1. Syrian VPR scheme Ashford’s experience Tracey Kerly Corporate Director Ashford Borough Council

2. Why we are here ….. Zaatari camp for Syrian refugees in Jordan Image and text from Wikipaedia

3. Why we are here ……. A Syrian refugee walks past a tent amidst a snow storm at an unofficial camp on the road between Riyaq and Baalbek in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley, near the border with Syria, on January 7, 2015. Image and text from www.al- akhbar.com

4. Ashford Borough Council’s Response Ashford proud to be one of the first in Kent to receive families under the VPR scheme. Second Tier Authority but close working with County level Cabinet meeting on the 8th October: Unanimous vote to take 250 Syrian Refugees over the 5 year period. 50 per year equivalent of 10 families. First three families received and accommodated on 16 th December 2015. A total of 14 people. Next three properties identified and likely to be received in January 2016

5. How did we prepare? We held internal meetings with all relevant departments to discuss how best to meet the challenge We have liaised closely with the Home Office to understand what our commitment to this project would entail to aid our planning and preparation for the arrival of the first families Close working with Council Members with a strong commitment from the Leader Careful management of the local and national media. Strong communications team involvement Early decision taken to receive the funding directly and to appoint a staff member to lead on delivering a tailored support plan for each family for the first 6 weeks but working closely with top tier authority.

6. How Did We Prepare? County wide coordination group set up to discuss impacts and common working arrangements across the region involving all statutory partners Common Agreement about the type of households we could best assist in Kent Properties currently arising from existing contacts and ‘word of mouth’ amongst church groups and landlord contacts. Benefits from joint procurement of specialist services via top tier arrangements e.g. interpreting services, specialist support arrangements Common training arrangements utilising Refugee Council to prepare staff and raise awareness of what to expect

7. Final Points to Consider People will want to donate money, items such as toys and furniture and arrangements are needed to handle this We provided an opportunity for staff to volunteer to assist Close coordination with Police and Fire Services useful to ensure a quick response in the event of emergencies Communication issues for the families out of working hours – provision of temporary pay as you go mobiles if necessary Welcome pack to introduce the families to their new home and surroundings translated into Arabic Staff to see them into the property on arrival and to explain how we will work with them over the coming days and months.

8. Final Points to Consider Be aware of the use of social media such as facebook and ensure positive messages are put out to counter negativity Essential to manage the media and be careful not to release information about arrival date or details too early Think about how the momentum can be maintained over 5 years – keeping local good will and support. Managing the impacts on the local community. For example Ashford took the decision not to use social housing so that our participation would not be seen as detrimental to local people