Practical challenges to integration

Thank you, Dee, for this informative and up-to-date account of some of the practical challenges faced by new refugees. The report cited highlights the crucial role played by the government in supporting refugees and asylum seekers. Definitely worth a read in order to better understand the current situation.

The Refugee Integration and Employment Service (RIES) was one of the many public services cut by the coalition government’s austerity measures in 2011. The RIES provided much-needed integration, employment and mentoring services for between 6–12 months for those with new refugee status. The loss of this vital service along with cuts to grassroots organizations which support refugees has meant that those with newly-granted refugee status now lack crucial assistance when they are at their most vulnerable — both during and immediately following the 28-day grace period.

Those with new refugee status continue to receive financial assistance from the Home Office for 28 days following the grant of status, after which new refugees need to find a way to support and accommodate themselves. A cohesive national strategy of support for asylum seekers and new refugees is essential if they are to become self-reliant and to successfully build a new life in the UK.

A newly-published paper from the Refugee Council by Lisa Doyle (2014) entitled “Refugee Council. 28 days later: experiences of newrefugees in the UK”, explores the consequences of these cuts for London-based refugees. The refugees experienced a lack of cohesion between different service providers resulting in gaps in provision during this crucial transitional period.

The report found that there are many challenges faced by refugees who have little or no experience of navigating the transition from asylum seeker to refugee. These challenges are exacerbated by a lack of information and support, and by the difficulties in obtaining the correct identification documents in a timely manner.

Identity and status documents, such as a national insurance number and a biometric residence permit, are essential in order to access mainstream welfare benefits and services such as housing, education and employment. Even short delays in obtaining relevant identification documents often leads to both homelessness — whether this be sleeping on someone’s sofa or living on the streets — and hunger, as refugees are unable to access welfare and emergency fund payments.

Being placed in such vulnerable positions causes unnecessary stress and is detrimental to physical and mental health. For example, some refugees were not aware that their UK Border Agency accommodation would end after the 28-days grace period — leaving them destitute.

Most refugees lack social capital and as such will not have access to savings and the support of extensive networks of family and friends; therefore faith groups and other refugees (who have little themselves) step in to provide support and assistance.

The majority of refugees were not in a position to immediately access employment but for those who could, recognition of foreign qualifications in the UK proved problematic.