Purpose

To update the committee on the work of Sanctuary Services, progress against the Sanctuary Strategy 2025 -2030 and make recommendations for an updated action plan for 2027-2030.

To provide an update on key national policy changes and potential implications for Bristol.

To seek further delegated approval for Bristol Sanctuary Services (BSS) to receive and spend specific grants related to Sanctuary Seeker cohorts from Government.

Decision

The Committee for Children and Young People:

1. 1.      Noted Sanctuary Services updates, including progress on the Sanctuary Strategy, 2025 – 2030 and the proposed updated Action Plan as outlined in this report.
2. 2.      Authorised the Sanctuary Corporate Strategic Steering Group to oversee final updates and refinements to the Action Plan.
3. 3.      Authorised the Executive Director for Children and Education in consultation with the Chair of the Children and Young People Committee to take all steps required to accept and spend grant funding from central government which may be over the key decision threshold each year relating to resettled refugees, asylum seekers, Ukrainians and others affected by forced migration, until March 2030.