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Regional and Local News

Job Opportunities with Ipswich & Suffolk Council for Racial Equality

ISCRE, in partnership with CSV Media and West Suffolk College are leading on an innovative project, designed to develop appropriate and responsive English training for Migrant workers across Suffolk. The project is supported and funded by the Learning and Skills Council Suffolk and the European Social Fund. It has 3 key elements:

Research into current provision – in respect of location and identification of need
Development and delivery of a new English programme– this will take place in the main in the West of Suffolk
Welcome pack – an important resource, the pack will be designed to be of maximum benefit to help Migrant Workers get by in Suffolk

The project will start in June through to March 2008 and ISCRE are looking for the following temporary staff to work over this period. For more information click here

Launch of regional Migrant Worker support hotline ( May 2007) - 0871 423 1334
On Tuesday 1st May the META hotline (Mobile Europeans Taking Action) was launched to provide information, guidance and support for migrant workers in the Eastern region. The hotline will act as a ‘first contact’, signpost to relevant services as well as enabling migrant to find out information in their own language. Migrant speaking Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Lithuanian or Czech will be able to call the hotline and when they identify their language of their choice they will be connected with an assistant who speaks their language. Guidance will be available on where to get help and advice in the UK, as well as information about rights to live and work in the UK, welfare benefits, housing, public services, driving in the UK and signposting to Consulates, Job Centre Plus, Adult Education and other local service providers. This is a pilot project, funded by EEDA to operate 16 hours a week from 8am-12noon and 2pm-6pm Tuesdays and Wednesdays on 0871 423 1334

For more information click here to see leaflet in English

In Polish
In Lithuanian
In Czech
In Portuguese
In Russian

Overview & Implications of the Government’s New Asylum Model by Refugee Council(March 2007) ....Click here for more details

E-NEWS April 3rd, 2007 from Support Advocacy Innovation for those delivering supported housing services in the East of England. Space East e-news bulletin is a bi-weekly production which aims to keep member organisations up-to-date with information that is affecting the sector. click here for more details

Weekly News Flash from NCCG click here for more details

The East of England Regional Assembly-Consortium for Asylum-seeker and Refugee Integration (EERA-CARI) latest regional and national information on strategies and policies relating to asylum and refugee integration.click here for more

Immigration Law practitioner’s Association News update on LEGACY CASES
click here for more details

International News

National News

Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) Reform Programme (Posted 9/3/07)

The Home Office are reforming the arrangement for UASC support and accommodation to bring much needed improvements in efficiency and consistency of approach. The UASC reform programme consultation document "Planning Better Outcomes and Support for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children" was published on the 1^st March 2007. The consultation period will run until the 31^st May 2007.

Main proposals:

Policy will affect new applicants only.
Sponsor key messages on UK asylum process in UASC main countries of origin.
Changes to initial assessments - using dental examination and other medical techniques to improve age assessments.
Case transfers – 50-60 specialist authorities in the UK set-up away from London and the South East mainly.
Improved support arrangements - more consistent care planning between social workers and immigration including the appropriate use of specialist foster carers, and shared housing for those over 16.
Faster asylum decision – end-to-end approach through single case owner. UASC aged 12 or over will be interviewed about their asylum claim by specially trained staff.
Reduced leaving care costs – discretionary leave available to young people aged up to 17½ to allow time for appeals to be concluded before the young person turns 18.
Removal to country of origin – greater focus on removal at the end of process. Enforced removal prior to 18^th birthday if reception arrangement in country of origin can be made. Enhanced voluntary package to failed UASC who have reached the age of 18 with incentives to take up these packages, such as a reduction in the amount of resettlement assistance available to the young person in their country of origin over a set period.