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<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), which have placed unprecedented pressure on the National
Transfer Scheme. Out of necessity with the children’s best interests in mind, we have
arranged for UASC to be accommodated on an emergency and temporary basis in hotels
whilst placements with local authorities are being vigorously pursued.</p><p>The rise
in dangerous small boats crossings means there are significant challenges on local
authority care places. The Government has had no alternative but to urgently use hotels
to give UASC arriving in the UK a roof over their heads. The Government wants to stop
using these hotels but the Home Office cannot do this alone. We are working round
the clock with councils to boost the number of long-term care spaces available, through
the New Plan for Immigration, and are offering them additional funding in addition
to existing monthly funding.</p><p>The National Transfer Scheme (NTS) enables a more
equitable distribution of responsibility for UASC between local authorities across
the UK. However, the high number of UASC arrivals, particularly as a result of small
boat crossings, continues to place unprecedented pressure on the NTS.</p><p>In November
2021, we took the decision to move to a directed NTS, in addition to the package of
NTS improvements implemented in July 2021. Since 15 February all local authorities
with children’s services in the UK have been directed to participate in the NTS. However,
intake remains very high, and the situation remains challenging.</p><p>We continue
to take action to ensure the NTS works effectively so that children are transferred
promptly and to end the use of hotels.</p><p>On 24 August 2022, we wrote to all UK
local authorities and devolved equivalents with children’s services, announcing changes
to the NTS. We have increased the threshold up to which councils have to accept UASC
into their care from the previous level of 0.07% to 0.1% of their general child population,
halved the transfer deadline to five working-days for all UASC not currently in the
care of a local authority, and for UASC awaiting transfer into local authority care,
we will provide councils with an additional £2000 per child per month for 3 months.</p><p>It
is not the case that these children are unsupervised. UASC temporarily accommodated
in hotels are supported with wrap-around care, including from professional care workers,
social workers, and nurses.</p>
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