A review of local authorities funding and updated guidance for councils will be published by the Government as part of a wider strategy on improving care for unaccompanied migrant children and child victims of modern slavery.
The strategy will also provide specialist training for 1,000 foster cares and support workers to improve their skills and confidence in caring for unaccompanied child migrants.
The Government will commission research into the effectiveness of existing support for unaccompanied children and families reunited under the Dublin Regulation and whether more help is needed.
Immigration minister Brandon Lewis said: 'Last year almost 3,000 unaccompanied children claimed asylum in the UK and they all require ongoing care and protection. This strategy will increase the information and support available to the local authorities who play a crucial role in looking after them.
'The government’s new training for foster carers and support workers will be backed by new funding worth £200,000, between 2017 and 2019. An additional £60,000 investment will provide a package of revised guidance, information and resources.'
The announcement has been welcomes by Unicef UK who said the strategy was a positive step forward for unaccompanied asylum seeking and refugee children.
Deputy executive director, Lily Caprani, said: 'We welcome the holistic approach set out in the new safeguarding strategy, including improved training and support for social workers, increased educational support, and a better process for children with a right to have their asylum claim transferred to allow them to be with family in the UK.'
