Child asylum seekers pushing British social services to 'breaking point'
THE vast number of child asylum seekers arriving at the gateway to Britain has pushed social services to "breaking point," officials have warned.
There are now 980 unaccompanied asylum seeking children on Kent County Council’s books
There are now 980 unaccompanied asylum seeking children on Kent County Council's books - up from nearly 630 at the start of August - and the situation is unsustainable, it said.
Most of the youngsters are 16 and 17-year-old boys smuggled across the English Channel before being dumped so the local authority has to look after them.
By law, the council has to care for under-18s who arrive in the county through the ports of Dover or Folkestone seeking asylum.
Many are traumatised and unable to speak English, adding the cost of treatment and translation services to the bill for housing them.
Most of the youngsters are 16 and 17-year-old boys
Earlier this year the council said the problem had left it with an £8million budget shortfall in its budget.
The growing crisis is putting an almost unbearable strain on town hall services as well as police and local NHS.
It is set to reach breaking point over the Christmas holidays.
A report from Kent County Council said the "unprecedented" influx of young asylum seekers was impacting on British children already supported by the local authority.
While praising staff, the report said: "It should be stated clearly that services are at breaking point and the current position is not sustainable."
A total of 180 unaccompanied child asylum seekers are currently without an assigned social worker
Because of the growing numbers social workers and medics are struggling to meet minimum standards for the number of visits, health assessments and reviews.
The problem has become so bad, 19 other local authorities have agreed to help out and take on 49 youngsters.
Some children have had to be placed as far away as Hertfordshire, which has created complications over how their support is delivered.
The crisis has also forced the council to hire more than 20 extra social workers, three team managers and a service manager.
Many are traumatised and unable to speak English
Clearly Kent County Council is struggling to provide that care single-handedly so it's vital that other local authorities step forward to help share responsibility for protecting these vulnerable young people
Although council chiefs are trying to recruit even more social workers they are finding it difficult to find qualified and experienced staff locally, the report added.
A total of 180 unaccompanied child asylum seekers are currently without an assigned social worker and waiting a full assessment in the county.
So-called "gateway" authorities like Kent which has the port of Dover, Croydon near Gatwick and Hillingdon next to Heathrow are facing "unreasonable" and "excessive" demands.
Helen Johnson of the Refugee Council said: "Unaccompanied children in Britain have often fled unimaginable horrors overseas and have endured frightening and dangerous journeys.
"It is essential that their needs come first and that they are able to access the specialist care and support they are entitled to and so desperately need.
"Clearly Kent County Council is struggling to provide that care single-handedly so it's vital that other local authorities step forward to help share responsibility for protecting these vulnerable young people."