Good practice in social care for refugees and asylum seekers
Resources
Further reading
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Social care, asylum seekers and refugees Open
Aspinall, P. and Watters, C. (2010). Refugees and asylum seekers: a review from an equality and human rights perspective Equality and Human Rights Commission.
British Institute for Human Rights: Your human rights − a guide for refugees and asylum seekers.
Patel, B. and Kelley, N. (2006) SCIE race equality discussion paper 02: the social care needs of refugees and asylum seekers.
Network, N. (2011). Social Services Support to People with NRPF: A National Picture
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Children and young people Open
Border, G.B.H.O. and Immigration, A. (2008). Better outcomes: the way forward: improving the care of unaccompanied asylum seeking children Great Britain. Home Office. Border and Immigration Agency.
Broadbent, C. (2010). Safeguarding Children from Abroad, including private fostering and the use of interpreters.
Brownlees, L.F., Nadine. (2010). Levelling the playing field - A UNICEF UK report into provision of services to unaccompanied or separated migrant children in three local authority areas in England
Chase, E., Knight, A. and Statham, J. (2008) The emotional well-being of young people seeking asylum in the UK, London, British Association for Adoption and Fostering.
Community Care (2011). Research: Good practice when working with refugee and asylum-seeking children
Cox, P. (2011). "Issues in safeguarding refugee and asylum-seeking children and young people: research and practice." Child Abuse Review, 20(5), September-October 2011, pp.341-360.
Crawley, H. (2006) Child first, migrant second: ensuring that every child matters, London, Immigration Law Practitioners' Association.
Dorling, K. (2009). . (Seeking Support - A Guide to the Rights and Entitlements of Separated Refugee and Asylum Seeking Children
Dorling, K. (2010). "Care of former asylum-seeking children." Children and Young People Now, 9.11.10, pp.24-25.
FRONTEX (2010). Unaccompanied Minors in the Migration Process
General British Association of Social Workers; Unison Scotland (2006) Asylum in Scotland: child's welfare paramount? A guide for BASW and Unison Scotland. Although referring to the legal and policy context in Scotland highlights some practice issues.
Hewett, T., Smalley, N., Dunkerley, D. and Scourfield, J. (2005) Uncertain futures: children seeking asylum in Wales, Cardiff, Save the Children Wales.
Kohli, R. (2007) Social work with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, London, Palgrave Macmillan.
Mitchell, F. (2003) ‘The social services response to unaccompanied children in England’, Child & Family Social Work, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 179−89.
National Children’s, B. (2008). Grief matters for young asylum seekers and refugees: seminar report and recommendations: National Children's Bureau.
Rigby, P., Malloch, M. and Smith, N.H. (2012). A report on child trafficking and care provision: towards better survivor care Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research.
Rutter, J. (2003) Working with refugee children, York, Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Ubido, J.H., Louise. McAteer, Sharon. Tomlinson, Lucy. Scott-Samuel, Alex. (2012). Children and young people’s emotional health and wellbeing needs assessment
Wade, J., Mitchell, F. and Baylis, G. (2005) unaccompanied asylum-seeking children: the response of social work services, London, British Association for Adoption and Fostering.
Wade, J. (2011). "Preparation and transition planning for unaccompanied asylum-seeking and refugee young people: a review of evidence in England." Children and Youth Services Review, 33(12), December 2011, pp.2424-2430.
Watters, C. (2008) Refugee children: towards the next horizon, London, Routledge.
Wright, Frances. (2012) ‘Social Work Practice with Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Young People Facing Removal’ British Journal of Social Work 1–18
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Disabled refugees and asylum seekers Open
Harris, J. and Roberts, K. (2004) ‘Not our problem: the provision of services to disabled refugees and asylum seekers’ in D. Hayes and B. Humphries (eds) Social work, immigration and asylum: debates, dilemmas and ethical issues for social work and social care practice, pp. 151−61, London, Jessica Kingsley.
Ward, K., Amas, N. and Lagnado, J. (2008) Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches, London, Metropolitan Support Trust.
UNHCR (2010), ‘Vulnerable or invisible? Asylum seekers with disabilities in Europe’ New Issues in Refugee Research, Oxford
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Health Care Open
Gov.uk (2012). Guidance on providing NHS treatment for asylum seekers and refugees
Practitioners, R.C.o.G. (2013). Asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants Failed Asylum Seekers / Vulnerable Migrants and Access to Primary Care
Zimmerman, S.E., Chatty, D. and Norredam, M.L. (2012). ‘Health needs and access to care in immigration detention: perceptions of former detainees.’ International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, 8(4), 2012, pp.180-185.
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Mental Health Open
Becher, E.H. (2011). Review of Post-traumatic stress disorder in refugee communities: The importance of culturally sensitive screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
England, P.H. (2012). Migrant Health Guide. pp.
Mind (2009). A civilised society: mental health provision for refugees and asylum seekers in England and Wales, London, Mind.
Mind (2009) Improving mental health support for refugee communities − an advocacy approach, London, Mind.
Social Perspectives Network for Modern Mental Health (2006) "Meeting the mental health needs of refugees, asylum seekers and immigration detainees"
NICE. (2011). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - The management of PTSD in adults and children in primary and secondary care. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.
Palmer, D. and Ward, K. (2007) ’”Lost”: listening to the voices and mental health needs of forced migrants in London’, Medicine, Conflict and Survival, vol. 23, pp. 198−212.
Robjant, K., Hassan, R. and Katona, C. (2009). Mental health implications of detaining asylum seekers: systematic review British Journal of Psychiatry, 194(4), April 2009, pp.306-312.
Strijk, P.J.M., van Meijel, B. and Gamel, C.J. (2011). Health and social needs of traumatized refugees and asylum seekers: An exploratory study.
Watters, C., Ingleby, D., Bernal, M. et al. (2003) Good practice in mental health and social care for refugees and asylum seekers. Final report of the project for European Commission (European Refugee Fund), Canterbury: University of Kent.
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Older refugees and asylum seekers Open
Connelly, N. (2008) Older refugees in the UK: a literature review and interviews with refugees, London, Refugee Council.
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Refugee and asylum seeking women Open
Uk Border, A. (2010). .Gender issues in the asylum claim: UKBA
Reynolds, B. and White, J. (2010). "Seeking asylum and motherhood: health and wellbeing needs." Community Practitioner, 83(3), pp 20–24.
Chantler, K. (2012). "Gender, asylum seekers and mental distress: challenges for mental health social work." British Journal of Social Work, 42(2), March 2012, pp.318-334
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Advocacy Open
Cambridge, P. and Williams, L. (2004) ‘Approaches to advocacy for refugees and asylum seekers: a development Case Studies for a local support and Advice service’, Journal of Refugee Studies, vol. 17, no. 1, pp.97−113.
Guidance, toolkits, training resources and useful organisations
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Good practice guidance and toolkits Open
Burnett, A. (2002) Meeting the health needs of refugee and asylum seekers in the UK: an information and resource pack for health workers. This resource pack on meeting health needs of refugees and asylum seekers contains practical information, details of useful contacts and resources and includes examples of good practice from around the UK.
Cooke, E. (ed.) and Phillips, I. (producer) (2005) On new ground: supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people(audio series), Dartington, Research in Practice. This CD provides an overview of key messages from research in relation to asylum-seeking children and young people, having experienced or witnessed traumatic events and been separated from their families.
Group, W.A.W.C.P.P.R. (2011). Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of unaccompanied asylum seeking children and young people: all Wales practice guidance: Wales. Children Wales.
Kane, S. (2006) Needs assessment and planning for asylum seeking refugee young people: a good practice note.
Aimed at professionals who carry out needs assessments and create pathway plans for asylum-seeking and refugee young people, this note also highlights additional areas to be considered when working with young people leaving care.Kane, S. (2006) The ecological approach to the assessment of asylum seeking and refugee children.
A guide for social workers to looking at the asylum seeking and refugee child in context, using the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families.London Safeguarding Children Board (2009) London trafficked children toolkit. Provides guidance for professionals and volunteers from all agencies involved in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of trafficked children.
NRPF network (2008) Practice guidance for local authorities: assessing and supporting children and families from abroad who have no recourse to public funds(NRPF)
NRPF network (2009) Practice guidance for local authorities assessing and supporting adults with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) Updated April 2009.
NRPF Network (2010) Guidance for local authorities: Assessing and supporting victims of domestic violence who are from abroad and have no recourse to public funds (NRPF)
NRPF Network (2011) Practice Guidance for local authorities assessing and supporting children
NRPF Network (2012) Assessment and Support of Post 18 UASC’s listed as Appeal Rights Exhausted
NSPCC (2008) Children from minority ethnic backgrounds
Save the Children (2004) Separated Children in Europe Programme. Statement of good practice.
The Statement aims to provide a straightforward account of the policies and practices required to implement and protect the rights of separated children in Europe.The Children’s Society (2008) Supporting refugee young carers and their families A toolkit for ALL practitioners
A good practice resource designed to enable all service providers to stay informed about the needs, rights and entitlements of refugee and asylum seeker young carers and their families and to carry out effective and appropriate signposting and joint working. -
Training Open
Refugee Councils in England, Wales and Scotland offer training courses for organisations working with refugees and asylum seekers. The training courses are up to date and cover a wide range of topics including: An introduction to asylum support, the therapeutic casework model, working with unaccompanied minors, supporting women affected by sexual violence and more.
NRPF Network offers training for organisations working with migrants with no recourse to public funds.
Freedom from Torture offers training on working with the survivors of torture. The training is designed as an introduction for a variety of professionals which can build capacity within organisations to work effectively with torture survivors. They can also create bespoke training sessions.
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Other Useful organisations Open
Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS)
Local Government House, Smith Square London SW1P 3HZ
Tel 020 7072 7433
A member organisation described as ‘the voice of adult social care’. The website provides up-to-date information on policy, press releases and consultation responses. Together with ADCS it has developed a Joint ADCS and ADASS Asylum Taskforce, which provides an interface between central government and local authorities concerning the additional costs and duties involved in the care of asylum seekers and their families, while at the same time seeking to ensure that the rights of people seeking asylum are honoured.
Association of Directors of Children’s Services Ltd (ADCS)
3rd Floor, the Triangle Exchange Square Manchester M4 3TR
Tel: 0161 838 5757 email: info@adcs.org.uk
ADCS is the national leadership Association in England for statutory directors of children's services and other children's services professionals in leadership roles and members.
British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR)
British Institute of Human Rights, School of Law, Queen Mary University of London,
Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS
Tel: 020 7882 5850 email: info@bihr.org.uk
BIHR is a human rights organisation committed to challenging inequality and injustice in everyday like in the UK. It aims to bring human rights to life.
Detention Action
Leroy House, Unit 3R, 436 Essex Road, London N1 3QP
Tel: 020 7226 3114 email admin@detensionaction.org.uk
Detention Action supports migrants held in immigration removal centres around London, providing emotional support and assistance in accessing legal and medal care. Detention Action also campaigns for the rights of detainees.
Eaves Poppy Project
Unit 2.03 Canterbury Court, Kennington Business Park, 3 Brixton Road, London SW9 6DE
Tel: 020 7735 2062 email: post@eavesforwomen.org.uk
www.eavesforwomen.org.uk/about-eaves/our-projects/the-poppy-project
The Poppy Project provides from line support, advice and advocacy to women who have been trafficked. They also provide advice to professional who suspect an individual may have been trafficked. The service provides specialist assistance for female trafficking victims, for other groups refer to The Salvation Army.
Equalities and Human Rights Commission
email: info@equalityhumanrights.com, wales@equalityhumanrights.com
The aim of the Commission is to protect individuals against discrimination, to enforce the laws on equality and to promote fairness and human rights for everyone through influencing the development of law and policy and promoting good practice. It has four offices: London, Manchester, Cardiff and Glasgow. Further contact details are available on the website. The website has resources relating to equalities legislation and its implementation.
Freedom from Torture (Formerly Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture)
111 Isledon Road Islington London N7 7JW
Tel: 020 7697 7777
MF, a registered charity established in 1985, is the only organisation in the UK dedicated solely to the treatment of torture survivors. The main treatment centre is in London, with branches in Manchester (covering the North West), Newcastle (covering the North East) and Birmingham (covering the West Midlands). There is also a centre in Glasgow covering the whole of Scotland. MF offers medical consultation, examination and forensic documentation of injuries, psychological treatment and support, and practical help. MF also aims to educate the public and decision-makers about torture and its consequences and undertakes advocacy work to ensure that the UK honours its international obligations towards survivors of torture, asylum seekers and refugees.
Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees
The Runnymede Trust, 7 Plough Yard, Shoreditch, London EC2A 3LP
Tel: 020 7377 9222
An academic research and information organisation, which aims to encourage understanding, public debate and policy-making about asylum.
Medical Justice
86 Durham Rd, London N7 7DU
Tel: 020 7561 7498 email: info@medicaljustice.org.uk
Medical Justice provides medical assistance to individuals in immigration removal centres. The organisation recruits volunteer doctors to privately assess detainees. Referral enquires can be directed to med@medicaljustice.org.uk
Migrants Rights Network
33 Corsham Street, London N1 6DR
Tel: 020 7336 9412 email:info@migrantsrights.org.uk
Migrants Rights Network is an NGO that campaigns for the rights of migrants in the UK. It supports activism, produces media output and organises events.
NICRAS (Northern Ireland Community of Refugees and Asylum Seekers)
Northern Ireland Community of Refugees and Asylum Seekers, 143a University Street, Belfast BT7 1HP
Tel: 028 9024 6699
Represents and is led by refugees and asylum seekers in Northern Ireland. It aims to support the integration process, campaign and raise awareness, provide information about immigration law and respond to the changing needs of its members.
NRPF (No Recourse to Public Funds) Network
NRPF Network, G11 Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, London, N1 2UD
Tel: 020 7527 7121 email: nrpf@islington.gov.uk
The NRPF Network was developed by Islington Council in 2006 and is a network of local authorities focusing on the statutory response to destitute people from abroad with NRPF. It shares information and good practice (see the practice guides in the previous section) among local authorities and other agencies; works with government departments to raise the practical and policy issues of NRPF; facilitates reimbursement for local authorities of the costs of providing support to people with NRPF; and develops a strategic response to managing the issue of and RPF.
Refugee Action
Victoria Charity Centre 11 Belgrave Road, London SM1V 1RB
Tel 020 7952 1511 email info@refugee-action.org.uk
Refugee Action is an independent national charity, which has over 25 years' experience in the reception, resettlement, development and integration of asylum seekers and refugees. In the north of England Refugee Action’s asylum advice teams provide a reception service for newly arrived asylum seekers, as well as advice and advocacy. In Southern England Refugee Action administers an Assisted Voluntary Returns scheme for refused asylum seekers and irregular migrants to return to countries of origin.
Refugee Council
Head Office, PO 68614, London, Greater London E15 9DQ
Tel: 020 7346 6700
The Refugee Council is the largest organisation in the UK working with asylum seekers and refugees and has offices in London as well as in Birmingham, Ipswich and Leeds. The Refugee Council provides direct help and support and also works with asylum seekers and refugees to ensure their needs and concerns are addressed and to enable them to build new lives. As an independent human rights charity, the Refugee Council works to ensure that asylum seekers and refugees are treated with respect and understanding and that they have access to the same rights, opportunities and responsibilities as other members of society.
Salvation Army Anti-Human Trafficking Victim Support Programme
99–101 Newington Causeway, London, Greater London SE1 6BN
24hr Referral Helpline: 0300 3038151
The Salvation Army runs the UK trafficking victim support programme in the UK they operate a 24-hour confidential Referral Helpline. The programme supports victims to find safety and access legal advice, accommodation and medical help.
Welsh Refugee CouncilPhoenix House 389 Newport Road Cardiff CF24 1TP
Tel: 029 2048 9800 email: info@welshrefugeecouncil.org
The Welsh Refugee Council is an independent charity and has four offices in Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and Wrexham. The Council aims to empower refugees and asylum seekers to rebuild their lives in Wales and provides advice, information and support for asylum seekers and refugees The Council offers specialist services in areas such as housing, health and employment and is also actively involved in policy development and campaigning for refugee rights.
Women for Refugee Women
4th Floor, Tindlemanor, 52–54 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8RT
Tel: 020 7250 1239 email: admin@refugeewomen.co.uk
Women for Refugee Women work to raise awareness of the injustices experienced by women who seek refugee status in the UK. Women who come to the UK fleeing gender-related persecution (such as rape, honour crimes, female genital mutilation and trafficking for forced prostitution) are too often turned down for asylum. The group campaigns for better recognition of women’s rights in the asylum process and seeks to support and empowers asylum seeking women through social events and group
