Item 4 - Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (L9/19)

 
Summary
 
This report summarises the background to the system for receiving and caring for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children in London and the developments in national arrangements.  It sets out the significant pressures – in both service and financial terms – that London is now facing. The report seeks guidance on the possible steps to take to ensure the London arrangements can be sustainable in the short term, summarises steps being taken to develop medium term operational solutions to the current challenges and plans for lobbying to recognise the need for adequate funding and a functioning national transfer scheme for UASC.
Recommendations 
 
The Leaders’ Committee is invited to –
• Agree that London Councils take steps to seek urgent additional financial support for London boroughs to ensure that the London rota remains functional during the forthcoming summer pressures.
• In partnership with the professional leadership, including Chief Executives and Directors of Children’s Services, support lobbying by London Councils to seek cross-departmental focus, involving MHCLG, the Home Office and Department for Education, to:
o Press for full funding of costs incurred in the support of UASC and former UASC Care Leavers.
o Identify reform to the National Transfer Scheme in order to put it on a functional and sustainable footing.
 
• Comment on the potential for a legal claim in respect of the national arrangements, and any role for London Councils to support, co-ordinate and/or fund raise in respect of such a claim.  
• Agree that sustained lobbying, including a significant media campaign, be undertaken by London Councils to:
o Highlight the crisis facing London boroughs and the UASC and former UASC Care leavers boroughs support.
o Make the case to Government to fully fund the cost to councils associated with caring for UASC and former UASC Care Leavers in as an essential step in order to reach agreement on any future arrangement for the more equitable distribution of UASC.