§ Mr. DawsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued to local authorities about the use of section 20 of the Children Act 1989 in relation to unaccompanied children seeking asylum. [116758]
§ Margaret Hodge[holding answer 9 June 2003]: I have been asked to reply.
Local Authority Circular (2003)13 was issued to authorities at the end of May. This circular sets out the position on the use of section 17 of the Children Act in relation to the provision of accommodation. The circular reminds authorities of the assessment process they should use for all children in need, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, to determine whether they should be accommodated under section 20 of the Children Act, and therefore become "looked after" children, or whether support under section 17 is more appropriate for their needs.