William Eichler 21 February 2019

Council spending on asylum-seeking children doubles in four years

Local authority leaders have called on the Government to provide ‘vital’ funding to help them support unaccompanied children seeking asylum.

The latest figures show that the number of asylum-seeking children and young people under 18 in care in England rose from 2,760 in 2014/15 to 4,480 in 2017/18.

According to the Local Government Association, councils spent more than £152m on unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in 2017/18 – an increase of 95% on the £77m spent in 2014/15.

Councils are also seeing an increase of more than 50% in two years in unaccompanied children leaving care when they turn 18, but remaining the responsibility of the local authority.

There were 4,660 unaccompanied children leaving care in 2016, which went up to 7,130 in 2018.

Cllr David Simmonds, chairman of the LGA’s Asylum, Migration and Refugee Task Group, called on the Government to fully fund councils that are facing ‘significant financial pressures’ so that they can help support children in their care.

‘Councils have a strong track record supporting those resettling in the UK and are committed to providing the best support possible,’ said Cllr Simmonds.

‘However, given the significant financial pressures councils are under as they set local budgets and council tax in the coming weeks, achieving the level of support new arrivals are legally entitled to is becoming more and more challenging.

‘Councils want to make sure every child in their care gets the very best support which keeps them safe from harm, and enables them to go on and live fulfilling, happy and healthy lives.

‘This is why the Government needs to announce the findings of its long overdue review into the funding of support provided by councils for unaccompanied children.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Standards, Compliance and Development Manager - Children’s residential provisions

Oxfordshire County Council
£57187.00 - £60485.00
This role will lead on Quality Assurance, Standards development, and Regulatory compliance for Oxfordshire’s residential children’s provision, including the unregulated reforms 2022. The post holder will conduct internal inspections within the registe Countywide
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Streetcare LGV Driver / Operative - WMF2112e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£27,711 - £28,624
Westmorland and Furness Council are seeking to employ an enthusiastic and motivated person into a Street Cleansing role Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Specialist Communication Support Worker (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 7, £27,259 - £29,955 (pay award pending)
The City of Doncaster Council puts improving the life of its residents at the centre of everything we do. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Apprentice Social Value

Durham County Council
£14,566
Earn. Learn. Qualify.   Do you want to earn while you learn, with the chance of progression once you qualify? Do you want the opportunity to grow, dev Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Pay Reward and Employment Services Support Officers

Durham County Council
£25,584 to £27,711 p.a. (Grade 5) Pay Award Pending
An exciting opportunity has arisen for ten Pay, Reward & Employment Services Support Officers to join our CIPP accredited team.   WHAT IS INVOLVED?  Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner