Government considers taking additional 3,000 child refugees

Speaking on Sky News yesterday, International Development Secretary Justine Greening said the government is currently considering calls to take a further 3,000 child refugees.

Children's services leaders have responded by saying it is "right" that help is offered, but called for consideration when decisions are made on which local authorities should be responsible for child refugees.

Alison O’Sullivan, president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS), said: “We are facing a humanitarian crisis and it is only right that we offer our help. But when considering where to place unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, arrangements must be flexible and take into consideration local circumstances.

"It is important this is tied into the current national and regional approaches to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children more generally and that we find a way of sharing good practice so that we are better equipped to meet the needs of these most vulnerable children.

"Going forward, we will continue to work with the government on a proper national response.”

Calls for the UK to take in 3,000 unaccompanied children would be in addition to the 20,000 refugees the UK has already pledged to take direct from refugee camps.

Calls for the UK to take in additional children were backed by members of the international development select committee earlier this month.