Leaflets opposing the conversion of a former care home into a reception centre for asylum-seeking children have been branded “completely unacceptable”.

Kiln Court in Lower Road, Faversham, is set to accommodate unaccompanied youngsters arriving in the UK as Kent County Council struggles to cope with an increase in the number needing to be housed.

Political party Reform UK has since criticised the local authority for not consulting residents or a nearby school about the plans, which were unveiled earlier this year.

In leaflets shared locally it raises concerns about the safety of women, children and vulnerable people in the area when the move goes ahead.

But a Faversham councillor has hit back at the literature, accusing the party of “spreading disinformation” and “playing fast and loose with the safety of vulnerable young people”.

Concerns were raised after the pamphlets were recently dropped through letterboxes in the town about the conversion of Kiln Court, which shut seven years ago.

“Say no to Lower Road asylum centre next to Bysing Wood Primary School,” the leaflet reads, above a picture of asylum seekers on a small boat.

On the back, Reform UK adds: “There has been no consultation for schools, nurseries, parents or residents of the community.

“Say yes to protecting our women, children, vulnerable and community.”

The leaflet also raises concerns over the ability to check the name, age and criminal record of anyone arriving in the UK.

When Kiln Court is converted, it will accommodate up to 32 unaccompanied asylum-seeking (UAS) children - mostly aged 16 and 17 - before they are transferred to other local authorities.

It will be registered with Ofsted and have round-the-clock KCC staffing and security.

Faversham town councillor Hannah Perkin has concerns about the impact the Reform leaflet will have on public perceptions of the plan and the safety of those being looked after.

“The centre is opening to house unaccompanied children who will be checked and supported by highly qualified social workers,” the Liberal Democrat said.

“Other centres elsewhere are open and functioning with minimal disruption.

“The Reform leaflets are spreading disinformation and they are playing fast and loose with the safety of vulnerable young people.

“It is completely unacceptable.”

Reform UK has campaigned nationally for more action to tackle the small boats crisis, with its website stating the issue “threatens our security”.

Earlier this year, it was revealed support was growing for the party in Kent, with a survey revealing 15% of voters in the Sittingbourne constituency backed it.

The party’s Kent organiser Carol Comey said: “Reform UK takes people's concerns about their community very seriously and in this leaflet, we are reflecting those genuine concerns.

“People are worried about how this centre will affect their area and that should not be denigrated.

“In a free and democratic society, we should be free to voice such concerns.”

It is anticipated the centre will open once the refurbishment work is completed in July.

In a letter sent to residents, KCC explained more about how the facility will operate.

“Kiln Court has an outdoor recreation area the children will use and KCC staff will accompany them on organised activities off-site,” it reads.

“There will be times when children can independently leave the centre for short periods of time…to go to a local shop or park.

“It will only be allowed with the agreement of staff about where they will be and when they will return.”

If children are not back at the centre by 10pm, they will be reported to police as missing.

The letter adds: “This will instigate a multi-agency response to locate them.”

Managers will be responsible for providing care as well as “setting rewards and sanctions for behaviour”.

In response to Reform UK’s claims residents were not consulted on the proposals, KCC says ongoing legal and funding discussions between KCC and the government means “there was limited information that could be shared before now”.

It says it communicated directly with residents and leaders as soon as it was able to and will continue to do so.

Last year, the High Court ruled KCC must take every possible step to increase its capacity to look after all UAS children arriving in the county.

The Home Office’s routine use of hotels for youngsters was also found to be unlawful.

KCC says the number of UAS children in its care “dramatically increased” after the ruling.

KCC leader Roger Gough said: “New arrivals of UAS Children into KCC care dramatically increased following the ruling and, although the council has continued to work hard to accommodate them safely, the existing provision is unable to sustainably cope with demand and additional, suitable temporary accommodation is needed at pace to meet the requirements of the ruling and to ensure the ongoing safe care of UAS children.”

Cllr Gough says nine properties across Kent have been identified as suitable for use as new UAS children's reception centres.

The Conservative says government funding will be provided to meet Ofsted regulations and the ongoing management of these new accommodations so they will not present an additional unfair burden on Kent taxpayers.