Ellie Ames 15 July 2024

Lone asylum-seeking child arrivals to Kent up 87%

Lone asylum-seeking child arrivals to Kent up 87% image
Image: Sean Aidan Calderbank / Shutterstock.com

The number of unaccompanied asylum-seeking (UAS) children arriving in the UK along Kent’s shoreline has risen by 87%.

In the first half of 2023, 624 UAS children were referred to Kent County Council, increasing to 1,165 in the same period this year.

The council said it had been able to look after all UAS children who had arrived this year, in part due to an early warning system and emergency response plan developed with the Government.

But it said there were times it could only manage ‘by the narrowest of margins’, and continued to urge the Government to make changes to the National Transfer Scheme rather than relying on crisis management measures.

A council report says: ‘Kent CC has for far too long been expected to shoulder a large and disproportionate burden by itself, to accommodate and care for every UAS child (even on a temporary basis).’

Last month, the council was told in the High Court it must accommodate and look after all UAS children 'irrespective' of its resources.

Kent has been developing extra capacity, funded by the Government, with the first of several new reception centres to open ‘in the coming weeks’, according to the council report. 

Kent also said it would write to the new home and education secretaries to invite them to see its work safeguarding UAS children and the ‘real challenges’ it faces in doing so.

To find out what local government stakeholders want from the new government, check out our guide, Transforming Local Government: A Strategic Guide for LabourDownload your complimentary copy now!

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Worker (Link Role)

Essex County Council
£31931.00 - £36423.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Family Worker (Link Role)Permanent, Full Time£31,931 to £36,423 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Assistant Manager

Wakefield Council
£42,839 to £46,142, Grade 10.
We have fantastic opportunity available for a Residential Children’s Home Assistant Manager. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Council Tax Officers - North Lincolnshire Council

North East Lincolnshire Council
Grade 6 - £16,765 to £18,501 per year
You will be working as part of the Local Taxation and Benefits Shared Service North East Lincolnshire
Recuriter: North East Lincolnshire Council

Electoral Services Officer

North East Lincolnshire Council
NJC15 - £30,024
Are you ready to play a key role in shaping democracy while thriving in a fast-paced, data-driven environment? North East Lincolnshire
Recuriter: North East Lincolnshire Council

Family Support Worker

North East Lincolnshire Council
NJC 19 - £32,061
Are you committed to improving outcomes for our Young People? North East Lincolnshire
Recuriter: North East Lincolnshire Council
Linkedin Banner