Lambeth council today (18 May) told ministers that it is ready to welcome refugee children who arrive in Britain alone after fleeing war-torn parts of the world.
Primer Minister David Cameron announced last week that the UK will take in 3,000 more unaccompanied refugee children from Europe, including young Syrians.
Lambeth council found homes for two families who arrived in the UK as refugees from Syria earlier this year, the first of 20 families the council is committed to support.
A decision about the support Lambeth will be able to offer will be made once more details of the scheme are announced.
“Lambeth has a long history of offering refuge to people who have fled the most terrible conditions in other parts of the world,” said a council spokesman.
“When children arrive here as refugees, completely alone after escaping terrible conditions, we have a responsibility to look after them and provide with a home where they can finally feel safe.”
The Local Government Association has called on ministers to clarify how the resettlement operation will be funded in the long term and how the children would be dispersed across the country.
Community groups and individuals in Lambeth have already called for action to help unaccompanied child refugees. Several people have asked the council how they can help the effort to find homes for unaccompanied children arriving in the UK.
Lambeth’s fostering and adoption services can offer advice and assistance to anyone who feels they might be able to offer a home to a vulnerable young person.
Government announcement on unaccompanied refugee children from Syria.
