To approve joining the National Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) Transfer Scheme and accept the statutory responsibility for a number equivalent of up to 0.07% of the child population within the county.

The current system means that in most cases children remain in the care of the local council where they claim asylum, resulting in a small number of councils looking after the vast majority of the children – most notably Kent – and many councils looking after very few or no UASC.

This is not sustainable and so over the past 12 months there has been discussion and negotiation on a national level with Directors and Assistant Directors of Children’s Services and with the Local Government Association and central government about introducing a national transfer scheme; as shown in appendix 1.

The key principles underpinning the UASC transfer scheme are that there is a fair, equitable and transparent system for caring for children across the UK; the scheme is voluntary and locally led; distribution is based on a proportion of a county’s child population; builds on existing structures and regional models with a phased introduction and that knowledge and resources are pooled recognising existing commitments to the adult dispersal scheme; as indicated within appendix 2.

The transfer scheme offers an opportunity to Herefordshire Council to demonstrate compassion and opportunities to children and young people who will have experienced conflict and trauma both within their home countries and during their journey to the UK

The current scheme is voluntary. Should Herefordshire Council refuse to join there is a risk of reputational damage with central government, the media and members of the public. There are provisions within the Immigration Act 2016 to enforce the scheme if local councils do not agree to join on a voluntary basis. The Home Office has made it clear that it would use these powers only as a last resort, however the council would risk losing control of when children are transferred to its area.