August 27, 2020 11.11 am This story is over 43 months old

Lincolnshire supporting 19 teen asylum seekers

The council wants more government support

Stock image

Lincolnshire County Council is currently supporting 19 unaccompanied young asylum seekers, with over half found travelling in vehicles stopped on the A1.

The 19 children and young people are aged between 15 and 17 and come from a variety of countries – Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Sudan, Iran (Kurdish) and Vietnam.

Seven of those being supported by the council have been identified since May and, according to BBC Radio Lincolnshire, they have since been taken into care in the county.

Eleven came to the notice of the local authority after travelling in vehicles stopped by border police on the A1.

A small number came through Immingham docks or are located in towns not directly adjacent to the A1.

In addition, the council is continuing to support 90 unaccompanied asylum seekers, who are now care leavers and aged between 18 and 23.

However, it wants the government to review how the young asylum seekers are supported nationally.

Councillor Patricia Bradwell OBE, Executive Member for Children’s Services, said: “Lincolnshire is a through-route from many ports on the coast, and if police become aware of children within our border, we have a duty of care as the local authority.

“We are currently supporting 19 unaccompanied young asylum seekers, who are either in foster placements or supported accommodation, depending on their age and individual needs.

“In addition, we continue to support 90 unaccompanied asylum seekers who have previously been looked-after children and are now care leavers.

“We’re happy to do our bit, but the government needs to review how these vulnerable young asylum seekers are supported across the whole country, so that the system is fairly funded and every council plays their part.”

“Although the government does give us financial support, it does not cover the full cost of providing the care these young people need.”