The report of the Deputy Director (Children’s Social Care)(Document “K”) provides information for the Panel in respect of the work currently being undertaken in the district with Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children.

Recommended –

That Document “K” be noted.

                                                            (Rachel Curtis – 01274 435779)

The report of the Deputy Director (Children’s Social Care)(Document “K”) provided information for the Panel in respect of the work currently being undertaken in the district with Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC).

He explained that there had been some significant changes since the last report to the Panel in April 2016.  The National Transfer Scheme (NTS) had started in July 2016 and there were currently 32 UASC being supported in the Bradford district, 20 of whom had been placed through the NTS.

A young person was in attendance and gave Members of the Panel an insight into his personal experience as an UASC.

A representative of Horton Housing, a provider of supported accommodation, explained that the young people were taught a large number of different practical skills to encourage successful independence and were provided with a wide range of useful information on subjects such as first aid, sexual health and life in the United Kingdom.  They were also given the opportunity to take part in cultural experiences such as visiting the coast, shopping, playing football and visiting museums.  They were encouraged to learn or improve their English skills and to attend college.

The Deputy Director responded to questions from Members:

·         Statutory guidance had been published by the Department for Education which clearly indicated that planning for the future for these young people must be undertaken in the same way as for all looked after children, whilst being mindful of safeguarding and trafficking issues.  This needed to be undertaken alongside the immigration system process; with young people being advised honestly that they may or may not  be able to stay and being assisted to try and  prepare for either eventuality.

·         Migration Yorkshire undertook a central co-ordinating role and the Through Care Team liaised with this agency.

·         To date, Bradford had only taken young people over the age of 16 due to the available placements being more appropriate for this age group.  Work was being done in respect of the recruitment of foster carers for younger children.

·         Migration Yorkshire held meetings, covering the whole of West Yorkshire, every two to three months in York.

·         The Home Office was undertaking a review in respect of funding with Local Authorities being asked for their views. It was believed that the existing payment structure was broadly reasonable in respect of the care of 16/17 year olds.

·         Migration Yorkshire was looking into how health needs could be better funded as these young people were quite likely to have additional health needs.

·         There was an extra requirement in respect of notifying the Home Office if any of these young people went missing.

·         When the National Transfer Scheme had been established a calculation had been made for the number of UASC each local authority could take in principle and for Bradford this had equated to 90.  Apart from Kent no local authority had taken the full amount.  Bradford had taken 23% of its quota, which was broadly equivalent to that taken by the other local authorities in the area, and it now appeared unlikely that the authority would have to take the full amount. It was stressed that Bradford had never refused to take an UASC and would continue to work with Migration Yorkshire to accommodate these young people when necessary.  It was considered that the Authority should be proud of its contribution.

·         The vast majority of UASC were aged 16 to 17 but some were younger, even as young as 11, perhaps when travelling with a sibling group.

Members thanked the young person for attending the meeting and sharing his experience and wished him good luck for the future.  They commended officers for the work being undertaken to support these young people.

Resolved –

(1)       That officers be thanked for the work that has been done and continues to be done with unaccompanied asylum seeking children in the Bradford district.

(2)       That the Panel notes the importance of adequate funding being made available to the authority in order that the needs of these young people can be met.

ACTION:       Deputy Director (Children's Social Care)