Item 6 - Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (E15/19)

Summary    

This report summarises the current arrangements for refugees and unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC) being received by the UK, the challenges in the UASC system and the Our Turn campaign, which councils across the UK are being asked to support and make pledges towards.

The Executive is asked to consider whether, taking into consideration that a number of boroughs have already made pledges, a collective approach to the terms which boroughs engage with the Our Turn campaign is possible, as well as on the receipt of UASC under current arrangements. In doing so, the Executive may wish to revisit previous calls from London local government, including the following factors – 
•    Future financial support must fully fund the costs of caring for all UASC.
•    That there must be a single, consistent national response which is equitable, proportionate and ensures no council remains above its 0.07% threshold.
•    That there should not be pressure for a disproportionate number of placements on London and the South East as a result of the Our Turn campaign.
•    That the Home Office should engage with London boroughs to reform the current processing arrangements in the Capital in order to ensure the more efficient assessment and transfer of UASC.

Recommendations    

The Executive is asked to:
•    Offer guidance on the points set out above;
•    agree that a report be submitted to Leaders’ Committee setting out a proposed position for agreement as a single set of terms which would form the basis for individual offers to the Our Turn campaign; and
•    provide a view on whether Lord Dubs’ offer to meet with 
Leaders’ Committee be taken up.