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<p>In accordance with the Immigration Act 2016 the Government conducted a comprehensive
consultation with local authorities across the UK in order to assess capacity for
the care of unaccompanied children. On 13 May 2016, the then Immigration Minister
wrote to all local authorities to provide an update on the launch of the National
Transfer Scheme (NTS) and to encourage local authorities to participate in all schemes
designed for children. On 7 June 2016, the then Immigration Minister, the Minister
for Vulnerable Children and Families and the then Minister with responsibility for
Syrian Refugees attended a national launch event in London which was attended by local
authorities from across the UK. This was followed by regional events in England and
in Scotland and Wales.</p><p>On 8 September last year, the Immigration Minister wrote
to all local authorities in England, Wales and Scotland asking them to confirm how
many places they could offer to accommodate unaccompanied asylum seeking children.
Home Office officials also maintained an ongoing dialogue with individual local authorities
and regional Strategic Migration Partnerships throughout.</p><p>This is a voluntary
scheme whereby local authorities sign up to accept unaccompanied asylum seeking children
on a voluntary basis.</p><p>We asked local authorities to consider carefully whether
they have the infrastructure and support networks needed to ensure the appropriate
care of these unaccompanied children before participating in the NTS.</p><p><br> Our
consultation with local authorities indicated that there was capacity for an additional
400 UASC. This is in addition to the unaccompanied children already in local authority
care. We estimate that at least 50 of the family reunion cases will require a local
authority placement in circumstances where the reunion does not work out.We estimate
that at least 50 of the family reunion cases transferred from France as part of the
Calais clearance will require a local authority placement in cases where the family
reunion does not work out.We estimate that at least 50 of the family reunion cases
transferred from France as part of the Calais clearance will require a local authority
placement in cases where the family reunion does not work out.</p><p>Every region
in England is participating in the NTS and we are working very closely with local
authorities in Scotland and Wales who have also responded positively.</p><p> </p><p>It
is for individual local authorities to decide the number of children they are able
to accommodate but we continue to work with those not currently participating in the
NTS to support them to do so at the earliest opportunity.</p>
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