Consolidated Advisory Services Summary of changes

Presented by: Fay BeebeeDate: 5 March 2014

Consolidated Advisory ServicesCurrent / future summary

Current

• Combined grant agreements for the Initial Accommodation Wraparound (IAWS) and One Stop Services (OSS)

• Services delivered by 5 organisations providing unique regional variations on a basic terms of reference

• Regional model supported regional structure within UKBA

• 09:00 – 13:00; 14:00 – 17:00 Mon- Fri coverage

Future – from 1st April 2014• Assistance in completing support

applications (and change of circumstance notifications) delivered through one national contract (Asylum Support Applications UK)

• Advice and guidance provided through one national grant agreement (Asylum Advice UK)

• Migrant Helpline successful in both competitive tenders, which will ensure strong links between services

• National model aligns to centralisation of HO functions, and will ensure consistency

• 08.30 – 17.30 Mon – Fri coverage (plus OOH service)

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Consolidated Advisory Services Support Application Assistance

Current• Applicants residing in IA receive

assistance in completing support application form within 2 working days through the IA Wraparound Service (IAWS)

• IAWS includes provision of a dispersal briefing

• IAWS co-located in office space at block initial accommodation

• Ad hoc assistance with support applications and change of circumstance notifications to non-IA applicants through regional One Stop Services

Future • Referrals received before 3pm will

receive same day assistance. Referrals received after 3pm will be acknowledged and then services provided on the next working day.

• Dispersal briefing provided to applicants in IA under the COMPASS contracts

• Migrant Helpline has arranged to be located within IA accommodation

• Non-IA services delivered from satellite offices – Wakefield, Glasgow and Cardiff agreed so far. Model used successfully before (regular surgeries in Hastings)

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Consolidated Advisory ServicesAdvice and Guidance (1)

Current (OSS)• Independent advice on asylum process

and life in UK to newly arrived asylum applicants, those who’ve received the decision on their asylum application and successful applicants, including :

– * housing problems; * contacting agencies such as social services; * finding /joining English-language classes; * questions about asylum support; * advice about legal representation; * information about returning home and the voluntary scheme; Section 4 queries.

– * help if needed to applicants who are victims of or witnesses to crime, domestic violence, racial harassment.

• Focused on those who are being or have been supported by the authority

Future • Proactive (general) advice and guidance

about each key touch point in the asylum process:

- * notification of intent to claim asylum; * registering detailing of asylum claim – screening; * substantive interview; * post-interview – pre-decision; * post initial and appeal outcome decision (inc. Further reps)

• Reactive advice and guidance to address specific circumstances as related by applicants (same as for OSS), facilitating access to relevant support, advice, or signposting to other public services

• Proactive and reactive advice available in minimum of 7 languages throughout each working day

• Referrals from range of sources. Focused on all asylum applicants (not just those who are or have been supported)

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Consolidated Advisory Services Advice and Guidance (2)

Current• All staff delivering the services are

registered with the Office of Immigration Service Commissioner (OISC)

• The current arrangements do not include provision for involvement in the decision making process on a Client’s application

Future • All staff delivering the services are

registered with the Office of Immigration Service Commissioner (OISC)

• The new arrangements do not include provision for:

– Legal representation (whether in person or in writing) about the grounds for an asylum claim or appeal against a decision to refuse asylum or asylum support.

– They will instead refer clients to accredited legal advisors when they want to discuss the outcome of a claim or any appeal.

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