1. Nationality/Settlement Checking Service
Partnership achievements and future opportunities
Steve Long
Director of Permanent Migration

2. Presentation Where are we now/what have we achieved together?
Permanent Migration Priorities 2013/14
Developing services together and considering the future

3. Where are we now? Home Office/Local Government Partnership
2004 Introduction of Citizenship Ceremonies
2005 Introduction of NCS
2010 Introduction of SCS

4. Where are we now? Update – The facts NCS Intake
,256 50, %
,308 50, %
,547 72, %
,151 93, %
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SCS Intake
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5. Where are we now? 126 Local Authorities are offering NCS
28 Local Authorities are offering SCS
Permanent Migration 2012/13
In 2012/13 PM has significantly increased capacity to meet better defined casework requirements
Restructured our leadership team to focus on improving workflow and Continuous Improvement
Developed multi skilling to enhance our capability and flexibility

6. The Benefits of PM/LRSA partnership are:
For the Local Authority it is an additional service for the community
For the Local Authority it is a revenue generator
For the Local Authority it builds links to the community
For the applicant it establishes a relationship with their Local Authority
The applicant has his/her documents returned immediately (although HO can request originals).
The applicant feels that he/she is receiving a personal service. Problems can be solved before a case reaches the Home Office.
Home Office receive clean, decidable applications (we write out for more information on approximately 2% of cases as opposed to around 50% of non NCS/SCS cases)
It takes less time, on average, to deal with an NCS/SCS case
NCS/SCS have made a significant contribution to the reduction of WiP in the Nationality and SET(M) residence
NCS/SCS gives Home Office more flexibility and enables us to train our staff quickly

7. Permanent Migration Priorities 2013/14
Introduction of 2013/14 PMs Delivery plan;
- Actively involve staff in Continuous Improvement Ensure effective and realistic planning on workflow and resources to avoid backlogs
- Deliver transparent and meaningful standards – building customer confidence
- Drive down marriage abuse by expanding in country interviewing capability

8. As a partnership we want to;
Develop more focused training to encourage and embed SCS in a similar way to NCS.
Develop additional SCS sites and training
Adopt monthly NCS Overview/advanced session for SCS
Promotion of the Services both NCS and SCS.
Consider future delivery, change and policy issues through a transparent and constructive partnership.

9. The future
Permanent Migration and LRSA have set up a partnership group to; problem solve, share news and horizon scan
As a partnership we will; Explore and consider the potential for Immigration and Settlement customers to have an electronic interface alongside receiving practical support to embrace such changes Enhance the role of NCS/SCS in helping Permanent Migration develop a stronger customer insight function
- Develop a shared understanding of the options for biometric enrolment of Nationality customers
Explore how working with NCS/SCS can help Permanent Migration enhance the customer experience