Agenda item

To consider a report from the Director of Children and Families setting out how recent changes to the asylum system have impacted children in Leeds, this is a follow up item to reports considered in the 2023/24 municipal year.

Before moving on to agenda item 7 the Chair noted that in the pre-meeting of the Board it was agreed that the report on the Impact of Asylum Changes on Children and Young People in Leeds would be considered as the first substantive item. So effectively a swap between items 7 and 8 as published in the agenda pack.

The Board considered a report from the Director of Children and Families setting out how recent changes to the asylum system have impacted children in Leeds, this is a follow up item to reports considered in the 2023/24 municipal year.

In attendance for this item were:

·  Councillor Helen Hayden, Executive Member for Children and Families

·  Farrah Khan, Deputy Director Social Care

·  Jacinta Kane, Head of Service Corporate Parenting

The Executive Member for Children and Families introduced the report, highlighting concerns around recent far right extremist activity across the country. In addition, the complexity of needs and funding pressures of £1.2m were noted along with national changes that have led to the Rwanda Scheme now being scrapped and  Government plans to process asylum schemes more efficiently.

Responding to comments and questions from board members the following points were covered:

·  On funding the Chair sought clarity on the figures in the report around funding shortfalls and costs to the Council. In response the Board were informed that the figures in the report are projections not final figures and are based on the complexity of some of the cases which could lead to higher costs. By way of follow up, given the shortfall in funding from Government when compared to projected costs, the Chair asked where the funding will be sourced to make the shortfall up, in response the Board were informed that this would be met through the Children and Families directorate budget.

·  The Board asked about the impact of recent far right activity on staff in terms of workloads and in terms of possible safety impacts on them and on any children living in adult accommodation due to incorrect age assessments. In response members were informed that staff are committed to corporate parenting and they have significant experience of carrying out age assessments, when a child or young person is assessed as being under 18 but living in adult hostel accommodation, the Board were assured that wrap around support is delivered as soon as any cases of that nature are determined.

·  Members were also informed about impacts of far right activity on both staff and young people in terms of creating an environment of fear. This is being worked through with young people with an emphasis on safety and vigilance and also promoting diversity and Leeds as a welcoming and diverse city.

·  The Board emphasised concerns about children and young people living in adult accommodation due to incorrect age assessment at Home Office level.

·  The Board asked if the change in Government at national level had led to any developments in terms of a change in approach on asylum, in light of recent changes linked to asylum from Afghanistan. The Board were informed that engagement with Government is ongoing with the Home Secretary having recently visited Leeds during which discussion on community cohesion was a key focus. Leeds has a strong tradition of being a welcoming and compassionate city and the Team Leeds approach was emphasised. It was also noted that further engagement with the Home Office is planned on the issue of age assessments whilst also recognising that the Home Office has had a busy period in recent months.

·  The Board asked for more details about the average age of unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC). In response the Board heard that the most common age for a UASC is 16-17 years old with a small number of younger children aged 13-14. Often the older age of UASC is linked to difficult decisions made by their families where age is a determinant on whether such a journey to seek asylum would be possible given the inherent danger and risk associated with those journeys. In addition, in terms of gender approximately 80% are male with approximately 20% being female which is again linked to family decision making. The Board were assured that no matter what laws exist in the country of origin in relation to adulthood the Children’s Act in the UK means that any UASC under 18 is treated as a child.

·  Board members asked about advice to staff and community hubs in relation to far right activity and security. Reassurance was given that across the Council and in schools work has been conducted on awareness and vigilance and increasing safety. A balanced and proportionate approach is taken on staff welfare and the welfare of children and young people. In respect of staff support the role of the Race Equality Staff Network was also noted. The commitment to diversity and being a welcoming city was again emphasised.

·  The Executive Member for Children and Families summed up thanking the Board for their ongoing interest in this issue.

Resolved - Scrutiny Board (Children and Families) noted and endorsed the update report and asked that a further update on this issue is brought back to the Board in the 2024/25 municipal year.

(This was passed unanimously, proposed by Cllr Cohen and seconded by Cllr Martin)