Families fleeing from war in Ukraine find safety in Falkirk

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Families fleeing from war-torn Ukraine are continuing to find a welcome in Falkirk.There are currently 90 children and young people from the country in local schools and nurseries.A report to Falkirk Council's education, children and young people executive revealed that 50 families are in ‘Welcome Hub’ accommodation, funded by the Home Office and the Scottish Government until next December.The council is also now taking care of 12 young people who have come through the National Transfer Scheme for children who have arrived in the UK by small boats, seeking asylum.Councils across the UK must take a proportion of the children and young people and assume full responsibility for their welfare.Previously, Falkirk councillors agreed they not only have a legal duty but also a moral duty to help young people fleeing desperate situations in other parts of the world.However, the report estimates that the UK government's £500,000 funding for the scheme is falling around £400,000 short of what it is actually costing.

In particular, a shortage of foster carers means some young people have had to be placed in residential accommodation outside the district, which is much more expensive.Many of the young people have said that their priority is to learning English, but funding for lessons that was provided by the UK Government has now dried up, meaning any support they get in learning the language will be through their schools.The report also outlines that two additional social work assistant posts have now been recruited to offer support to the children and young people.Sara Lacey, Head of Social Work for Children’s Services said: “The report focusses on the positive work Falkirk Council is taking forward to support children and young