Age-disputed individuals referred from Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre have placed “significant operational and financial pressures” on Children’s Services, councillors will hear next week.
This is according to a report to be presented to Bedford Borough Council’s Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting next Monday (8 June).
It states that Bedford Borough Council has received 19 referrals regarding age-disputed individuals detained at Yarl’s Wood under the UK-France small boats returns arrangements.
According to the report, since April 2025, the council has experienced a “significant increase” in referrals relating to individuals who disputed their adult age after being served with removal directions to France.
The report states that the authority has been required to undertake safeguarding and age assessment duties, including brief enquiry age assessments and, in some cases, providing accommodation and support as a looked-after child pending further assessment.
As of 27 May, it says seven individuals had been identified through the brief enquiry or Home Office initial age decision process as not being “significantly over the age of 18” and had been accommodated by the council pending completion of full age assessments.
Also, a further three age-disputed individuals had obtained legal representation to challenge decisions that had determined them to be adults.
The council agreed to accommodate those individuals pending completion of full age assessments.
The briefing note states: “The increase in referrals associated with the Home Office’s use of Yarl’s Wood has placed significant operational and financial pressures upon Bedford Borough Council.”
Under pressure
According to the report, those pressures include increased demand on social work staffing capacity, additional safeguarding responsibilities, emergency accommodation requirements, increased legal, assessment and placement costs, and wider pressures on Children’s Services resources.
The report also sets out the financial implications, stating the average placement cost in semi-independent accommodation is £900 per week.
Home Office funding of £1,001 per week is available to offset accommodation costs associated with separated migrant children.
However, the report says grant funding does not cover additional social care costs associated with supporting the children, creating further budget pressures.
The briefing note also states that the borough council has reached its National Transfer Scheme participation threshold of 43 separated migrant children.
This impact on services is expected to continue into the autumn, and warmer weather may lead to an increase in small-boat arrivals.
by John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
