Welcome to Leeds

Volunteer training

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Definition of a refugee Refugee: a person who is recognised by the government as having

a fear of being persecuted in their country for reasons of…– Race– Religion– Nationality– Membership of a particular group– Political Opinion

Refugees can apply for British Citizenship after 5 years

Asylum Seeker: someone who is waiting for the government to decide if they are regarded as a refugee *NB not all refugees have been AS

Section 4 – a failed asylum seeker who cannot be returned to their country of origin due to an exceptional circumstance such as serious illness, pregnancy or Home Office Policy on sending people back to a particular area

Asylum Process The Asylum Process in the UK (NAM – 12 months for 1st decision) Arrival in UK – plane/lorry/ship

Initial Accommodation centre

Dispersal - Housing and Support (NASS begins)

(HO) asylum Interview

Refused Accepted (5yrs)(28 days to leave housing support)

Appeal in Court Refused

Tribunal (this appeal only granted if there is an error in law)

Refused - Destitute, Detained & Deported or voluntary return)(Judicial Review) (fresh claim can be made with new evidence)

Issues to be aware of when someone has recently received refugee status Very disruptive time, emotional rollercoaster Pushed for time (28 days to leave) Needs include

1. Housing & relocating (Housing shortage, cramped accommodation)

2. Registering for benefits (Backdated income support & backdated child benefit)

3. Job hunting & pressures from the Jobcentre Having to face the “real world” RIES service Family re-union

QuizMost asylum seekers actually come

from safe countries. They mainly come to the UK for financial reasons.

FalseThe top 10 nationalities for Asylum Seekers in the

UK include:

Afghanistan, Iraq, Zimbabwe, Iran, Eritrea, Somalia, Sri Lanka, China, Pakistan, and Nigeria.

All these countries are well known for wars, human rights abuse, or oppressive regimes and explain some of the reasons why people from those countries seek asylum.

Asylum seekers don’t want to work. They are a drain on the country.

False

By law Asylum Seekers are not allowed to work. Most Asylum Seekers are highly qualified

professionals back in their home countries (including as Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, Nurses, and Teachers).

A home office research indicates that most Asylum Seekers would prefer to work than be supported for free by the Government and charitable organisations.

Asylum seekers receive more benefits than other people

False

…at roughly £6 per day, Asylum Seekers get 30% less than the Job Seekers Allowance (JSA).

The country is being flooded with asylum seekers.

False In many cases, the routes to the UK are too complicated, dangerous and expensive. Most Asylum Seekers will flee to their neighbouring countries first. According to United Nations figures, the UK is home to less than 2% of the world’s

Asylum Seekers and Refugees. The majority of Asylum Seekers and Refugees are supported by countries that are

much poorer than the UK. “Africa hosts a staggering three million Refugees and nearly a third of these are hosted

by just three countries in East Africa; Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania”

Asylum seekers increase the crime rate!

False

There is no evidence that Asylum Seekers commit more crime than anyone else.

Asylum Seekers are more likely to be victims of crime, even discrimination, because of who they are.

Possible issues that may arise

Good practice vs poor practice as a volunteer

Boundaries Confidentiality Non-judgemental Lone working

When I met my client I realised that she is blind and has been refused refugee status. She has asked me to take her to register with a GP and to help her with an appeal to the home office. She is very lonely and has been talking about ending her life. She does not stop calling me. I feel overwhelmed.

My client was not home at the time we arranged to meet and does not answer my phone calls or emails. I think he does not want to meet with me so I am not going to contact him again. I know somebody who is from the same country so I am going to give my client’s details to my friend.

 

I (volunteer) signed the Welcome to Leeds guidelines and agreed with the coordinator to meet a new client but now I don’t think I can meet this person. I feel bad about letting people down and so I haven’t told anyone.

On our first meeting, I drove my client to the Refugee Council to show them where it is and then arranged to meet them for dinner at my house the following week. My client did not have money to catch the bus for an appointment the next day and asked me to help by paying for his/her bus fare, just this one time.

My client and I are from the same country. We have very different views to the political situation in our country. We have been arguing about this and I don’t want to see this person anymore. She has also sent some abusive texts to me.

Lunch

Please read the updated guidelines

Ask someone; what are the 3 most important things in the guidelines?

Please sign the guidelines and fill in the registration form if you have not already done so.

Thank you!

Places of support...

TASK:Look at the sheet of suggested places to take a new asylum seeker.Consider this situation:An asylum seeker from Iran has arrived. She can’t speak English very well and is feeling very lonely. She is pregnant and needs to register her 2 other children with a local school. She is also confused about her case.Where would you take her?

Consider this situation:

An asylum seeker from Somalia has arrived. He speaks very good English and would like to go to university. He needs to register with a GP. He is also confused about his financial support. He does not have a solicitor and is worried about his case.

Where would you take him?

Useful websiteshttp://www.migrationyorkshire.org.uk

This holds a directory of organisations who work with refugees and asylum seekers in the region

http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/

Support packs for volunteers can be found on this website

www.cityofsanctuary.org

Network of supporting organisations for welcoming and integration

Legal

It is important that someone has a solicitor who is OISC accredited (Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner)

Legal aid is funded by LSC (legal services commission) Solicitors have to apply for this. They will means test the client in order to qualify

Legal aid is usually available to all asylum seekers on BIA (NASS) support. Solicitors are restricted with time with legal aid

Funding can be applied for if the client wishes to lodge an appeal to the tribunal, however the solicitor will only accept to take on the case if the prospects of success are more than 50%

Listings of approved legal advisers www.clsdirect.org.uk (directory) and www.oisc.org.uk (adviser finder)

Any changes in the individual’s circumstances must be made known to their legal representative

Barriers to Education (& Employment) Inability to communicate effectively in English Not understanding how systems work in the UK Not knowing where to access information Lack of confidence and mental health issues Financial difficulties Transport & childcare Employer/Admissions misunderstanding Getting recognition of past experience and achievements Application forms, form filling culture References Job Centres Uncertainty of the future Disrupted lifestyle (home office demands, solicitors, NASS) Isolation Apathy, long term unemployment & inactivity, lack of motivation

Failed Asylum Seekers Growing issue No access to housing, benefits, employment,

healthcare It is not illegal to offer support and help to failed

asylum seekers Families with children will continue to receive NASS

support until removal ARE - Appeal rights exhausted – asylum seekers

who have had a final negative decision and have no further rights to appeal

VARRP – Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme, Government scheme administered by International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to assist people to return to their home country

Asylum Seekers Not allowed to work Limitations on courses at college/ESOL (6 months) Limitations on movement (Home office monitoring) £31 - £40 per week in support (or vouchers if on

Section 4) Poor quality housing/often shared Big brother experience - reporting Free NHS healthcare (inc dental, optical) £300 maternity payment + £5 milk payment per wk