§ Ms KellyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what notice period will be required for separated children in local authority care homes or temporary accommodation seeking asylum when they are dispersed by the National Asylum Support Service at the age of 18; [142043]
255W(2) if separated children with siblings still in the care of a local authority will be referred to the National Asylum Support Service for dispersal; and if he will make a statement. [142044]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienUnaccompanied asylum-seeking children reaching 18 may apply to the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) for support. Those requesting accommodation as part of their application will normally be offered accommodation outside London or the south-east in line with our dispersal policy. It is open to an applicant to put forward reasons why they do not wish to leave the area where they are living. This could include the presence of younger siblings still in the care of a local social services department. Full consideration will be given to any compassionate factors. Applicants for support who have been offered accommodation in a dispersal area are expected to travel to their new address within a few days of receiving the details of the support Main Home Office package which is being made available to them.