DOZENS of child migrants could be housed in Southend, with bosses in Kent unable to take in any more.

Southend Council's cabinet is set to discuss whether unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, who have mainly arrived by boat in Kent, can be housed in the town.

The arrival of migrants in Kent has escalated in recent months and due to the numbers of vulnerable young people arriving, authorities in Kent are unable to accept any more new children to their care.

The Home Office has requested all councils offer support.

A report, to be presented to Southend Council next week, recommends a one-year temporary funding increase of £122,000 for a dedicated social worker and two personal assistants to work with the children.

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Laurie Burton, councillor in charge of children and learning, said: “These children are alone and need the help, support and assistance of Southend Council to carve out a new life, away from war torn countries, organised crime groups, modern slavery and child sexual exploitation.

"I can’t imagine the situations they have escaped from and how scary the sea crossing must have been, especially without their parents or family.

“This is a small number of children, but it will make a huge and impactful difference to their young lives, and as the report suggests, if they arrive two children per month, our services should not become overwhelmed.

"If we don’t agree to this, we will be neglecting our national responsibility to help vulnerable young people so I hope my colleagues realise the importance of this work and the recommendations are adopted.”

The 27 children recommended in the report is 0.07 per cent of the overall population of children in Southend and is in line with what other authorities are offering.

The report will be discussed at cabinet on Tuesday.