Councils call for clarity over refugee support arrangements

The first of the Syrian refugees to be rehomed in the UK over the next five years arrived in the country last week, but the Local Government Association (LGA) says councils are still in the dark over key details around funding and when and where they will be arriving.

Such information is needed to ensure they have the right number of available school places, support services and are able to effectively assess and place unaccompanied children.

David Simmonds, chairman of the LGA’s asylum, migration and refugee task group, said: “Councils across the country are coming forward with offers to help Syrian refugees and we are pressing Government on exactly how the scheme will operate. We need to know who is arriving and when in order to ensure that we have the right homes, school places, and other support that may be required.

"There are a number of issues that need to be urgently resolved, in particular the need for a firm commitment that councils resettling refugees will receive full financial support, in order that it is not seen later as an unfair burden on communities that open their doors."

Alison O'Sullivan, president of the Association of Directors of Children's Services, said it is vital that local authorities have information about refugees' needs in advance of their arrival "so that the right type of support is in place for them".

She added: "We know that Syrian refugees are extremely vulnerable and include unaccompanied asylum seeking children and single mothers and families with young children. All of these individuals are fleeing war zones and have experienced terrible atrocities in their home countries including being subject to physical or sexual violence, and their lives have genuinely been in danger. As a result they are at greater risk of developing mental health problems and experiencing poor health and wellbeing. This is greatly concerning because if the right type of support is not in place to help the, overcome the trauma they have experienced they could be at greater risk of serious safeguarding issues.

"Local authorities have a clear responsibility to care for children in their local areas, including refugees, and of course we must consider the financial implications of this but above all else we must remember that every child, every young person and every family has their own story."

A Home Office spokesman said that the government is “working closely” with councils “to make sure we are ready to welcome more Syrians who desperately need our assistance”.

Meanwhile, the charity Home for Good has already offered its support to councils in the search for extra foster placements for unaccompanied children from Syria. It has received 10,000 offers for support after it launched an appeal earlier this month for potential carers to come forward.

A spokeswoman for the charity said: “What is happening now is that all those who have come forward are being processed and then put in touch with the relevant local authority.

“It is very early stages but it is about trying to be ahead of the curve in terms of being prepared.”

The 20,000 refugees are arriving as part of the government's Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme.