to improve the rights of migrant children.
• Becoming a member of the Special Interest Group on Immigration: Opportunities to collaborate with NGOs, local authorities, and national government representatives to influence systemic change gaining first-hand advocacy and campaigning experience.
• Professional networking: Working alongside experienced lawyers, social workers, and child rights specialists, gaining valuable insights into immigration law, social policy, and child welfare.
• Participation in online meetings and events: Engaging with stakeholders from across the UK, contributing to strategic discussions, and presenting research findings.
• Hands-on research and data analysis skills: Gaining experience in drafting and submitting FOI requests, analyzing government responses, and synthesizing complex data into actionable insights.
• Co-authoring a high-impact report: A chance to be the lead or co-author of a report that could directly inform national policy and potentially contribute to statutory legislative change.
• Practical policy experience: Understanding how research translates into tangible policy outcomes, particularly in the context of local authority responsibilities and national legislative frameworks.
• Career development: Strengthening research, writing, and advocacy skills while building a strong foundation for future work in policy, human rights, law, or academia.

The ideal candidate for this internship should have a strong interest in social justice, child rights, immigration policy, and advocacy. While expertise in all areas is not required, the student should be eager to learn, adaptable, and motivated to contribute to a project with significant national policy implications.
Key skills:

• Research and analytical skills: Ability to conduct policy research, analyze government responses, and synthesize complex information into clear findings.
• Strong written communication: Experience in drafting reports, briefing documents, or policy papers (in academic or policy context).
• Attention to detail: Ensuring accuracy in data collection, FOI requests, and analysis.
• Organizational and time-management skills: Ability to manage multiple tasks, track FOI responses, and meet deadlines.
• Understanding of UK public policy and law: Some knowledge of immigration, nationality, or child protection law, or a willingness to learn.
• Independent working: Comfortable working autonomously while collaborating with a wider network of NGOs, lawyers, and policymakers.
• Commitment to social justice and child rights: A passion for advocating for vulnerable children and improving policy outcomes.

Desirable skills:

• Experience with Freedom of Information (FOI) requests: Familiarity with submitting FOIs and working with government data.
• Advocacy or campaigning experience: Experience engaging with policymakers, lobbying, or contributing to advocacy initiatives.
• Experience working with NGOs, Local Authorities, or legal organizations: An understanding of how public and third-sector organizations operate.
• Legal or social policy background: Academic or practical experience in law, human rights, social work, or public policy.
• Quantitative or qualitative data analysis skills: Experience in processing data and drawing policy-relevant conclusions.

The Research Assistant will play a key role in ensuring that the research findings reach relevant stakeholders and contribute to policy change. The main output of this project will be a policy report. The student will lead or co-author this final report summarizing the findings from the FOI requests, including statistical analysis and policy recommendations.

Depending on the RAs interests they may also undertake policy and advocacy work such as presenting findings to policymakers, including the Department for Education (DfE) and contributing to lobbying activities by providing data-driven evidence for policy discussions and campaigns.

The RA will also be able to disseminate findings through RMCC coalition meetings the Immigration Special Interest Group and local government forums.

1. Please send your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your interest and suitability to the project supervisor(s). Please contact the project supervisor(s) in advance of submitting the application with any questions.

2. If selected by the project supervisor

• LISS DTP students must then complete the LISS DTP Placement /Internship Application form. This ensures that there is approval of PhD supervisor, and the necessary information is obtained to extend funding (for DTP1 students) or confirm placement requirement fulfilled (for DTP2 students), and to fulfil ESRC reporting obligations. LISS DTP approval must be given before the RA internship can commence.
• Other ESRC-funded DTP students should follow the internship application processes from their home DTP.

Please note for LISS DTP students:

• Research Assistant Internships must not be undertaken with the student’s current supervisor and/or home department.
• DTP1 students (those whose funding commenced before Oct24): a maximum of 4 Research Assistant internships will be funded. These will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the 4 DTP1 places are filled, we will inform PIs that only DTP2 students are eligible for the Research Assistant internships. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL DTP1 PLACES HAVE NOW BEEN FILLED.
• DTP2 students (those whose funding commenced from Oct24): are required to complete a 3-month placement, which is funded through their studentship. No limits to number that can be funded.
• Reports: at the conclusion of the internship, the student will be required to complete an internship report, which will include a question for the internship host to feedback on the internship.

Contact liss-dtp@kcl.ac.uk with any questions.