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Duties of Councils

Councils will often have a duty to provide accommodation and support to unaccompanied minors who come to their attention under the provisions of the Children’s Act 1989 in England. This is regardless of whether those children and young people are subject to immigration control.

Support provided to children

Support should be provided by the Council in which the minor is physically present and includes, but is not limited to, accommodation and essential living needs, and help accessing education that is of an appropriate level.

The majority of those children will be entitled to leaving care services. The general aim of leaving care support is to provide the young person with parental guidance and support they would have received growing up in their own families.

Support from the leaving care service continues until at least the young person’s 21st birthday or up to 25 if in education or training.

Policy guidance

The Department for Education (DfE) has produced guidance on the Care of unaccompanied migrant children and child victims of modern slavery: Statutory guidance for local authorities and professionals who may be working with, or have contact with, an unaccompanied migrant child that may be a victim or a potential victim of modern slavery.