But a small number of children have no friends or family, and face an uncertain future in a country far from home.
They are Wiltshire’s ‘separated migrant children,’ some of the thousands of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children who arrive in the UK each year.
Wiltshire Council will not say how many there are, how old they are, or where they come from – but they are understood to make up around ten per cent of the total number of children in care.
Government figures show that 7,380 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children aged under 18 were in council care across England in March 2024 – up from 5,080 in 2020.
Most arrive on small boats in Dover. Kent County Council has an obligation to look after lone children when they arrive on small boats in Dover, and a National Transfer Scheme was set up to ensure a “fairer, more equitable distribution” of children across all local councils in England.
Proportionally there are fewer unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in Wiltshire than surrounding counties, at around six per 10,000 of population in 2024. In Swindon there were twice that number per 10,000 people.
They are often fleeing violent situations, and their journey to the UK will have been traumatic and difficult.
The government provides funding towards the care of the young people. They are looked after in either supported accommodation or foster homes until they turn 18, where they will continue to receive support as “care-experienced young people” in line with the council’s statutory duties.
Once they are 18, any adult who has had their application refused will be referred back to the Home Office.
The figures came to light at a recent Wiltshire Council meeting during a discussion on the performance of each council department.
Cllr Jon Hubbard, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, told the meeting: “Despite being above our internal target, we remain below the national average, below the regional average, and below our statistical neighbours. We’re managing demand that councils across the country are grappling with.”
It is one of two specific pressures that is driving the number of looked-after children upwards, he said.
The other is the number of 16 and 17 year olds who have presented as homeless to the council.
Since April 42 young people have presented themselves as homeless or at risk of homelessness in the county – although the council is keen to point out that none are left without a roof over their heads, and is given the appropriate support.
After the meeting, Cllr Hubbard told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I recently highlighted the growing number of 16–17-year-olds seeking homelessness support, because it’s important that people understand the challenges young people face and how we are working to help them.
“The reasons for youth homelessness are varied, but our priority is always to keep young people safe, protected, and wherever possible, supported to remain in Wiltshire close to their families, friends, and networks.
“None of our 16 – 17-year-olds are homeless as they are always provided with appropriate accommodation and support.
“Like all local authorities, Wiltshire is also home to a number of separated migrant young people, and we have both a legal and moral duty to provide them with safe accommodation and care.
“As a forward-thinking council, we have invested in a range of homes to support young people. These properties include supported living for those moving from childhood to adulthood and independent flats to help young people move towards independence.
“Our goal is simple: to give young people a safe space to stay and the opportunity to build a future here in Wiltshire.”