Since 2015, when Europe's ongoing refugee crisis took hold, the number of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASCs) looked after by local authorities has more than doubled and is still rising. The complexity of their needs, many of whom have experienced trauma, is creating multiple challenges for looked-after children's services.
As of 31 March 2017, there were 4,560 UASCs in care, up six per cent on last year, according to Department for Education statistics published in September.
The DfE notes that the rise in UASCs in care over the past two years has influenced an overall increase in the number of looked-after children in England, with more children starting to be in care in 2017 than ceasing, compared to 2016 when there was a one per cent shift the other way.
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