ECRE and Save the Children publish a comparative study on the return of children in Europe, aimed at supporting Member States in developing an effective system for considering the return of children (unaccompanied or within families) to non European states.

The aim of the study is to support Member States in developing an effective system for considering the return of children (unaccompanied or within families) to non European states. The study covers 31 European countries (EU and Schengen Associated states) and 7 countries of return.

The study found that children in families are more often subject to forced returns and to detention than unaccompanied children. Unaccompanied children are in most States not forcibly returned, but some states deport them when they have turned 18.

It was also revealed that there is a general absence of clear transnational procedures between returning countries and countries of origin, including regarding the transfer of care of unaccompanied children.

Member States continue to face a number of challenges in considering the return of children, not least how to assess the situation of the child in the host and return country and how to assess the best interests of the child.

The study also includes a checklist to assist Member States in designing clear procedures and process under which the return of children can be considered properly, based on obligations deriving from the EU and international law and standards.

For further information, see the project's page on our website.