PART 5Protection of victims

I151Presumption about age

1

This section applies where—

a

a public authority with functions under relevant arrangements has reasonable grounds to believe that a person F1is a victim of human trafficking, and

b

the authority is not certain of the person's age but has reasonable grounds to believe that the person may be under 18.

2

Until an assessment of the person's age is carried out by a local authority or the person's age is otherwise determined, the public authority must assume for the purposes of its functions under relevant arrangements that the person is under 18.

3

“Relevant arrangements” means arrangements for providing assistance and support to persons who are, or who there are reasonable grounds to believe F2are, victims of human trafficking, as set out in—

a

guidance issued under section 49(1)(b);

b

any regulations made under section 50(1).

4

“Local authority” has the same meaning as in the Children Act 1989 (see section 105 of that Act).