The definition is in the DfE's statutory guidance, Care of unaccompanied migrant children and child victims of modern slavery (2017). It also says that where a person's age is in doubt, they must be treated as a child unless and until a lawful age assessment shows they are an adult.
An unaccompanied child becomes looked after once the local authority has accommodated them under section 20 for 24 hours (paragraph 10). So they have the same entitlements as other looked-after children: a care plan, a PEP, an IRO, support from the virtual school and priority in school admissions. Many arrive through the National Transfer Scheme, which shares responsibility between councils.
Safeguarding points for schools:
- Some unaccompanied children are victims of trafficking or modern slavery, and may go missing or be contacted by traffickers. KCSIE 2026 Annex A lists the 2017 guidance as further reading.
- Some will have an Independent Child Trafficking Guardian (KCSIE Annex A).
- Trauma, language and uncertainty about immigration status can affect attendance, learning and how they tell adults about worries.
Common confusion: "unaccompanied" is not always permanent. A child may later be reunited with family in the UK and stop being looked after.