Once they reach adulthood, unaccompanied foreign minors face bureaucratic obstacles and difficulties in entering the job market and securing housing. The new edition of Save the Children's report “Hidden in Plain Sight” focuses on the delicate phase of reaching the age of 18, and the transition to adulthood of unaccompanied foreign minors, who are forced to face the immediate challenge of finding a job and a home after leaving reception programmes.

According to the report's data, between 2014 and 2024, 127,662 unaccompanied under-18 foreigners arrived in Italy, alone, by sea.

The report highlights how Law no. 47/2017, which sets out the foundations for proper reception practices, is not always complied with. Critical issues concern, inter alia, age assessment, the initiation of guardianship, the initial issuance of residence permits, and the role of the legal representative.  

Other data reveal that in June 2024, only slightly more than one in two minors (58.1%) were housed in secondary level reception centres, both within the SAI system (Sistema Accoglienza Integrazione, Reception and Integration System) or outside it. 

This means that unaccompanied foreign minors are often housed in extraordinary reception centres (Emergency reception centres for minors or CAS) or other types of emergency facilities. Only basic services are guaranteed in these facilities; foreign minors should only stay for the time necessary to be transferred to SAI facilities, as they are unsuitable to meet the needs of children for longer periods.

The fourth edition of “Hidden in Plain Sight” can be consulted on Save the Children website [5].

Further materials and news can be found on this site under Unaccompanied foreign children [6], accessible from the “Topics” navigation menu.