Laura Sharman 07 September 2016

Councils caring for 62% more children seeking asylum

There has been a 62% increase in the number of unaccompanied children seeking asylum being looked after by councils in the past year, new figures have revealed.

A freedom of information request by the BBC found at least 104 councils have reported a rise in the number of unaccompanied minors they are caring for.

The figures show Kent County Council is caring for one in five lone children seeking asylum, with Croydon Council looking after the second largest amount of these children.

The figures show that the largest group being cared for are boys aged 16 and 17, from countries such as Afghanistan or Eritrea.

The figures come as children’s charity Unicef said that although 88,265 asylum claims were made by unaccompanied children in the European Union in 2015, the UK only received 3.4% of these.

‘Children on the move are at risk of the worst forms of abuse and harm and can easily fall victim to traffickers and other criminals,’ said Lily Caprani, Unicef UK deputy executive director.

‘Many of these children wouldn't resort to such extreme measures if the UK Government made them aware that they may have a legal right to come to the UK safely and if they provided the resources to make that process happen before these terrible journeys begin.’

Unicef is calling on the UK Government to offer more resettlement places to refugee children facing dangers and do more to ensure that refugee children stranded in Europe can reach their families in the UK.

Photo: Malcolm P Chapman / Shutterstock.com

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Homelessness Prevention Worker

North Yorkshire Council
£30,559 - £33,366
We are looking to appoint a Homelessness Prevention Officer to join our Young People’s Pathway Team. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Homelessness Prevention Officer, Malton, (099920)

North Yorkshire Council
£30,559 - £33,366
We are looking to appoint a Homelessness Prevention Officer to join our Young People’s Pathway Team. Malton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Business Support Administrator

Telent
Negotiable
Business Support Administrator Hybrid / Agile working - the successful candidate will work between home and Warwick. Telent is a technology partner England, Warwickshire, Warwick
Recuriter: Telent

Senior Contract Supervisor Career graded

North Yorkshire Council
£37,035 - £41,511 per annum
We are looking for candidates who have previous experience in a housing maintenance role Selby, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Contract Supervisor Mid Level

North Yorkshire Council
£33,366 - £37,035 per annum
Supporting the Team Leader and Manager in the procurement and delivery of Repairs, Maintenance & Construction Selby, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.