THERE has been a steady increase in unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC) in Warrington over the past five years following ‘spontaneous arrivals’.

A council report on UASC and young people will come before the protecting the most vulnerable policy committee at its Town Hall meeting on Wednesday.

The purpose of it is to ‘summarise the offer and outcomes’ being achieved in relation to children who are affected by European Union Settled Status (EUSS) and to consider the impact and support for UASC who arrive in the borough.

At the time of writing the report, which is dated October 7, the number of UASC aged under 18 years old is 19, while the number of care leavers aged 18 to 21 years old totals 30.

The report says: “The majority of our children continue to present spontaneously in Warrington and usually present in the first instance to the police.

“We have 12 children/care leavers that were identified to apply for settled status through the EUSS.

“Since 2016, we have engaged with the national transfer scheme to support UASC arriving at ports in Kent and the south coast of England. We have supported 19 children on this scheme to date.”

The report also states, as there is a ‘brief period’ to work with UASC until they are 18, it is essential that there is a clear move on plan to leaving care.

If a young person is still awaiting a decision from the Home Office, the council continues to support in all areas until such a time that a decision is made regarding their status.

“The presentation of UASC within Warrington has seen a steady increase over the past five years and in the main is due to spontaneous arrivals into the borough,” adds the report.

“It is acknowledged that this may be primarily due to Warrington’s position within the motorway network system.

“Warrington continues to be committed to being part of the national transfer scheme and has been involved in the consultation process and has had a voice in how we support some of the most vulnerable children and young people who arrive within our borough.

“It is to be noted, however, that with the introduction of the new rota scheme and the location of Warrington then numbers may increase and this will need to be closely monitored to ensure that our support and partnership approach continues to identify and meet the needs of UASC/young people within the borough.

“The children in care teams continue to work with our partner agencies to ensure that we have an effective partnership offer to better identify and meet the needs of the children/young people.

“This approach will continue to support children for their future in Warrington by drawing on multi‐agency services to work alongside them to successfully transition to adulthood.”