Rise in refugee children falling into destitution

The report, Destitution Amongst Asylum-Seeking and Refugee Children, is based on findings from the Children's Society's West Midlands Destitution Project, opened in October 2008.

Since opening, the project has helped 264 children whose families have no means of survival because the adults are not allowed to work, and have been unable to get the help they need from the state. Demand for the service increased rapidly throughout the first year. Families were provided with crisis grants and resources, as well as supported to access advice to help them resolve their situation.

The Children's Society claimed that staff at its other centres helping destitute children and families say the increase in demand in the West Midlands is reflective of a wider trend. The charity claims that thousands of children and babies are living without basic essentials such as food, housing, nappies and clothes.

"This report is based on the hard, bitter experience of working with destitute families over the last year. Staff based at our projects say they are overwhelmed by the scale of the distress they are dealing with," said Bob Reitemeier, chief executive of the Children's Society. "We call on the new government to review these policies which are leaving children and families without financial support for years, in some cases."

The project provides support for families who have been refused asylum but cannot return home immediately. Some families are eligible for support under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, but this amounts to around £35 a week in vouchers and hostel accommodation. Some groups are excluded from any local authority support. According to the Children's Society, the only option of support for children in these groups is to live in destitution with their parents, or go into care without them.