Bath and North East Somerset Council is taking a stance against accepting more unaccompanied asylum seeking children into its care due to financial constraints. The council, which has taken in 32 such children in the last year, is struggling with an almost £5m overspend in its children’s services budget. Paul May, the council’s cabinet member for children’s services, announced the decision at a recent meeting, citing the need to address the financial strain and the lack of funding for young adults aged 18-25 who remain in their care. While the council acknowledges the duty to care for these children, it emphasizes the cost implications and pressure on resources.
The council’s independent reviewing service indicated that most of the unaccompanied children are not placed locally, and some express a desire to move to larger cities where they can maintain contacts and integrate into a community they identify with. However, it also noted the increased vulnerability of these children when placed in larger cities, particularly in relation to modern slavery and trafficking.
The move by the council reflects a regional concern, with other authorities also facing challenges in accommodating unaccompanied asylum seeking children. Mr. May highlighted the disparity in the allocation of such children among local authorities, pointing out that some areas are not fulfilling their quotas, leading to an imbalance in the distribution of these responsibilities.
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The decision to halt the acceptance of more unaccompanied asylum seeking children is aimed at prompting a reconsideration of how best to address this issue, particularly in light of the financial strain and inadequate government funding. The council’s move raises questions about the broader challenges faced by local authorities in meeting the needs of vulnerable children while managing limited resources.