Goteborg 2005 Welcome to Glasgow! Richard Brunner ATLAS Partnership Margaret McDonald Glasgow City Council

Key themes Reception and integration of asylum seekers in the UK Reception and integration of asylum seekers in Glasgow The role of Equal and ATLAS in Glasgow Learning from UK policy, Glasgow practice and ATLAS

UK current policy Dispersal of asylum seekers since 2000 Contracts with housing providers (e.g. Glasgow City Council) Asylum seekers: volunteering, training and education OK (limited) BUT no right to work since 2002 Asylum seekers receive government allowance BUT 30% below normal benefit level

U.K policy direction UK Government committed to 1951 Refugee Convention, but reception becoming harsher: e.g. ‘Indefinite leave to remain’ replaced by 5 years ‘temporary leave to remain’ from August 2005 e.g. Concern for NGOs: emphasis on speed of asylum decision over quality of asylum decision

ASYLUM SEEKERS AND REFUGEES Glasgow’s New Citizens?

Government Home Office Policy - Integration starts on receiving refugee status -v- Glasgow City Council Policy - Integration starts on Arrival to the City

Glasgow City Council Prior to * asylum seekers Since asylum seekers Nationalities- Afghanistan- Pakistan* - Albanian/Kosovo- Sierra Leone - Algeria- Somalia - China*- Sri Lankan - Democratic Republic- Turkey of Congo- Yugoslavia - Iran- Zimbabwe - Iraq - Lithuania

NASS DISPERSAL Early Morning Arrivals Reception Centre (Blindcraft) Refreshments Document Verification Transport Book-In (Accommodation) Orientation SMILE

Contractual Arrangements between Glasgow City Council and National Asylum Support Service (Home Office) Property 2000 Individual Flats Scattered throughout city Good order of repair Security - Concierge CCTV Systems Furniture including Cooker/Refrigerator/Washing Machine April March 2005:500 single bedsits , 2 & 3 bedroom houses March July 2006:2000 1, 2 & 3 bedroom houses

Support Full Range of Services Welcome and induction Orientation Education Health Police Regular Contact with Project Officers Interpretation and Translation Signposting to Networks

Orientation Local Map/City Map Shops Post Office Schools G.P.’s Drop-In Centres Welcome Pack Concierge Cooker/Fridge/Washing Machine Heating Fire Safety

POLICE Partnership working Senior Police Officer appointed to liaise with all relevant agencies Racial Harassment Third party reporting of racist incidents - Scottish Refugee Council and Asylum Support Project both participate Community Policing Development of close contact between Asylum Seeker communities and Community Police Officers

Primary Health Care Trust Health issues are common to Asylum Seeking populations throughout the World. In Glasgow most of these are addressed by: Local General Practitioners Health record questionnaire Rules of the doctor surgery Rules of the dentist surgery Guidance on How to take your medication

Asylum Seekers Obstacles to Integration Home Office Policy - Not allowed to work - Asylum Support Regulations - Reporting Restrictions - Breach rules Language Low self esteem Immigration Decision Making Process Abolition of Indefinite Leave to Remain

EDUCATION Bilingual Bases Bilingual Bases established in 28 schools - 21 primary, 7 secondary (State schools) 65 additional EAL (English add. Language) staff appointed majority of Bilingual Bases have now been established for about 5 1/2 years Reactions and Experiences so far overwhelmingly positive pupils tend to be well motivated and value education very highly many are now high achievers in schools parents very positive and supportive of schools

It has been good for the City Population Culture and Diversity Ethnic Mix Economy  Arrivals in Glasgow since April ,000  Current NASS supported 5,681  Refugees staying in Glasgow 2,000 +

ATLAS in Scotland ESF Equal Theme I: innovation in the integration and training of asylum seekers projects; 19 partners – colleges, regeneration bodies, community organisations, global NGOs working locally ATLAS in Equal Round 2: One of many organisations in Glasgow supporting reception and integration

Securing integration: key ATLAS elements Place asylum seekers and established communities ‘face to face with difference’ Provide ‘platform for confidence’ for asylum seekers At social and economic levels

1. Maryhill Citizens’ Advice Bureau ( CAB) CAB: welfare advice to public in UK Maryhill CAB: dispersed asylum seekers needed advice 40 asylum seekers trained as volunteer CAB advisers: to serve whole community – not just asylum seekers Put established population face to face with asylum seekers Self-confidence and language competence gained by CAB volunteers

2. Bridges Programmes ‘Workshadowing’ programme 12-week placements for asylum seekers 40+ employers, total 100+ placements Economic cohesion: asylum seekers engaging with fellow professionals Professionals meet asylum seekers - often for first time ‘Platform for confidence’ and ‘face to face with difference’

Integration outcomes: tentative New communities adapt Host communities adapt New cross-community networks develop ‘Invisible’ communities become visible in workplaces, advice centres, streets Long-term expectation: less ignorance, less prejudice, higher chance of integration and work

Questions, discussion and recommendations UK reception policy UK dispersal policy Glasgow reception practice Glasgow integration practice

Welcome to Glasgow! Richard Brunner, ATLAS Partnership +44 (0) Margaret McDonald, Glasgow Asylum Seekers Support Project +44 (0)