Uplift in UASC funding rate confirmed

08 May 2019 in Safeguarding and Child Protection > Asylum >

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Rachel Dickinson, President of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services, said:

“Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people can be very vulnerable; they’ve fled their home countries and risked their lives in search of safety. As local authorities we take our duty to care for all children seriously and we give a cautious welcome to the long-awaited news of this uplift in funding as some recognition of the financial pressures we face. It is step in the right direction and acknowledges the fact that the costs of caring for and supporting 16- and 17-year olds are the same as for under 16s. This is important because the majority of unaccompanied minors who arrive spontaneously are in the 16/17 year old age group.

“Without their own family around to help them to transition to adulthood, unaccompanied children and young people leaving care at 18 years old require extra help to prepare for further study or employment and to find their own place to live. We are supporting growing numbers of care leavers and will continue to discuss an uplift in this rate with the Home Office as well.”

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