Poole council caring for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children

Dozens of youngsters have become the authority’s responsibility, with numbers peaking in the second half of 2017 and early 2018.

A report to the council’s children’s scrutiny committee says that the borough has had a rate of just under eight child asylum seekers per 10,000 residents.

Its publication follows calls from councillors for the authority to pledge to take-in “at least 30” more child refugees over the next 10 years.

The motion was put forward by Cllr Mike Brooke at November’s meeting of the council where it was referred to the scrutiny committee to allow the report to be written.

Cllr Brooke called for the council to support Lord Dubs’ Safe Passage initiative and take in three youngsters a year over the next decade.

His request will be considered at Wednesday’s committee meeting, following the publication of the council’s head of children’s social care, Kevin Jones, into its work with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

He says: “During the last two years, children and adults started to arrive via Poole port in much larger numbers hidden in trucks.

“The number of young people arriving during 2017 grew from fewer than five to 28.”

At the end of March, Poole had a rate of 7.95 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children per 10,000 residents compared to a national average of 3.78 and South West rate of 2.55.

Those who say they are under 18 become the responsibility of the council’s children’s services department upon their arrival and remain so until the age of 25.

Mr Jones adds: “The Borough of Poole should celebrate its commitment and success in providing safe refuge to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children including those who have arrived via Poole port.

“They have, in vast majority of situations, been placed in the local community where they have been supported by local services.”

The motion will be considered by councillors on Wednesday.