Provision of accommodation and support for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC)

Description

SCC requires organisations to provide accommodation and support for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children from any cultural background who are aged 16 or 17 and beyond the end of Year 11 by education year group. These services will provide accommodation that is of an acceptable standard and quality and is fit for the purpose. The support provided by the Provider will work proactively with each UASC to identify and to meet their specific needs, supporting them to live semi-independently with a view to living independently by age 18 where appropriate, and to access sustainable education, employment and/or training opportunities. The Provider will provide a holistic support service including promoting physical and emotional health and wellbeing, opportunities for community inclusion and keeping the UASC safe. The Provider(s) will need to provide specific individualised support for this cohort taking into account their cultural, language and spiritual needs. The Provider/s will also need to work in partnership with a number of agencies as well as SCC to provide high quality support for the UASC to enable the best outcomes possible. All UASC Providers will be expected to work to an Individual Placement Agreement (IPA) which will be agreed between SCC and the provider to determine the detail of the placement including support requirements, expected outcomes for the child, financial support and accommodation needs. Lot 1 is to provide initial local accommodation and support for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) when they arrive. The highest volumes are expected to be under Lot 1. This provision will be: • Able to accommodate UASCs at very short notice when they arrive (within 24 hours); • Located within Somerset County to allow Somerset County Council (SCC) Social Workers to carry out the initial assessment of a young person's needs; • In a suitable location within Somerset with access to local community services; • Used to 'settle' UASC young people Lot 2 is to provide options for UASC to move on to a placement outside Somerset if this is deemed by the SCC Social Work team to better meet their needs. A variety of locations across the UK (outside Somerset County) is sought to provide a range of move on options.