Powys would help child migrants if needed

In August 2020, The Home Office wrote to councils in relation to unaccompanied child migrants.

They said that a crisis was brewing in Kent due to the numbers of vulnerable young people requiring care.

They asked other authorities to help by offering to look after some of the children.

At the time Powys County Council said that they would not be helping out.

As a result, Councillor Stephen Hayes had “many people” contacting him to criticise the decision, believing the council should have shown more compassion.

At a council meeting on Thursday, March 4, Cllr Hayes asked a follow-up question as to what work was being done on helping child migrants that have landed in Kent?

He had submitted a formal question to Children’s Social Services and Culture portfolio holder Councillor Rachel Powell, which had been answered in writing before the meeting.

Cllr Hayes was told: “The Housing Service would not be in position on its own to welcome or accommodate unaccompanied child migrants.”

Cllr Hayes said: “I’m afraid I’m extremely disappointed at the response I have received.

“It’s patronising and doesn’t address the points I have raised.

“Will you please respond to the questions I asked and acknowledge this is an issue that many residents are watching with extreme interest.”

Cllr Powell apologised for the original response, and said : “It was very factual.

“This is clearly an area we need to step up on.”

Cllr Powell explained that there had been a discussion across Wales following the request to help the team in Kent with the amount of unaccompanied migrants, both families and unaccompanied children landing at Dover.

Cllr Powell said: “The approach had been a national transfer scheme across Wales, whereby each county would agree to take a certain amount of children, with Cardiff and Newport leading on this.

“We were told from experience that most of the families and young people wanted to go for more urban locations.”

Commitments had been made that Cardiff and Newport, would not shoulder the whole burden, and “all authorities will contribute appropriately.”

Director of Social Services, Alison Bulman, said: “We’re looking all the time to increase the capacity of our provision, so that if there are unaccompanied children who would benefit or require a rural environment, we would accommodate those individuals as most appropriately as we can.”

Cllr Powell said that senior staff were keeping her fully briefed on the work and Powys’ involvement.

She suggested that the issue is brought before a scrutiny committee for discussion at a future date.