Issue - meetings

To receive the report from the Cabinet Member for Specialist Children’s Services and the Corporate Director for Social Care, Health and Wellbeing to consider and endorse or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member

Ms N Scannell, Development and Planning Manager, was in attendance for this item.

1.            Ms Scannell introduced the report and she and Mr Ireland responded to comments and questions from Members.  The following points were highlighted:-

a)    the type of accommodation to be used for unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC), once the Millbank Centre had closed, would include a range of smaller 3- and 4-bed units in one area.  In the case of longer-term accommodation, UASC would be dispersed around the county;

b)    support staff at the Millbank Centre were currently employed by the County Council from an agency, and were engaged as and when needed; and

c)    UASC would arrive in the UK from various countries, usually where there was currently civil unrest. Under current Children in Care and Care Leavers legislation, unaccompanied minors arriving in the county would automatically come under the care of the County Council while their asylum claim was being determined.  The County Council did not, however, have any role in determining their claim for asylum.

2.            RESOLVED that the decision proposed to be taken by the Cabinet Member for Specialist Children’s Services, to agree the proposal to close the Millbank Reception Centre for UASC males aged 16+, and to commission alternative accommodation, be endorsed.