Under new plans the Government may require councils to look after more child migrants who arrive in the UK unaccompanied if they do not step forward to do more voluntarily.
The UK’s Children’s Minister, Vicky Ford, has suggested the Government will have to mandate placements if not enough offers from the voluntary National Transfer Scheme.
Speaking at the Association of Directors of Children’s Services annual conference, she said: “consider whether there is more you can do now” to protect unaccompanied asylum-seeking children who need care and support.
When asked what the Government would do if there are not enough offers of placements, Ms Ford said it will have to “go through a mandation”.
Earlier last month, Kent Country Council, which has been responsible for taking children for the shores of the south coast, warned that it had “reached the limit” for the amount of unaccompanied child migrants it is able to look after.
Those councils who are supporting children or care leavers with can apply for extra money from the Home Office, to ensure that “there should not be any financial reasons why you can’t step forward”, she said.
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HeadlineCouncils may need to care for more child migrants
Short HeadlineCouncils could care for more child migrants
StandfirstCouncils in England may be forced to care for more unaccompanied child migrants, unless councils start to share resources
Under new plans the Government may require councils to look after more child migrants who arrive in the UK unaccompanied if they do not step forward to do more voluntarily.
The UK’s Children’s Minister, Vicky Ford, has suggested the Government will have to mandate placements if not enough offers from the voluntary National Transfer Scheme.
Speaking at the Association of Directors of Children’s Services annual conference, she said: “consider whether there is more you can do now” to protect unaccompanied asylum-seeking children who need care and support.
When asked what the Government would do if there are not enough offers of placements, Ms Ford said it will have to “go through a mandation”.
Earlier last month, Kent Country Council, which has been responsible for taking children for the shores of the south coast, warned that it had “reached the limit” for the amount of unaccompanied child migrants it is able to look after.
Those councils who are supporting children or care leavers with can apply for extra money from the Home Office, to ensure that “there should not be any financial reasons why you can’t step forward”, she said.
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