Policy on asylum benefits was halted

A government policy that can lead to children of failed asylum
seekers being taken into care was halted from April until this
month after councils raised legal concerns, Community Care
has just learned.

The move came after councils received different legal opinions
about how they should respond to the policy that stops failed
asylum seekers and their families from receiving benefits, leaving
them destitute and councils with the duty to care for the children.

The Home Office stopped families from having their support
withdrawn. The policy has now restarted.

Ian Johnston, director of the British Association of Social
Workers, said he was concerned that councils could choose to
support only the children and not their parents, in line with the
policy.

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