Algorithm allocates Highland 'significant increase' in asylum-seeking children

Highland Council says a Home Office algorithm has allocated it with a "significant increase" in unaccompanied asylum-seeking children to look after.

The local authority said it had received national recognition for its work with the young people, many of them fleeing war or persecution.

But it said the rise in numbers would be challenging due to a lack of housing in its area, adding that the algorithm did not take into account the local situation.

The Home Office said councils had a statutory duty to support children arriving in the UK without a parent or guardian, and it was committed to working closely with authorities to help them meet their obligations.

More stories from the Highlands and Islands

News from the Highlands and Islands on BBC Sounds

Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) are those under the age of 18 who arrive in the UK to apply for international protection on their own, without the support of an adult.

Many of them are fleeing their homeland because of political or religious persecution, war or famine.

There are 380 UASCs being looked after in Scotland, according to Scottish government figures for 31 July 2025 .

Highland Council is currently responsible for 72.

The council said it was contacted by local authorities body Cosla in July about a revised Home Office rota allocation formula.

In a report , officials said this had presented it with "significant challenges" and five times its previous number of UASCs.

Previously, Highland Council took into its care system one child per cycle, but this has now gone up to five.

There can be a period of two weeks to a number of months between cycle, depending on how many children arrive in the UK.

Highland Council officials added: "The Home Office algorithm by itself is not an adequate tool without some understanding of local conditions.

"For example, the fact that Highland has significant housing challenges, both in terms of housing availability and cost, coupled with a lack of available workforce, means Highland is not an attractive option for asylum support providers."

The local authority has previously said its area needs an extra 24,000 houses over the next 10 years . New homes are needed to address a long-standing shortage of affordable homes.

The officials also said the Home Office had not so far placed any adult asylum seekers in the Highlands.

"This lack of adult asylum seekers in Highland has had the effect of increasing the number of UASC in 2026," they said.

Eligible UASCs, like other young people in foster, kinship or residential care can remain under local authority care up to the age of 21.

Some care leavers are eligible for support up to their 26th birthday.

Highland Council receives core funding of £143 per child, per day for under 18s. For over 18s it is £270 per week.

The Home Office said it was a priority to ensure vulnerable children received the care and support they needed.

A spokesperson said: ''Local authorities have a statutory duty to support unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and care leavers, and we are committed to working closely with them to help them meet these obligations.

"Through the National Transfer Scheme, we work with local authorities across the UK to ensure responsibility for supporting unaccompanied children is shared fairly."