In 2023, the Home Office introduced a new process for dealing with children’s asylum claims. The aim was to “streamline” the process, leading to children getting decisions on their claims more quickly. In the place of submitting a SEF form and having a substantive interview the new process consists of a shorter meeting, a “Preliminary Information Meeting” (PIM). Only children of certain nationalities and who arrived in the UK before a certain date are eligible for the streamlined process.
We have produced these resources for children and young people who are eligible for PIMs and the adults supporting them. You can download them as PDFs or as plain text Word documents below.
We also know that many children in the asylum process are being held back by the lack of available legal aid representation. Children we work with are frustrated that they are waiting for a lawyer before their asylum claim can progress. Scroll down for a resource explaining the situation and read more about what’s happening in the North West here.
Information for young people


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Information for Responsible Adults


![What happens after the PIM?
The Home Office cannot refuse an asylum claim on the basis of a PIM.
They can either make a POSITIVE DECISION;
Or, if more information is required, they can request a SEF form; a short, targeted interview or a full substantive interview.
We recommend seeking legal representation if further information is required.
How to get a PIM?
The policy states that the Home Office will invite eligible young people for PIMs, whether or not they have a legal rep.
BUT we have not seen this happening often.
The Home Office have a clear policy to streamline the asylum process, so it is possible to prompt them to send an invitation to eligible young people who are waiting.
If a young person is eligible for a PIM, their Social Worker or Personal Advisor (or Responsible Adult) can request a PIM invitation from the Home Office.
You can email LiverpoolAsylumAdmin@homeoffice.gov.uk to state:
Young Person’s name, DOB, nationality and Home Office reference number (if you know it, on HO documents).
“In line with the Home Office’s Streamlined Asylum Processing for Children Guidance, this young person is eligible for a PIM as [they] are a national of ______ and they claimed asylum before 6 March 2023. Please invite them for a PIM.”
If after requesting a PIM, the Home Office take another form of action, you can contact Nicola Burgess for advice at this stage nicola@gmiau.org](https://gmiau.org/assets/uploads/2023/11/3-724x1024.png)
Click to download this leaflet as a PDF
Click to download as a plain text Word document
Waiting for a lawyer


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Click to download as a plain text Word document