MORE than £1.1million of government cash is being shared between four Sandwell projects which help migrants - with around 1,000 new families arriving every year in the borough.

Sandwell Council is being handed £1,148,188 - the second largest handout of £28m funding being given to local councils across England.

The latest handout brings the total funding from the Government's Controlling Migration Fund to more than £100 million since 2016.

The money is being split between four borough projects which help children from migrant families secure school places, teach new arrivals English, help pupils with special needs and those who have mental health difficulties after experiencing trauma and help families access benefits and services and gain employment.

Cash will go to Sandwell’s Transition Education Partnership Service (STEPS), the Sandwell Language Network (SLN), The Holistic Opportunities for Person-centred Education (HOPE) and Settling Well.

The largest sum is £1,222,380 - which is going to Birmingham City Council. Dudley Council will not receive any cash, while Wolverhampton City Council is getting £223,421.

Announced by Communities Minister Lord Bourne, cash will be allocated to 123 projects across England.

Lord Bourne said: "Whether its tackling rogue landlords who exploit vulnerable migrants, helping new arrivals learn English or supporting care leavers to access education, the Controlling Migration Fund is delivering results across the country and providing services for the benefit of all.

"Each community is unique in the challenges it faces, but the projects we've funded have shown that positive change is possible when people come together and think innovatively about how to support the whole community."

Sandwell’s Transition Education Partnership Service (STEPS), a project to help children from migrant families secure a school place, will get £91k.

The centre supports newly arrived families understand the social expectations of the British Education system as well as providing information on housing, benefits and public services.

It helps migrants learn English through adult ESOL classes, safeguards vulnerable arrivals from exploitation, reduces immediate pressure on school resources and assists with community integration.

The Sandwell Language Network (SLN) will get £381,005. The project, which is backed by Sandwell MBC and Sandwell College, offers a range of opportunities for English language learning, supporting employability and building self-reliance by helping people to help themselves.

The Holistic Opportunities for Person-centred Education (HOPE) will get £477,500.

A description of the projects reads: "In Sandwell many people speak a first language other than English and it is home to a constantly increasing number of international new arrival families settling in the borough. 

"Some of the pupils newly arriving in Sandwell have Special Educational Needs including social, emotional and mental health difficulties due to experiencing trauma.

"The HOPE Centre, will use an multi-agency team to assess pupils needs and support pupils whilst they are being allocated a school place. 

"HOPE Centre will also provide support to families through adult learning classes, community events and signposting to other relevant agencies."

Settling Well will get £198,591 to will provide early intervention for migrants.

Community navigators, supported by a specialist advice worker, will deliver practical advice and hands on support to migrants, dealing with their immediate issues and helping them settle permanently in Sandwell.

The service will be delivered by Citizens Advice Sandwell (CA) and Brushstrokes Community Project in community settings across Sandwell.