1 Good practice in social care with refugees and asylum seekers Nicole Crompton -University of Central Lancashire (uclan) Zemikael Habte-Mariam - European Refuge Advocacy Organisation - Equalities National Council

2 Entitlements - Assesment Section 116 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 “An asylum seeker or refugee has an equal right to request a care assessment at any stage.” (NASS 2004)

3 Following assessment Asylum seekers Eligible to have their assessed needs met if those needs have not arisen solely out of destitution or because of the physical effects of destitution…duty falls to the Local Authority to meet that need Refugees same entitlements as any other UK citizen

4 Barriers to access Knowledge/ understanding of entitlements Language Jurisdiction disputes Availability of social care

5 Good practice Culturally Sensitive Services Adjustments to mainstream services Dedicated services Cultural Competence attributes and beliefs of practitioner knowledge and skills of practitioner Social Worker Training uphold anti-discriminatory/oppressive practice challenge discriminatory practice

6 Good Practice Multi Agency Partnership Better service ownership of issues and solutions information more freely shared between agencies, and clearer knowledge of the provision of each is possible Reducing confusion over responsibilities More appropriate referral Sharing good practice between organisations

7 Good Practice Community Involvement Voluntary Sector Partners freedom from procedural and legal constraints respond flexibly to the diverse and changing needs of asylum seekers and refugees step in when the local authority is no longer able to assist; as in the case of refused asylum seekers Advocacy, translation, mediation, social & cultural networks,

8 Other sectors Health Mental Health Housing

9 Activity Activity 1: From the perspective of the voluntary sector Activity 2: From the perspective of the statutory sector Activity 3:From the perspective of the asylum seeker or refugee Use examples from your own experience

10 equitable services = improved access, experience and outcome Communities and agencies working together Generating ownership FacilitatedSupportedResourcedTrained Raising awareness Reducing stigma, denial & fear Sustaining engagement Assessing need Increasing trust Articulating need Building capacity Developing workforce Community Engagement