Agenda item

Mr R Gough, Leader of the Council; Mr M Dunkley CBE, Corporate Director of Children, Young People and Education; and Mrs S Hammond, Director Integrated Children's Services (Social Work Lead) were in attendance and Mrs S Chandler, Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services was in virtual attendance for this item.

1.    Mrs Chandler gave a verbal overview of the written update on Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children and Asylum, since the protocol between Kent County Council, the Home Office and Department for Education was initiated in September 2021. She recognised that transfers had not happened in the desired timeframe, which was linked to volume and other authorities taking UASC into their care for the first time. She confirmed that the most vulnerable children and young people were prioritised. Mr Dunkley stated that he was satisfied that the appropriate mechanisms were in place to handle and care for UASC. Mrs Hammond added that there had been a decrease in the use of hotels for UASC over winter, though it was recognised that the number of UASC entering Kent by boat had increased substantially over the previous 10 days in particular.

2.    Mr Gough highlighted the resettlement scheme as an example of successful local-central government collaboration and assured Members that KCC was ready to work with government on its response to the Ukrainian humanitarian crisis.

3.    Members noted that the number of UASC entering Kent in January 2022 had significantly increased when compared to previous years.

4.    Following a question from a Member, Mrs Chandler confirmed that the maximum number of UASC in KCC’s care was capped at 242, plus an additional 120 who would be transferred under the National Transfer Scheme within 10 working days, in line with the protocol.

5.    Mrs Hammond was asked what impact recent UASC volumes had on social workers and services. She confirmed that there were two types of UASC social work, long-term dealing with permanent care and short-term handling reception and initial care. She noted that social workers had volunteered to be involved with UASC care, with the service meeting demand since September 2021.

6.    In relation to immigration status, Mrs Hammond informed the Committee that 10-15% of UASC in KCC’s care became adults without their status confirmed. She reassured Members that it took 13 weeks for UASC to qualify for care leaver status and that KCC worked with the Home Office throughout the process.

7.    A Member asked how UASC schooling and language support was arranged and funded. Mrs Hammond confirmed that there were permanent English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) arrangements in schools and further education colleges, as well as interpreter support, which were government grant funded.

8.    Mrs Hammond reassured Members that there was a clear protocol between KCC, Kent Police and the Home Office for handling UASC missing before transfer. She explained that the protocol was under constant review and took account of national police data. She added that upon arrival social workers asked UASC whether they had any existing contacts in the UK, with the susceptibility for exploitation taken into account.

9.    The Chairman recognised the sacrifices made by voluntary organisations, especially the RNLI, involved in facilitating the safe passage of Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children.

10.The Chairman thanked Mr Gough, Mrs Chandler and Mrs Hammond for the report and commended the work of Cabinet and senior officers in lobbying the government for fairer outcomes for Kent.

RESOLVED to note:

a)    the number of UASC Kent County Council has accommodated since 10 September 2021 and the significant contribution this has made to reducing the number of UASC in hotels used by the Home Office since Summer 2021; and

b)    the refugee resettlement that is taking place within Kent under official government schemes.