REFUGEE SERVICES

The Race Equality Centre’s Refugee Service (formerly RASAP) assists asylum seekers who are granted refugee status, indefinite leave to remain, humanitarian protection or discretionary leave.

Our first point of contact is usually when clients are issued with their Home Office status letter, which is usually accompanied with a notice to quit their NASS accommodation and the cessation of NASS support. 

At this point we carry out a comprehensive needs assessment based on individual circumstances and work with clients to produce a personal resettlement plan. This requires the active involvement of clients and focuses on establishing immediate, mid term and long term goals. Each client is allocated a Refugee Resettlement Officer who then meets with them on a regular basis to monitor progress and review their plan.

On an immediate and priority basis we assist clients to obtain benefits including: Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit, Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit. We also assist clients to access temporary housing to avoid homelessness, as well as applying for permanent housing and pursuing these applications. 

The Race Equality Centre provides advocacy, support and representation in the above matters and assists by arranging interpreters and assisting with correspondence, form filling and telephone calls.

When our clients obtain housing we assist them to maintain their tenancy by: assisting with CCG applications, Budgeting Loans and Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit claims. We also ensure rent is paid, obtain gas, electric and water accounts, assist clients with budgeting issues and register clients with doctors and dentists. Where clients have higher level needs we refer on to Supporting People providers for more intense and long term support. 

On a more long term basis we assist clients to: access education, particularly ESOL provision and support clients in their efforts to obtain employment, further education and training, referring on to specialist agencies where necessary. We also assist clients to apply for travel documents and provide basic level immigration advice so that they can obtain permanent status here and complete their resettlement.

For the latest statistics on our clients please view our latest annual report.