Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director for People

The Scrutiny Board considered a report of the Executive Director for People which detailed new schemes relating to Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking and Refugee Children.  The Board also considered a briefing note containing additional information and recommendations.  The Cabinet were due to consider the report on 29^th November, 2016.

The report noted that the City Council had always welcomed and cared for unaccompanied asylum seeking children who had arrived in Coventry and the Council was clear in its commitment to welcome refugees to the City.  The need to now welcome and support many more unaccompanied asylum seeking children displaced as a result of events abroad was critical.

The Government had made a number of commitments in relation to supporting and caring for children.  The three schemes relating to these children had been issued by Central Government for local authorities to consider and adopt and were detailed in the report.  Coventry had registered for the National Transfer Scheme (NTS) and intended to welcome children and families identified under the Vulnerable Children’s Resettlement Scheme (VCRS).  The report detailed the financial implications of the support.

The additional briefing note recognised that starting in July 2014, Coventry was the second local authority to take Syrian refugees and accordingly had built up a network of support and other extended services to assist in the resettlement of vulnerable refugees fleeing conflict.  The Council relied heavily on the expertise and support of local voluntary sector agencies to support this programme.  Citizens Advice Coventry, Coventry Law Centre and Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre provided key support to Syrian refugees in the City along with assistance from a number of other partners including City of Sanctuary, Positive Youth Foundation and local faith groups.  Importantly Coventry schools had also played a key role in meeting the needs of newly arrived communities, as had local NHS services.

There was cross-party support from the Scrutiny Board for the proposals and they agreed that the decision of the Leader, Cabinet Member’s and officers was the right thing for the City to do, continuing Coventry’s tradition as a city of Peace and Reconciliation.

The Scrutiny Board questioned the Cabinet Members, Deputy Cabinet Member and officers on the following:

·  Costs and grants

·  Criticism and opposition

·  Corporate Parent responsibilities for the young people including progress in school

·  Considerations prior to placement including family and religious support

·  Expertise and support of local voluntary sector agencies

The Scrutiny Board requested data on progress of these children in school in the education performance report to be considered in January, 2017.

RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Board agreed the recommendations in the report and the additional recommendations in the briefing note

(1)  Approve and endorse the three schemes proposed by Central Government to support and care for unaccompanied asylum seeking and refugee children

(2)  Note that the City Council has registered for the National Transfer Scheme (this decision having been made by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader as a decision having been required in an emergency)

(3)  Delegate responsibility to the Executive Director People to confirm the total number of unaccompanied children that could be placed in the City for the remainder of this financial year.

(4)  Confirm the City Council’s commitment to welcoming children and families identified under the Vulnerable Children’s Resettlement Scheme.

(5)  To note the financial implications of resolving to support and care for unaccompanied asylum seeking and refugee children as detailed in this report.

(6)   Cabinet consider the additional information

(7)   Notify that meeting the needs of this vulnerable group places our potential financial burden on the LA and partners (NHS and Schools)

(8)  Promote locally and nationally for all councils to take an equal share of responsibility for these children

(9)   Petition central government for a full family formula