Ukrainian children are ‘slipping through net’

UKRAINIAN children “are slipping through the net” and arriving without adults, according to safeguarding officers at Gloucestershire County Council.

Council officials told a recent public meeting that they are working out what type of care will be needed for the first two unaccompanied children to arrive in the county.

Children arriving without adults is something officials say should not be happening.

And they may need to inform the Ukrainian Embassy and take them into care.

Councillor Beki Hoyland (G, Blakeney and Bream) asked the children and families overview and scrutiny committee if safeguarding teams will need more support to help with Ukrainians coming to the county.

She said: “I’m flagging the Ukrainian situation as one that is adding pressure to the system.”

Council officers said they are

We’ve seen our two first children arrive without adults which isn’t what should be happening but they have slipped through the net ANN JAMES

still working out what is needed and what care is proportionate for families who host Ukrainians with children.

Safeguarding and care director Ann James said: “We’ve now got the situation around Ukrainian families. We’ve seen our two first children arrive without adults which isn’t what should be happening but they have slipped through the net.

“[We] need to work out, is that a family arrangement? Is that private fostering? Do we need to be notifying the Ukrainian embassy and taking those children into care? It does fall as a pressure into the fostering element of that service.”

Councillor Mark MackenzieCharrington (C, Stow-on-theWold) also asked what language support would be provided to refugees who arrive in the county.

Officers also told the committee that many of the refugees have some understanding of English but there is also support for those who need it.

They said Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers provide the initial support with translators.

A detailed welcome pack is also provided to refugees and their host families with information around school access and public services.