More Child Refugees from Calais Placed In Hounslow
Under sixteens being resettled from 'the Jungle' after dismantling of camp
Four more unaccompanied children from the refugee camps at Calais have now been resettled in the borough.
Following the re-settlement of two children with relatives in Hounslow borough, the Council has taken in four children under 16 under the Dubs Amendment.
Dubs is an amendment to the Immigration Act 2016 allowing children be transferred from another country within the EU.
Four children arrived last week via Lunar House, in Croydon which is one of the centres for UK Visa and Immigration. They were met by children's services officers, who have been working to prepare for the arrival of the children.
Social workers in Hounslow have been working closely with the Home Office to ensure that any children coming to Hounslow are safely reunited if possible, with family member, or are found suitable foster care.
One child was reuinited with family members last week.
All the children are amongst the 100 identified minors who are being brought over by the Home Office under a registration scheme, following the dismantlement of the Jungle camp in Calais, either because they have family ties in the UK, or through a programme to give refuge to unaccompanied children from Europe.
Children services will now continue to monitor the children in their care and will be carefully assessing how best to support them further to ensure they receive access to health and medical services, education and other support services.
This will involve education, housing, voluntary sector and health services as required working together with children’s services staff to meet the needs of these vulnerable children and young people.
Councillor Tom Bruce, Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services, Hounslow Council, said: “We as a council are delighted to be able to help these young people who have had a horrible experience since leaving their country of origin.
“We want to ensure that these children and young adults are able to settle into communities easily and safely.
“Those that arrive from Calais will require the care and support packages we can offer and we will as a as a council, carry out the necessary assessments and ensure arrangements are made, are in the interest of the children and young people coming under our care
November 1, 2016
