Laura Sharman 07 September 2016

Councils caring for 62% more children seeking asylum

There has been a 62% increase in the number of unaccompanied children seeking asylum being looked after by councils in the past year, new figures have revealed.

A freedom of information request by the BBC found at least 104 councils have reported a rise in the number of unaccompanied minors they are caring for.

The figures show Kent County Council is caring for one in five lone children seeking asylum, with Croydon Council looking after the second largest amount of these children.

The figures show that the largest group being cared for are boys aged 16 and 17, from countries such as Afghanistan or Eritrea.

The figures come as children’s charity Unicef said that although 88,265 asylum claims were made by unaccompanied children in the European Union in 2015, the UK only received 3.4% of these.

‘Children on the move are at risk of the worst forms of abuse and harm and can easily fall victim to traffickers and other criminals,’ said Lily Caprani, Unicef UK deputy executive director.

‘Many of these children wouldn't resort to such extreme measures if the UK Government made them aware that they may have a legal right to come to the UK safely and if they provided the resources to make that process happen before these terrible journeys begin.’

Unicef is calling on the UK Government to offer more resettlement places to refugee children facing dangers and do more to ensure that refugee children stranded in Europe can reach their families in the UK.

Photo: Malcolm P Chapman / Shutterstock.com

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Makaton Tutor - Part Time / Term Time

Essex County Council
£25821.00 - £30377.00 per annum + + Pension
Makaton Tutor - Part Time / Term TimePermanent, Part Time£30,377 per annum, full time equivalent / equal to £15.74 per hour.Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Assistant Urban Design Intern

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Assistant Urban Design InternFixed Term, Full Time£25,081 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Wellbeing and Independence Practitioner - Safeguarding Team

Essex County Council
£31931.00 - £36423.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Wellbeing and Independence Practitioner - ASC Centralised Safeguarding TeamFixed Term, Full Time£31,931 to £36,423 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Financial Strategy Manager (Revenue)

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Bring clarity to complex decisions and help shape how we invest in our borough's future.Bring clarity to complex decisions and help shape how we inves England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Team Manager - Locality

Wakefield Council
£55,979.00, Grade 13
Wakefield Children’s Services have been rated by Ofsted as GOOD with outstanding leadership. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner