Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member printed attachment file name title grouped question UIN question first answered question first ministerially corrected answering member label previous answer version answering member printed answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1125840

	registered interest
	date	09/05/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Children
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 8 May (HLWS1504), whether they expect local authorities will offer extra placements to Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC); and whether offers from individual British families to adopt or to foster UASC will be taken up.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL15630
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2019 answer text <p>The Home Office recognises the highly valuable work that local authorities undertake in supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) and that is why we significantly increased the funding paid as a contribution to their costs. It is hoped that this will enable more local authorities to feel able to offer placements for vulnerable UASC, and we will be working with them and partners to encourage this.</p><p>It is unlikely that adoption will be an appropriate option for unaccompanied children. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees, as well as other humanitarian charities, advise that no new adoption applications should be considered in the period after a disaster or fleeing from war. It is not uncommon for children in these circumstances to be temporarily separated from their parents or other family members who may be looking for them. Efforts to reunite children with relatives or extended family should therefore be given priority.</p><p>Foster parents are recruited by fostering services which include local authorities or independent fostering agencies. The decision to let someone foster a child, including UASC, is a very important one to get right. Anyone who wants to become a foster parent must undergo a full assessment and be approved by a fostering service before any child can be placed in their care. Regulations set out in detail the requirements of the approval process, including the information that must be collected in the assessment and the requirement for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. In 2013 Department for Education streamlined and strengthened the assessment and approval process for foster carers, introducing a two-stage process to ensure efficiency and transparency.</p><p>Existing foster parents may also be able to provide suitable homes for unaccompanied children and over the past two years the Department for Education has funded over 2000 training places for existing foster parents and support workers who wish to care for UASC, with places being prioritised for local authorities participating in the National Transfer Scheme.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 23/05/2019 15:45:23 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1175153

	registered interest
	date	21/01/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Children
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government how many unaccompanied children, in addition to those admitted under section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016, (1) have arrived in the UK since the passage of that Act from (a) Europe, and (b) outside of Europe; and (2) how many were received by (i) hospitals, (ii) local authorities, (iii) their own families, and (iv) other carers.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL638
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/02/2020 answer text <p>Information on the number of asylum claims lodged by unaccompanied children in each quarter, and the number of children resettled in the UK (not broken down by unaccompanied / accompanied) is available in the Home Office’s published immigration statistics - <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/848254/asylum-applications-datasets-sep-2019.xlsx" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/848254/asylum-applications-datasets-sep-2019.xlsx</a>.</p><p>These statistics include the nationality of asylum claimants but not the country from which they arrived, which would only be available at disproportionate cost. In addition, the exact location of where each child is first encountered is not recorded centrally. Irrespective of where unaccompanied children first present, a local authority will assess whether they need to be provided with support under the Children Act 1989.</p><p>The Home Office also publishes information on the number of asylum claimants transferred to the UK from EU Member States under the Dublin Regulation - <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/781310/asylum5-dec-2018-tables.ods" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/781310/asylum5-dec-2018-tables.ods</a></p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford attachment 1 file name asylum-applications-datasets-sep-2019 (1).xlsx title Asylum-applications-datasets-sep-2019.xlsx. 2 file name asylum5-dec-2018-tables (1).xlsx title Asylum - Dec 2018 - Tables question first answered 04/02/2020 17:36:43 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1184991

	registered interest
	date	13/03/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Children
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many offers to receive vulnerable unaccompanied children who are currently in Europe have been received in (1) 2019, and (2) 2020, by the Home Office from (a) local authorities, (b) care and fostering agencies, and (c) private individuals.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL2580
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2020 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">The Home Office works closely with local authorities and third sector partners in order to identify suitable placements for unaccompanied children for transfer to the UK from Europe under our existing obligations.</del></p><p><del class="ministerial">The Government remains fully committed to relocating the specified number of 480 unaccompanied children to the UK under section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016 (the Dubs Amendment) as soon as possible. We will publish a full data set on the transfers once we have fulfilled this commitment.</del></p><p><del class="ministerial">Over 220 children were transferred to the UK under section 67 when the Calais camp was cleared in late 2016. Since then we have been making further progress with Greece and the other participating states, to transfer more eligible children to move closer to achieving this commitment</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The Home Office works closely with local authorities and third sector partners in order to identify suitable placements for unaccompanied children for transfer to the UK from Europe under our existing obligations. The Home Office also has regular engagement with a range of third sector partners.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The Government remains fully committed to relocating the specified number of 480 unaccompanied children to the UK under section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016 (the Dubs Amendment) as soon as possible. We will publish a full data set on the transfers once we have fulfilled this commitment.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">Over 220 children were transferred to the UK under section 67 when the Calais camp was cleared in late 2016. Since then we have been making further progress with Greece and the other participating states, to transfer more eligible children to move closer to achieving this commitment</ins></p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 27/03/2020 14:23:54 question first ministerially corrected 03/04/2020 13:24:31 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford previous answer version 15260 answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1184992

	registered interest
	date	13/03/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Children
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what offer the Home Office received from TACT Care, a fostering charity, to place vulnerable unaccompanied children from Europe in appropriate homes in the UK.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL2581
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2020 answer text <p>The Home Office works closely with local authorities and third sector partners in order to identify suitable placements for unaccompanied children for transfer to the UK from Europe under our existing obligations.</p><p>The Government remains fully committed to relocating the specified number of 480 unaccompanied children to the UK under section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016 (the Dubs Amendment) as soon as possible. We will publish a full data set on the transfers once we have fulfilled this commitment.</p><p>Over 220 children were transferred to the UK under section 67 when the Calais camp was cleared in late 2016. Since then we have been making further progress with Greece and the other participating states, to transfer more eligible children to move closer to achieving this commitment</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford grouped question UIN HL2580 HL2582 HL2583 question first answered 27/03/2020 14:23:54 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1184993

	registered interest
	date	13/03/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Children
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect the Home for Good charity to receive the vulnerable unaccompanied children that it identified as having already been processed by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Europe.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL2582
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2020 answer text <p>The Home Office works closely with local authorities and third sector partners in order to identify suitable placements for unaccompanied children for transfer to the UK from Europe under our existing obligations.</p><p>The Government remains fully committed to relocating the specified number of 480 unaccompanied children to the UK under section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016 (the Dubs Amendment) as soon as possible. We will publish a full data set on the transfers once we have fulfilled this commitment.</p><p>Over 220 children were transferred to the UK under section 67 when the Calais camp was cleared in late 2016. Since then we have been making further progress with Greece and the other participating states, to transfer more eligible children to move closer to achieving this commitment</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford grouped question UIN HL2580 HL2581 HL2583 question first answered 27/03/2020 14:23:54 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1184994

	registered interest
	date	13/03/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Children
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the comments by Compassion in Politics reported in The Guardian on 29 December 2019 about delays in accepting vulnerable unaccompanied children from Europe, particularly from Greece, for care in the UK.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL2583
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2020 answer text <p>The Home Office works closely with local authorities and third sector partners in order to identify suitable placements for unaccompanied children for transfer to the UK from Europe under our existing obligations.</p><p>The Government remains fully committed to relocating the specified number of 480 unaccompanied children to the UK under section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016 (the Dubs Amendment) as soon as possible. We will publish a full data set on the transfers once we have fulfilled this commitment.</p><p>Over 220 children were transferred to the UK under section 67 when the Calais camp was cleared in late 2016. Since then we have been making further progress with Greece and the other participating states, to transfer more eligible children to move closer to achieving this commitment</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford grouped question UIN HL2580 HL2581 HL2582 question first answered 27/03/2020 14:23:54 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1224725

	registered interest
	date	14/07/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Children
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to introduce a system of independent legal guardianship of unaccompanied migrant children in England and Wales similar to that which exists in Scotland and Northern Ireland; and what assessment, if any, they have made of the impact the introduction of such provisions would have on the system of independent advocates.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL6850
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/07/2020 answer text <p>This Government takes its responsibility for the welfare of migrant children very seriously and has stringent safeguards in place.</p><p>Local authorities are responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all unaccompanied migrant children in their area. Unaccompanied migrant children looked after by local authorities are entitled to the same services as any other looked after child. Under these arrangements, they are assessed with regard to their individual needs and provided with access to education, accommodation and health services. They will be assigned a social worker; an independent reviewing officer responsible for overseeing their care arrangements; an independent advocate responsible for accurately representing the child’s wishes and feelings; and, in many cases, they will also benefit from support from a foster carer.</p><p>In addition, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children can access legal advice from qualified legal representatives and, in England, independent advice and assistance on the asylum process and in their interactions with government agencies, is available from the Refugee Council’s Children’s Advice Project.</p><p>We are confident that these comprehensive arrangements ensure unaccompanied children are provided with the support and advice that they need. Consequently, the Government has no plans at present to introduce a system of independent legal guardianship for all unaccompanied migrant children in England and Wales.vv</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 28/07/2020 16:54:52 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1284665

	registered interest
	date	08/02/2021
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Children
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many unaccompanied asylum-seeking children reached Britain in each of the last three years; and what plans they have to ensure the (1) identification, (2) safety, and (3) wellbeing, of these children.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL13095
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/02/2021 answer text <p>The number of unaccompanied children who make asylum claims is published in the quarterly immigration statistics. The latest statistics can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/asylum-and-resettlement-datasets#asylum-applications-decisions-and-resettlement</p><p>Protecting vulnerable children is a key priority for the Government and the Home Office takes its responsibility for the welfare of children very seriously. Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 requires the Secretary of State to make arrangements for ensuring that immigration, asylum and nationality functions are discharged having regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children who are in the UK.</p><p>All Home Office staff with responsibility for interviewing and making decisions on asylum claims from children will have received specific training as a precursor to considering claims from children.</p><p>In line with our published guidance on handling asylum claims from children, once a child is encountered, the relevant local authority children’s services will be contacted and informed of the arrival and a referral made. Any modern slavery or urgent welfare concerns must be dealt with as a matter of priority.</p><p>Thereafter Home Office staff have an ongoing obligation to escalate any welfare concerns they have to the local authority children’s services throughout the course of the asylum process. In 2019, the UK received more asylum applications from unaccompanied children than any other country in Europe.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 22/02/2021 17:26:50 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1542559

	registered interest
	date	15/11/2022
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Children
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the practice of placing unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in hotels, with little or no supervision.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL3420
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/11/2022 answer text <p>The UK is experiencing an unprecedented increase in the number of people making life-threatening journeys to cross the Channel. These boats are often carrying unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC). Out of necessity and with the children’s best interests in mind, we have arranged for them to be accommodated on an emergency and temporary basis in hotels whilst placements with local authorities are being vigorously pursued. These emergency interim hotels only accommodate unaccompanied asylum seeking children.</p><p>We have robust safeguarding procedures in place to ensure all unaccompanied asylum-seeking children accommodated temporarily in these hotels are as safe and supported as possible whilst we seek urgent placements with a local authority. Young people are supported with wrap-around care by team leaders and support workers who are on site 24 hours a day. Further care is provided in hotels by teams of social workers and nurses.</p> answering member printed Lord Murray of Blidworth question first answered 29/11/2022 17:50:02 answering member 4950 label Biography information for Lord Murray of Blidworth
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1580947

	registered interest
	date	25/01/2023
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Children
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to provide independent guardians or advocates for all migrant children separated from their parents; if so, when they expect this to be offered throughout England and Wales; and whether specialist foster parents will be available.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL5076
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/02/2023 answer text <p>This Government takes its responsibility for the welfare of migrant children very seriously. We have comprehensive statutory and policy safeguards in place for caring for and safeguarding unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC).</p><p>Social workers and the courts are best placed to make decisions for vulnerable children, in consideration of all the factors involved in often complex cases. Children should be cared for in a way that recognises and respects their identity and carers should be given the training and support they need to meet the child’s needs.</p><p>Local authorities are responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children in their area, including their mental health and emotional wellbeing needs, regardless of their immigration status. Independent Child Trafficking Guardians (ICTGs) are provided in addition to this statutory support and are an additional source of advice and support for potentially trafficked children, irrespective of nationality, and somebody who can advocate on their behalf.</p><p>Due to the specialist nature of the ICTG service there is currently no intention to expand the scope to include all young asylum-seeking children in England and Wales whether or not they are separated from their parents.</p><p>There are other provisions already in place to provide support for migrant children. Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children can access legal advice from qualified legal representatives and, in England, independent advice and assistance on the asylum process and in their interactions with government agencies is available from the Refugee Council’s Independent Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children Support Service (IUSS).</p> answering member printed Lord Murray of Blidworth question first answered 08/02/2023 17:56:31 answering member 4950 label Biography information for Lord Murray of Blidworth
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton