SCIE media releases 2010
Support for refugees and asylum seekers
14 June 2010
When I came to the UK I didn’t trust anyone, without the knowledge of where to turn, I was lost.
Adelzin, Manchester Refugee Support Network
The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) is launching a new report during Refugee Week, ‘Good practice in social care for refugees and asylum seekers’. The report and accompanying resources will support commissioners and providers of social care services in working effectively with this seldom heard group.
The report applies across children’s and adults’ services. It states that good practice rests on a foundation of basic principles and organisational commitment. These principles include:
- a rights based approach
- development of strong multi-agency partnerships
- a strategic approach
- involving service users
- workforce development and ongoing reviews.
SCIE’s Director of Adult Services, David Walden says:
The report is based on the belief that refugees and asylum seekers have rights, including the right to a decent quality of assessment and provision in response to their social care needs.
The support resources will enable practitioners to navigate the complex terrain of policy and practice. It is clear that there is a distinct gap in the provision of social care for refugees and asylum seekers. These seldom heard groups are often unfamiliar with social care services in the UK and are hesitant to seek help.
Azeldin’s story
Azeldin came to Britain as an asylum seeker and was eventually granted refugee status. He says: There is something missing in the middle. There are organisations that provide social services and there are people in need of social services, but there is no connection between the two.
SCIE will launch the report at Celebrating Sanctuary, the flagship Refugee Week event taking place on Sunday 13th June at London’s Southbank Centre. The event celebrates refugee communities in the UK, a theme echoed in SCIE’s new report.
Media contact
Laura Boyd | Communications Officer (Families’ and children’s lead) | Social Care Institute for Excellence | T: 020 7089 7104 | M: 07885 736 643 | F: 020 7089 6841 | E: media@scie.org.uk | Goldings House, 2 Hay's Lane, London, SE1 2HB
Links
- Good practice in social care for refugees and asylum seekers - At a glance
- Good practice in social care for refugees and asylum seekers - Guide
- Azeldin features in SCIE’s Social Care TV film Refugees and asylum seekers
- Manchester Refugee Support Network website
