Agenda item

This paper seeks to update the Scrutiny Panel on the Council’s response to the government’s request that all Local Authorities participate in the new national dispersal system for un-accompanied asylum seeking children.

Councillor Dine Romero addressed the Panel.  She said on Saturday she had joined the Welcome Summit in Birmingham of all the Welcome Refugees groups in the UK. 500 other people were in attendance including a wide range of faith representatives and refugees from Syria, Poland, Nepal, and the Jewish community.

She said that stories of the refugee’s journeys were told and that this was extremely moving, and at times, quite upsetting. She heard of how families had been torn apart, some permanently and yet the refugees themselves always had something positive to say, invariably about the support and help they had received.

She stated that the most moving were the stories told by those that had come to Bath, and from those who support them here.

She said however it was clear that we, as a nation, are not doing enough as over 300 children have an acknowledged right to come to the UK, but are trapped, on their own, in the camps at Calais.

She stated that reaching Government figures and targets on those we will help is not good enough. We must do as much as we can, not as little as we should.

She wanted to ask the Panel to do everything it could to bring as many of these children to safety in Bath and NE Somerset, and also to support proposals to bring many more families to this area too.

She said she would be bringing a motion on doing more to Full Council in November which she hoped all Councillors would support.

Bernie Howley addressed the Panel. She said that B&NES had become involved with this issue before it was deemed compulsory and she thanked them for that. She urged them not to lose any momentum on the work they have done.

She stated that the support and structure that Councils can give can help children to settle into the area. She made a plea for members of the public to provide help through Fostering and Mentoring.

She explained that some children, referred to as “Dubs” were currently living in refugee camps in both Europe and other countries, were particularly vulnerable by virtue of the fact that they do not have an adult to provide them with the protection that they need and deserve.

She said that applications for young people aged 18 or approaching that age should be fast tracked.

The Chair said that the reason for there being a large number of young men in these camps was because they are the most likely to survive and therefore families in need would prioritise them in seeking to escape.

Bernie Howley said that they would also be seeking to leave affected countries as they would be asked to fight in war and would be killed if they refused to.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked what happens to an Asylum Seeking Unaccompanied Child who turns 18 midway through the process of fostering and integration and is then deemed an adult.

Richard Baldwin replied that the Council was currently helping an 18 year with his application.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked if any additional support was in place for local Foster Carers.

The Divisional Director for Safeguarding & Social Care replied that two events had been held specifically held in March and September to provide them with information.

The Chair said that carers need to be prepared for the reality of the situation regarding the young people that may come into their care. She added that any placement needs to be right for both parties.

Councillor Sally Davis commented that she would encourage the Council to take as many children as possible as long as appropriate support was in place.

Bernie Howley said that if young people were placed in supported lodgings then they would need to be mentored adequately as they would be likely targets for radicalisation.

The Chair asked would the government pledge the same level of financial support per child if a local authority chooses to take above the minimum quota of Un-accompanied Asylum-Seeking Children required.

The Divisional Director for Safeguarding & Social Care replied that he did not know. He said the intention of the Council is to receive 23 children over the next two years. He added that there were likely to be hidden costs within each case.

The Chair asked where does B&NES rank in terms of wealthiest Councils per head of population.

The Divisional Director for Safeguarding & Social Care replied that he imagined that it was in the top quartile.

The Chair asked how many children had left Kent under the National Dispersal System which was introduced in July.

The Divisional Director for Safeguarding & Social Care replied that 45 had been dispersed with 5 of them coming to B&NES.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson commented that she felt that the Council had made a creditable offer of help to the current situation as a number of Local Authorities had not taken any.

The Chair commented that she had previously worked in refugee camps and said that the people there simply want to be safe, for their children to be able to attend school, to receive medicine and to have food to eat. She thanked officers for all their work so far.