REFUGEE children will be able to find a home in Wiltshire after the council committed to continue offering support to vulnerable people by giving safe passage into the county.

Wiltshire Council unanimously committed to welcome up to 100 refugee children over the next 10 years, as part of the national Safe Passage Our Turn campaign to call on central government to fund foster places.

The motion stated: “That Wiltshire Council builds on its achievements in caring for vulnerable unaccompanied refugee children by supporting the Safe Passage Our Turn campaign, recognising the historical legacy of the Kindertransport, and pledges to welcome 10 at-risk refugee children per year for the next 10 years as part of a fully funded government child resettlement scheme.”

Putting the friendly motion to Wiltshire Council during today’s full council meeting, Cllr Sarah Gibson called on the council to continue its work to help refugees. In 2015 Wiltshire Council was one of the first councils to take part in the Government’s Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Programme and has seen 103 refugees come into Wiltshire since.

Cabinet member for children's services Laura Mayes said: “This is a friendly motion and I would encourage anyone who can think of people who might be good to foster children in Wiltshire as well as refugees to take part.”

Wiltshire for Refugees volunteer, Shelley Soulsby, said: “The scheme would ensure children, who have already been through so much, have safe and legal routes to sanctuary. It would allow vulnerable children to arrive in Wiltshire in a planned and humane way rather than on the back of or under lorries.”

Jackie Thomas from Devizes said: “Thousands of children are suffering and if we choose we can give children the opportunity to be useful citizens rather than existing in a vacuum in a refugee camp and maybe reduce the likelihood of perpetuating violence. Accepting just a few children each year is a way to do it.”

Cllr John Thomson said: “As a council we will be proud of what we have achieved, welcoming 150 refugees. It is credit to the people of Wiltshire and we now have a fantastic opportunity to build on this.

“We really do need people to step up in the community to foster to make sure children have the right support and infrastructure.”

Cllr Phillip Whalley said: “I agree that some foster carers will come forward who might not have traditionally fostered. This will build on the existing humanitarian work done by this council.”

Cllr Christopher Devine urged the council to ensure the screening process of refugees stayed in place.

He said: “Every person who isn’t a refugee takes the place of a genuine refugee.”