Safe & Sound: What States can do to ensure respect for the best interests of unaccompanied and separated children in Europe

Drafted by the UNHCR and UNICEF, this document aims to support States in the European Union and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in applying the best interests principle as a primary consideration when dealing with unaccompanied and separated children within their territory. The number of documented, registered children in these regions who are unaccompanied or separated has been steadily rising; UNICEF and UNHCR hazard that the actual numbers of unaccompanied or separated children are actually higher as children, for various reasons, do not often register with the authorities.

This document has been designed for use primarily by policy makers and public and private institutions in the EU and EFTA countries seeking to make or improve arrangements for identifying unaccompanied and separated children, and identifying durable solutions for them. The document presents guidelines, examples, and suggestions to aid States in making context-specific solutions for diverse, complicated situations.