Charities question child dispersal plan

Refugee charities have voiced concern over the
government’s plans to disperse unaccompanied asylum seeking
children outside London and the South East.

The
Home Office has admitted it is looking at ways of easing the
pressure on councils in the South East, which deal with the
majority of unaccompanied children. It is understood that any
scheme to disperse children will operate on a voluntary
basis.

Terry
Smith, head of the children’s section at the Refugee Council, said
that while it recognised the pressure councils face, it was
concerned about dispersing them. “Policy should be driven by what
is in the best interests of the child and that can only be done
following a full assessment of their individual needs.”