We are working to ensure local authorities are able to deliver their duties and keep children safe.
Key messages
Councils have an important role in protecting families, children and vulnerable adults who are seeking asylum. We are working to ensure local authorities are able to deliver their duties and keep children safe.
Local authorities want to see a fully funded, national mechanism for the relocation of unaccompanied children across the country. This is needed urgently to ensure that children are able to live in areas with sufficient capacity to provide the care and support that they need. Recent figures suggest that almost 80 per cent of upper tier councils are currently looking after unaccompanied asylum seeking children, but nearly half of all unaccompanied asylum seeking children in England are in the care of just seven councils.
The challenges faced by councils caring for unaccompanied minors are not just financial, but also relate to the availability of foster placements; access to therapeutic support, legal advice and translation services; and pressure on health, education and housing services. These pressures can also have a significant impact on community cohesion in a local area.
