These are some of the most vulnerable children in our society and yet not enough is being done to ensure that they receive the rights they are entitled to

Selam Kidane, BAAF

The report was compiled after 33 refugee children from eight war-torn countries, including Afghanistan, Rwanda, Somalia and Yugoslavia were interviewed about their experiences.

Its author Selam Kidane said the children were being let down by the care system.

Some were housed in bed and breakfast hostels, while others received foster care, she said.

She found that children were not attending school and that local authorities were often not carrying out compulsory assessments of their emotional, cultural and linguistic needs.

'Distressed'

Mrs Kidane, a BAAF refugee project consultant, said: "These are some of the most vulnerable children in our society and yet not enough is being done to ensure that they receive the rights they are entitled to under international law.

"A lot of them are quite distressed, angry and confused by the situation but coping amazingly well under the circumstances.

"They all talk about wanting to be with their families and going home, but they also want to do well and make everybody proud of them."

Earlier study

In August this year, a study by the Refugee Council made similar discoveries.

It said child asylum seekers were being placed in unsuitable accommodation without proper support.

The report's authors called for greater co-ordination between government departments to ensure high quality care.

The BAAF study found the majority of child refugees in the UK are living in London and the South East.

One 15-year-old boy from Afghanistan told Mrs Kidane: "I did not choose to come here - I was sent because of the war.

"I would not choose this for anyone."

The BAAF's report will be launched in London on Thursday, at a conference on the plight of unaccompanied refugee children in the UK.