Our aim is to provide the best possible care and support for these children and young people so that their future is not be dictated by their past.
Our commitment to respect each child’s individual religion and cultural background means that we have forged links with a broad range of local communities. A sense of belonging is important to young people who are separated from their own families or culture and who risk feeling isolated from society.
We frequently support children from abroad, whose backgrounds, individual experiences and cultural needs differ widely. Children and young people in this situation have one thing in common - they are children in need and we have a legal duty to care and support them under the Children Act.
Unaccompanied children
Children and young people who arrive in the city without their parents or a guardian are often referred to as Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC). We have a duty to support them until they reach the age of 18 and are looked after children because of their situation. Those over 16 are supported through a specialist worker within children and young people service's Leaving Care Team. Children less than 16 years old are looked after within the care system.
Failed asylum applications
On occasions families who have failed in their application for asylum request financial support for themselves and their children. We have a duty under the Children Act to ensure the children are supported and protected from harm.
As the family have no recourse to public funds, they need to agree to sign up with National Asylum Support Service (NASS) to Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act. In the short term we have a duty to support the children of the family until they receive NASS payments.
EU accession countries
Families from the EU accession countries have no right to financial support until the parent/s have worked in the UK for 12 months, when they are then eligible to claim certain welfare benefits. Where the child/children of the family are assessed as children in need we have a duty under the Children Act to ensure the child’s safety. This may be through financial support to the child/children.
Contact us
If you think you need any of these services, or if you have concerns about a child, contact EHASH.
Access more information if you are worried about a child
For UASC and young people who have an allocated social worker please contact the UASC team on -
- 01482 612 800
