‘Alarmingly low’ number of EU children in care apply for settled status as UK authorities preoccupied with coronavirus

Thousands of European children in UK care system risk becoming undocumented because no one is applying for their post-Brexit immigration status, charity warns

Thousands of European children in the UK care system risk becoming undocumented because no one is applying for their post-Brexit immigration status, particularly now that councils are preoccupied with coronavirus, a charity has warned.

Figures obtained by the Children’s Society show just one in 10 children who are either in the British care system or who have recently left have been awarded settled status through the EU settlement scheme.

Following Brexit, EU nationals who wish to stay in the UK have to apply for the new form of status through the scheme by 30 June 2021. Those who do not risk becoming undocumented, which would leave them unable to access state support and could make them liable for deportation.