Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether all unaccompanied children seeking asylum on arrival in the UK and accommodated in Home Office-funded hotels are now being referred to Kent County Council Children’s Services ”at the earliest possible point” in accordance with Home Office guidance; and how quickly such referrals are being made.

The Home Office recognise the longstanding role that Kent County Council has played in supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) and former unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and are grateful for their contribution.

The Home Office notifies Kent County Council about all UASC arriving in their area. The notification is completed along with the National Transfer scheme referral, as quickly as possible - with the length of time taken to complete the referral process being dependant on arrival numbers.