Refugee Resettlement Programme
Kent County Council's (KCC) Refugee Resettlement Programme supports refugee families who have arrived in Kent through central government-funded resettlement schemes.
These programmes are fully funded through ring-fenced government grants and do not require direct financial support from KCC. Funding includes an allocation to support the education of children and young people aged three to 18.
KCC coordinates refugee resettlement across all Kent districts, except Ashford and Canterbury, which manage their own programmes, and some families in Dover. Our in-house Refugee Resettlement Team works closely with central government and partner agencies to coordinate support for resettled families.
Support for schools
If your school welcomes a child through one of the refugee resettlement schemes, the Refugee Resettlement Team can provide advice and practical support.
Please note that this programme does not cover children who are seeking asylum or those who have been granted refugee status through the asylum process. However, we can signpost schools to organisations that support these children and families.
The role of the Refugee Council
KCC commissions the British Refugee Council to provide integration and casework support to resettled families for between three and five years, depending on the scheme.
This includes:
- helping families secure school places
- supporting children as they settle into the UK education system
- providing practical day-to-day guidance
- helping families build independence across all aspects of life.
Refugee Council can help bridge the gap between refugee families and school by providing support and guidance which will give refugee children the opportunity to learn and thrive in their new education setting.
To contact Refugee Council, either the family’s individual case worker or email Lynda Langton, Community Development Worker at Refugee Council Lynda.langton@refugeecouncil.org.uk to discuss your support needs.
Education funding
Funding is available for children and young people aged three to 18 and is allocated on a per-child basis to help schools meet the costs of supporting newly arrived pupils.
This funding is particularly important because mainstream school funding is based on the previous October School Census, meaning there can be a delay before additional funding is reflected in a school's budget.The Refugee Resettlement Team transfers the funding to KCC's Education Finance Team, who then distribute it to the relevant local authority school or academy.
Additional funding to meet SEND responsibilities may be provided by the Home Office on a case-by-case basis as an Exceptional Cost. To claim this, KCC’s Resettlement Team require a report from your SENDCO that provides evidence of need and requirements (including costs). Outside of SEND, where compelling circumstances exist, there is a possibility that further funds may be claimed from the Home Office. The Home Office will also consider these requests on a case-by-case basis as an Exceptional Cost.
If a school identifies the need for additional funding for a child, they can email refugeeresettlement@kent.gov.uk to contact the Refugee Resettlement Team to discuss their needs further.
Understanding the needs of refugee children
Refugee children are entitled to the same educational opportunities and support as all pupils in the UK. However, they may face additional challenges as they settle into school life.
These may include:
- little or no English, requiring additional English language support
- gaps in previous education, meaning they may be working below age-related expectations
- experience of different education systems and curricula
- families needing support to understand the UK education system and school attendance requirements
- trauma or mental health difficulties that may affect behaviour, wellbeing and learning
- unidentified special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), which may not have been recognised in their country of origin.
Further guidance and workshops
The Refugee Resettlement Team works with schools to help staff feel confident in supporting resettled children and their families.
Support includes:
- advice and links to specialist agencies for children experiencing trauma, emotional dysregulation or cultural barriers
- free workshops for staff and pupils to raise awareness of refugee experiences and challenge common misconceptions about migration.
These sessions promote understanding, inclusion and community cohesion within schools.