Cornwall to provide homes for 74 asylum seeking children
The council says the unaccompanied children will arrive in the new year
Cornwall is set to provide homes and support for 74 asylum seeking children in the new year.
Barbara Ellenbroek, Cornwall Council Cabinet member for children and families, said that the authority had been approached by the government to provide help for unaccompanied children.
She made the comments at a meeting of the Cabinet this morning at New County Hall in Truro.
Cllr Ellenbroek said: “We should expect 23 unaccompanied asylum seeking children by the end of January with an additional 51 over the coming months.
“We have to work with our partners to make sure that we have the right facilities and accommodation for these children.”
The Home Office has been asking local councils to provide help and support for asylum seekers in recent months.
It was reported last month that the Home Office was taking “urgent steps” to address the needs of unaccompanied children.
All local councils were approached and asked to take children – councils would not need to take children if 0.07% of its child population are asylum seekers. The Government will pay councils £143 per night per child for those placed in their areas.
Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said: “Children who arrive in the UK on their own seeking safety are highly vulnerable. They must receive local authority care immediately, a responsibility that must be shared equitably by all local authorities in the UK.
“This important decision should reduce the unacceptable delays in vulnerable children, who have often experienced great trauma, getting the vital care they need and is a very welcome move.”
Kevin Foster, the minister for safe and legal migration, said: “It’s right we do all we can to protect unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, many of whom have gone through dangerous journeys and been exploited by despicable people smugglers.
“I am grateful for the continued, and invaluable, support of local authorities across the country who have provided crucial placements to vulnerable young asylum seekers."