Advice and Support
"Without the help on every matter like housing, benefits and education we would have had great difficulty in managing everyday life." Khider, parent from Iraq
Advice and Support
Providing advice and support to refugee families can help improve the situation for both parents and children. Emergency advice sessions are provided by our staff, as well as advocacy on behalf of our clients. We provide a weekly session with the Citizen's advice Bureau (CAB), and refer on to suitable agencies where appropriate.
Background
Schools have always been a source of support and advice for parents about issues relating to their children's education. Nowadays parents, including refugee parents, increasingly turn to schools for support for their own needs and difficulties. They often feel more comfortable talking to school staff they know and trust than they do approaching other, often unfamiliar, agencies.
Recognising that the concerns of their parents can impact negatively on the children's ability to learn, school staffs are usually sympathetic to parents' needs and try to make time to listen and respond. Many home school liaison workers, learning mentors and EMAG co-ordinators have developed an understanding of wider family needs and have sought to respond positively, often through active advocacy.
Good Practice
Many asylum seekers have little information about the asylum process in the UK and what their rights and entitlements are. The Refugee Council produces translated information on a range of topics, accessed over the phone or via their website. It is vital that an asylum seeker finds a legal representative, registered with the Office of Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) to help with his or her asylum claim. The OISC regulates the provision of legal advice and representation, and people not registered to give such advice may be prosecuted.
Case Study: Salusbury WORLD and the Citizen's Advice Bureau
In order to meet the growing demand and complexity of advice work, Salusbury WORLD established a partnership with the local CAB. One of their outreach refuge officers is now based at Salusbury WORLD for half a day a week. He offers half-hour appointments to clients from the school community and from the community at large, and deals with issues such as immigration, welfare benefits, housing and debt.