Unaccompanied child asylum seekers on rise
THE number of unaccompanied children in Halton seeking asylum in the UK and waiting for their cases to be heard has risen because of the pandemic.
Halton Borough Council reported that 68 minors are now awaiting their circumstances to be assessed via the courts.
A report published ahead of an upcoming children, young people and families policy and performance board meeting on September 13 said the number relates to 40 separate cases.
Authors of the document said there had been a “significant rise” in the number of unaccompanied children applying for asylum (UASC) in the borough due to placements at the Daresbury Park Hotel.
The Refugee Council has reported that many UASCs are fleeing “appalling horrors” including seeing their “homes destroyed, loved ones killed, been tortured or trafficked”, while The Fostering Network said the largest number of unaccompanied children in the UK at present are from Albania, followed by Eritrea, Afghanistan and Syria.
After going into local authority care, many are placed with foster families.
Halton Council’s report said: “There are currently 40 ongoing cases in proceedings, that is, 68 children.
“The Covid-19 pandemic added additional challenges, with many hearings held virtually over the past 15 months and other, more complex cases, delayed.
“A number of cases are currently backlogged within the court process due to court availability.
“During the Covid pandemic, for a period of time, only urgent initial hearings were being held.
“Although, court has now recommenced, there remains a significant backlog of cases.”
Halton’s increase in the number of UASCs came against the backdrop of rising numbers of all children in care in Halton.
There are now 313 children in care in the borough, the report said.
This equates to about 1.1% of all minors in Halton, encompassing the towns of Runcorn and Widnes and neighbouring areas.
The report said Halton’s overall increase in recent years of all children in care was comparable to similar council areas, although numbers have been steady across England as a whole.