New figures published today show the number of unaccompanied asylum seeking children supported by Haringey has increased to 46 this week. These include 3 children from Calais who arrived here this week under the ‘Dubs Amendment’. In January 2016 Haringey was supporting 31 unaccompanied asylum seeking children. Unaccompanied asylum seeking children are under 18 and have no family in the UK. Haringey provides extensive support to these vulnerable children including fostering to give them a secure home and educational support.
Last week the leader of Haringey Council, Claire Kober, wrote to the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, to offer help in settling 100 children in London who are eligible to come to the UK under the Dubs Amendment.
Claire Kober said, "I am proud Haringey is supporting over 46 unaccompanied asylum seeking children, including 3 children who arrived from Calais this week. We are working around the clock to give these vulnerable children a safe home and the support they need. I have written to the Home Secretary to urge the government to give councils the funding they need to help unaccompanied refugee children rebuild their lives.”
The Dubs Amendment is a law was passed in May 2016 and allows unaccompanied children to be offered safe refuge in the UK. It says: “The Secretary of State must, as soon as possible after the passing of this Act, make arrangements to relocate to the United Kingdom and support a specified number of unaccompanied refugee children from other countries in Europe.”
