Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Volunteering: Education Nora McKenna Children’s Education Policy Adviser

Volunteering, asylum and education seminar TANDEM 26/01/05

Refugees and asylum seekers Volunteering Integration: –Impact on settled community –Impact on refugees and asylum seekers Processes and issues Opportunities

Volunteering, asylum and education seminar TANDEM 26/01/05 Refugees and Asylum Seekers The 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees : –persecution or fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion –outside their country of origin or usual habitation –unable or unwilling to gain protection from that country

Volunteering, asylum and education seminar TANDEM 26/01/05 Where are they from? Iran935 China620 Somalia570 Zimbabwe535 Iraq475 Pakistan460 Eritrea415 India400 Afghanistan 380 Other Nationalities 3,470

Volunteering, asylum and education seminar TANDEM 26/01/05 Who are they? HO research 33% university degree 51% managerial professional background 84% completed secondary education

Volunteering, asylum and education seminar TANDEM 26/01/05 But …. The right to work for asylum seekers was removed in % of those with status are unemployed Government is “keen to see asylum seekers and refugees take an active interest in the welfare of their own communities and the local community by undertaking voluntary activity while they are in the UK.”

Volunteering, asylum and education seminar TANDEM 26/01/05 Home Office Guidance on Voluntary Activity Issued on Must be genuinely voluntary, amounting to neither employment nor job substitution Expenses are refundable, but as actual costs and not as a flat rate Volunteering is not the same as Unpaid Employment, which asylum seekers are not allowed to do

Volunteering, asylum and education seminar TANDEM 26/01/05 What can they do for us? Skills Life experience Knowledge of different cultures Language skills Enthusiasm –desire to give back to the UK for providing them with refuge –desire to learn about UK culture, particularly employment culture Diversity Opportunities for integration

Volunteering, asylum and education seminar TANDEM 26/01/05 And what can we do for them? Purpose Support emotional well-being Remove barriers to employment –lack of UK work experience –lack of adequate spoken and written English –lack of information about job search culture –training Opportunities for integration

Volunteering, asylum and education seminar TANDEM 26/01/05 Making it happen! Recruitment methods CRB checks Additional support Payment of expenses Possible client/staff prejudice

Volunteering, asylum and education seminar TANDEM 26/01/05 Opportunities Schools: –Early Years –Primary and Secondary Voluntary sector Refugee Community Organisations Libraries and museums

Volunteering, asylum and education seminar TANDEM 26/01/05 Why do it? “Refugees bring with them enormous benefits to society. Their skills, commitment and motivation can help us all.” (Full and Equal Citizens) “The government has a vision of a successful, integrated society that recognises and celebrates the strength in our diversity.” (Integration Matters) “Integration in Britain is not about assimilation into a single homogenous culture, it is a two process with responsibilities on both new arrivals and established communities.” (Strength in Diversity)