Call for more funds amid rise in child asylum seekers

THE NUMBER of asylum-seeking children who are being cared for in Barnsley away from their parents has risen in a 12-month period – prompting a charity to urge the government to provide more funding to councils footing the bill.

Statistics from the Department for Education show there were 17 ‘unaccompanied’ asylum-seeking children in Barnsley being cared for by the council as of March 31 – an increase from 11 the year before.

The town’s rates follow the overall trend in England, where the number of lone child asylum seekers rose by almost a third.

Action for Children said the figures were ‘depressing’ and depict an ‘overstretched and underfunded’ care system that is letting down vulnerable children.

Paul Carberry, chief executive of the charity, said: “We need to see a clear shift from the current system.

“That means urgent cash from central government and a fire lit under its social care reform plans.

“It must ensure proper funding for early help services to reduce the numbers of children going into care, better support for those leaving care to return home so they don’t end up back in the care system, and improved standards of care.

“This approach will not only benefit those children and their future life chances, but also the taxpayers, who are currently footing the bill for an expensive and broken care system.”

The figures show unaccompanied child asylum seekers made up four per cent of all looked-after children in Barnsley.

Unaccompanied child asylum seekers were generally older, with just 14 per cent under 16 years old – and the majority, 96 per cent, were male.

A winter clothing appeal has subsequently been started by the Barnsley Borough City of Sanctuary group, whose members have urged locals to donate.

A spokesperson added: “We are looking to gather suitable warm clothing for children of all ages such as fleeces, puffer jackets and warm trousers.

“Wellington boots or other boots and strong shoes are also a big hit.

“Items can be left at St Andrew’s

Church in Penistone on a Tuesday up to 3.30pm or we can collect at a mutually convenient time.

“We encourage communities to take pride in offering a place of safety for people whose lives are threatened, and celebrating their contribution to our towns and cities.

“The focus is on those people who are forced to seek sanctuary rather than voluntary migration or diversity in general.”

The Local Government Association, which represents local authorities, said the latest figures emphasise how vital it is that the autumn statement ensures that children’s services are adequately funded so councils can meet this rising demand and ensure children and their families get the support they need’.

A DfE spokesperson added: “Every child deserves a safe and secure home, no matter their background, and local authorities have a responsibility to provide appropriate support for all children in their care.

“We are supporting them by improving the recruitment of foster carers and increasing the number of places available locally in both secure and open children’s homes.”