The change means that local authorities will be paid
the same amount for every UASC that
they look after, regardless of the child’s age or when
they entered the UK. Local authorities will receive
£114 for each child every day that they are in their
care which equates to over £41,600 per year per child.
Based on the number of UASC looked
after by local authorities, the increase in funding
will total over £30 million per year.
This is the second time in less than 3 years the Home
Office has significantly increased the funding
available for the care of UASC.
Immigration Minister said:
This Government is fully committed to helping the
most vulnerable children affected by the migration
crisis and that is why we have provided protection to
over 34,600 children since 2010.
I recognise the vital role local authorities play in
this effort and that is why I have increased the
funding available for looking after unaccompanied
asylum seeking children by over £30 million.
This funding will help make sure the Government and
local authorities across the UK can continue to work
together to support vulnerable children.
The announcement comes after the completion of a review
into the funding for UASC,
which involved consultation with a large number of
local authorities, NGOs, the Association of Directors
of Children’s Services and the Local Government
Association.
Local authorities will now be paid £114 per night for
every UASC they
support which is a 61% increase on the lowest rate that
is currently paid.
The substantial increase demonstrates the government’s
commitment to helping local authorities supporting
vulnerable asylum seeking children across the UK.
Children’s social care is funded through the local
government finance settlement and the Home Office
contribution is in addition to this funding.
Alongside the increase in funding and simplification of
the process, the Home Office is working to reduce the
time it takes to conclude UASC asylum
cases. The Home Office is working with stakeholders to
develop a new service standard to ensure a better
prioritisation of cases.
There is also ongoing work to progress the commitments
the government made in the Safeguarding Strategy. For
example, more information is being produced for
children and their social workers about the asylum
process.
The government has continually shown its commitment to
supporting vulnerable children affected by the
migration crisis, as shown by the fact that the UK
provided protection to over 6,600 children in 2018 and
over 34,600 since the start of 2010.
Under current arrangements local authorities are
awarded a different amount of money depending on the
age of the child and when they arrived in the UK. This
change will make the system simpler for councils and
comes following consultation with local authorities.
There are currently a range of rates,
with UASC aged
16 or over attracting a rate of £71 or £91. According
to latest published statistics, over 80%
of UASCare
aged 16 or over, which means that the vast majority of
local authorities will benefit significantly from this
uplift.
