§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children seeking asylum who have arrived in the UK in the last five years have been placed in(a) care, (b) foster care, (c) adopted care, and (d) bed and breakfast accommodation. [82765]
§ Jacqui SmithInformation on the numbers of unaccompanied asylum seeking children looked after by local authorities was collected for the first time for the year ending 31 March 2002. The table shows the available information. Data on local children are included for comparison.
The table only covers those unaccompanied children who are looked after by local authorities. It does not cover those who are supported without being looked after. The Children in Need in England survey, published by the Department in October, provides information about numbers of asylum seeking children receiving a service as children in need in a sample week in September/October 2001. However this survey does not distinguish between unaccompanied children and those with their families. Nor does it give details of the type of support, such as bed and breakfast accommodation, provided. The information can be accessed at www.doh.gov.uk/cin/cinlatables.htm.
Number of children looked after by local councils at 31 March 2002 by placement and asylum seeking status—England Unaccompanied asylum seeking children Local children Number Percentage Number Percentage Foster care 1,310 60 37,925 66 Placed for adoption — — 3,585 6 Living independently1 250 12 865 2 Other placements 620 28 15,145 26 Total 2,185 100 57,525 100 1 Living independently includes flats, bedsits, lodgings with no formal support and bed and breakfast accommodation. Note:
All figures have been rounded to the nearest 5; "—" indicates a figure is less than 5 and has been suppressed for reasons of Confidentiality.