Information for asylum -seeking children from Afghanistan ... · Information for asylum -seeking children from Afghanistan turning 18 or becoming Appeal Rights Exhausted Introduction

Information for asylum-seeking children from Afghanistan turning 18 or becoming ARE Published by Refugee Support Network, August 2016 [email protected]

Information for asylum-seeking children from Afghanistan turning 18 or

becoming Appeal Rights Exhausted

Introduction Refugee Support Network (RSN) is a charity in London which exists to help young asylum seekers and refugees find more hopeful futures through education. Between 2013 and 2016 we ran a project called Youth on the Move. Through Youth on the Move we helped 18-23 year old Appeal Rights Exhausted (ARE) Afghans to explore their options for remaining in the UK, find solicitors, get support with health, housing and education, and prepare for the worse case scenario of forced return. Youth on the Move is now closed but we hope that this information will help you find the help and support you need. This information is accurate in August 2016. Even though some people find it scary to think about what happens next, it is important to understand your situation and prepare as much as you can for different challenges that some people face. We also have another guide for teachers, social workers and support workers. Please contact Emily Bowerman at Refugee Support Network to find out more ([email protected])

Please note that this information is correct at the time of publication and may havesubsequently changed.


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Contents 1. Asylum and immigration

1.1 I need to find a good solicitor to help me. What should I do? (p2) 1.2 How can I prepare for my meeting with a solicitor? What should I take with me? (p2) 1.3 I’ve been asked to start reporting at the Home Office and I’m nervous that I might get detained, what should I do? (p3) 1.4 What will happen if I am detained? Is there anyone who can help me? (p5) 1.5 Is there any other information that could help me in my asylum case? (p5) 1.6 What would happen if I chose to go back to Afghanistan? (p6)

2. Education

2.1 I want to go to college. How can I do this? (p6) 2.2 I’ve tried to enrol at college but I’ve been told I cannot study there because I have no immigration case. Is there anything else that I can do? (p7) 2.3 I want to go to university but I’m not sure whether I have the right status. Where can I look for more information? (p8)

3. Meeting basic needs 3.1 My social worker has told me they may have to stop my support. What can I do? (p8) 3.2 I’ve recently become homeless and I’m looking for advice and practical support, what can I do? (p9)

4. Health and wellbeing

4.1 How can I register with a GP? (p10) 4.2 I’m feeling tense and stressed and having difficulty sleeping. Is there anything that I can do to help myself? (p11) 4.3 Are there groups or activities with other young people that might help me at the moment? (p11) 4.4 I’m feeling really down and have a lot of tension in my head. I’d like to talk to someone, but I’m not sure what to do. Is there anywhere I can get help from? (p12)

5. Contingency planning and life after return (p13)

Appendix 1. List of London-based immigration solicitors (p17) Appendix 2. Contact information for Afghan Red Crescent (p21) Appendix 3. Information about IOM in Afghanistan (p22) Appendix 4. British Red Cross international family tracing information in English, Pashto and Dari (p23)


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1. Asylum and immigration We know that one of the biggest worries and challenges for you when turning 18 is what will happen next in your asylum or immigration application. It is a time when some people have to start reporting (or ‘signing’) at their local Home Office centre.

1.1 I need to find a good solicitor to help me. What should I do? If you don’t know your current immigration status, do not have a solicitor, are worried that you may be forced to leave the UK or want to explore all legal options to remain here, it is essential that you get good legal advice as soon as possible. An excellent starting point for advice and information is the Migrant Children’s Project (MCP) at Coram. This project supports children and young people with legal advice on lots of different issues, including asylum and immigration. You can contact them to get free legal advice about your options and next steps. Helpline (Tuesday - Thursday 10:00am - 4:00pm): 0207 636 8505 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.childrenslegalcentre.com/index.php?page=migrant_children The Migrant Children’s Project also runs some drop-in legal advice clinics at youth groups in London. Contact their helpline to find out the dates, times and venues. Some people think that the only way to get good legal representation is to pay for it, but this is not always true. Many people will qualify for legal aid and will be able to get excellent, and free, legal advice and representation. Watch this simple video to find out what makes a good solicitor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyTOMYjpuHs&feature=youtu.be If you are based in London, try contacting the solicitors and law firms at the end of this guide as they have specialist departments for immigration legal matters.

1.2 How can I prepare for my meeting with a solicitor? What should I take with me? To enable a solicitor to understand your case and to advise you quickly and effectively, it is really helpful if you can organise your important documents into one folder to take to your initial meeting. Important documents include:


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● your decision letter(s) from the Home Office (this is generally called a ‘determination letter’ and is addressed from the Home Office to you. These letters are usually several pages long, explaining how they have made their decision, and include a section called ‘reasons for refusal’).

● any letters from the different immigration appeal courts (for any appeals at the first

or upper tier tribunal courts, or court of appeal. These will be addressed from the relevant court of appeal to you and will also often be several pages long, explaining their decision).

If you can, write a short summary about your immigration case so far. Ask a support worker to help you. This should include:

○ Your name ○ Your date of birth ○ Your country and province/city you are from: (E.g. Afghanistan, Nangahar

/Baghlan /Kunduz etc.) ○ Date you arrived in the UK ○ Dates of any decisions or appeal hearings ○ Name of previous solicitors ○ Date that your case was finally refused (if relevant) ○ Any new evidence that you might have ○ Details of the local authority / social services that are supporting you (if relevant)

Don’t forget to watch this video before you meet your solicitor as it helps you to understand what to expect from your solicitor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyTOMYjpuHs&feature=youtu.be

1.3 I’ve been asked to start reporting at the Home Office and I’m nervous that I might get detained, what should I do? Sometimes when you turn 18, and often if you have had a refusal in your asylum or immigration case, you will be required to start reporting. It is important to report if you are asked to, even if you feel scared. Many people report on a regular basis and never have any problems. Here are some things you can do to prepare for reporting. If you have any problems or are detained, these simple actions will ensure that your friends, solicitor and support worker will be able to help you quickly. Before you start reporting, it is important that you:

● Get a non-smart phone (a basic phone without internet). If you are detained, your smart phone will be taken away for the time you are in detention. Your non-smart phone


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will be an important way for people to get in touch with you. Make sure you have credit on your phone.

● Programme your emergency numbers into your non-smart phone. These should

include the names and phone numbers of important people in your life, including your solicitor, social worker, key worker, teacher, best friend(s), family member(s) and anyone else you would want to know where you are and how they can help you.

● Write down your emergency numbers on a card/piece of paper. Keep this with you

at all times in case you are unable to use your phones.

● Collect together any important documents and letters about your asylum or immigration case and status . You should keep these together somewhere so that someone that you trust can get them easily in case they are needed by a solicitor.

● If you can, write a short summary of your asylum/immigration case, which should

be kept with the documents listed above. If there is someone who you trust (social worker, key worker, best friend), email this to them as well in case they need to access it for you.

● Find someone who you can get in touch with each time you go to report. Maybe

this is a person who could go along with you, or someone who you could call or text when you go so that they know when you are reporting.

● Write a list of any medications that you are taking, as well as the names and phone

numbers of any doctors, counsellors or other health services that you are seeing. When you are reporting, it is important that you…

● Make sure that you call or text your someone when you go into the reporting centre. This means that they know when you are reporting and can try to work out when they should be hearing from you again.

● Make sure that you telephone or text that same person when you are out of the

reporting centre again. *If the person does not hear from you after 45 minutes, they should phone you. If they are not able to get through, you should ask them to carry on phoning you every 10-15 minutes until they can get through. If they have not been able to speak to you for 1.5 hours, they should phone your solicitor and other important people supporting you to tell them. It is important the the person who calls you knows who they should get in contact with if there is an emergency, and knows where your important documents are saved/stored. If


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there is a problem and you are detained, this may help to speed up the process of any possible support or intervention.

● If you can, ask someone to go with you. This might be a key worker or friend. We’ve found that it can help reduce stress and anxiety if you have someone that can go with you.

● Make sure that you have the list of medicines that you are taking with you, as well

as the name(s) phone number(s) of any medical professionals working with you. If you are detained, it will be important that the centre’s medical team can find out more information about your health needs as soon as possible. If you are taking medicine for any serious illness, you should bring the medicine with you.

1.4 What will happen if I am detained? Is there anyone who can help me? If you are detained, here are two important things you should do:

1) Try to get legal advice as soon as possible: If you have a solicitor, get in touch with them or find out about the legal advice available in the detention centre. The Home Office should give you information about legal drop in sessions with solicitors

2) Make contact with a local support organisation who can visit you and help you find

out about legal advice or other information you need. You should be able to find out about these organisations by asking staff in the detention centre or looking at a notice board. Also contact British Red Cross (see page 23).

Don’t forget to do everything you can to prepare for the possibility of detention (see section 1.3 for a list of things to do). The sooner your friends, solicitor and support worker know that you have been detained, the sooner they will be able to help you. You can’t use your smart phone in detention so make sure that it is not your only way of contacting people.

1.5 Is there any other information that could help me in my asylum case? RSN has recently written a report (After Return: documenting the experiences of young people forcibly removed to Afghanistan) about the experiences of young Afghans who are forcibly removed to Afghanistan. Some young people have found this to be useful additional evidence in their asylum applications or at appeal hearings. A copy of After Return can be downloaded from RSN’s website. Make sure you tell your solicitor about this report.


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You could also contact Asylos, a volunteer network which helps people find evidence in support of their cases: http://asylos.eu/

1.6 What would happen if I chose to go back to Afghanistan? Sometimes people decide that they will return to Afghanistan voluntarily through a programme called Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR). You can find out more about this on the Home Office website. However, if you contact the Home Office about voluntary return it can have an impact on any outstanding protection or human rights-based claim that you have made. We recommend that you discuss this option with a support worker or solicitor before contacting the Home Office.

2. Education If you’re able to, staying in education is a really positive thing. It is good to continue to see your friends and teachers, to be in a supportive environment and to keep moving forward in your studies. Also, if you turn 21 and are not in education, your support from social services will stop. Sometimes it is hard to know if, or to prove, that you’re still allowed to study in the UK. This information may help you.

2.1 I want to go to college. How can I do this? Young asylum seekers are generally able to study further education courses at colleges, however it can be difficult to prove that you are eligible, particularly if you have been ARE in the past, struggle to provide the necessary documents or are over 19. Students are generally asked to show evidence that they are an asylum seeker (eg an ARC card) and may also be asked to show how they are financially supported (eg bank statements, benefit letters, a letter from social services). If you are not sure whether or not you are allowed to study or what documents you need, look at this fact sheet from Coram MCP: http://www.childrenslegalcentre.com/index.php?page=mcp_factsheets_education_work RSN also runs a specialist educational support programme which helps young asylum seekers and refugees get into education when they are having difficulty doing so. Contact us to find out more on 07481 917532 or [email protected] If possible, try to find a support worker or advocate who can go with you to enrol and help you explain your situation.


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2.2 I’ve tried to enrol at college but I’ve been told I cannot study there because I have no immigration case. Is there anything else that I can do? Some organisations offer or advertise alternatives (such as free English or Maths classes) to people who cannot study at college. In London, these include:

Organisation More information and contact details

The Refugee Council Youth Team

[email protected] 020 7346 1181 http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/what_we_do/childrens_services/youth_activities_and_educational_services

Afghan Association Paiwand [email protected] 020 8905 8770 http://www.paiwand.com/education/esol-classes/

Crisis

[email protected] 0300 636 1967 (Switchboard - ask to speak to someone about classes) http://www.crisis.org.uk/pages/classes.html

Princes Trust

Call 0800 842 842 or text ‘call me’ to 07983 385418 https://www.princes-trust.org.uk/help-for-young-people/opportunities-near-me?&currentLocationSearch=true

New Horizon Youth Centre 0207 388 5570 http://nhyouthcentre.org.uk/

Calat http://www.calat.ac.uk/ http://www.calat.ac.uk/contact-us/

Workers Educational Association

https://www.wea.org.uk/ https://www.wea.org.uk/contact-us

South London Refugee Association

02034903443 [email protected] www.asylumwelcome.org.uk


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2.3 I want to go to university but I’m not sure whether I have the right status. Where can I look for more information? Asylum seekers and those with DLR are allowed to go to university but cannot get financial support for their fees. Some universities offer free places to asylum seekers and there are other grants you can apply for. Contact RSN when you are thinking about applying to university so that you can get good advice at the start of the process.

RSN’s Higher Education helpline Mondays and Thursdays from 2-5pm

07597583228 (You can send a text if you want a call back) Free from a landline: 0800 331 7292 [email protected]

3. Meeting basic needs When you become Appeal Rights Exhausted your support may change: social services support might be stopped and you might lose your house or your weekly subsistence support.

3.1 My social worker has told me they may have to stop my support. What can I do? There are procedures that social services should follow before they can stop supporting you, like a human rights assessment (HRA) which will normally include you, your social worker and a member of the management from their team. It can be really helpful for you to have an advocate with you at this meeting. There are a few different services in London that provide this support. Get advice or an advocate:

● Coram Voice offer a helpline for young people who are supported by the local authority, and can act as advocates and mediators between you and your local authority. If you call their free-phone number, one of their advocates will give you advice and, depending on which London borough you are supported by, may be able to help you in person.

● Monday - Friday 09:30am - 6pm, 0808 800 5792 (free phone), http://www.coramvoice.org.uk

Get good information:

● Coram MCP have also produced a number of helpful factsheets for young asylum seekers, refugees and migrants who are supported by the local authority. These can be downloaded from their website:


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http://www.childrenslegalcentre.com/index.php?page=mcp_factsheets_support_children_care_leavers

● You can also contact them by phone or email through their helpline service to ask for advice: Tuesday - Thursday 10:00am - 4:00pm, 0207 636 8505, [email protected]

3.2 I’ve recently become homeless and I’m looking for advice and practical support, what can I do? There are some services which can give you advice, signposting, and temporary support are homeless or unable to access public funds. Other organisations may be able to advise and assist you to make an application to the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) for Section 4 support (if you are ARE) or Section 95 support (if you are an asylum seeker). It is important to get advice and help as soon as possible. Here are some services in London:

Service Contact details

British Red Cross Refugee Youth Team Opening hours: Lewisham – Mondays 5.30pm-8pm Islington – Tuesdays 5.30pm-8pm Hammersmith – Wednesdays 5.30pm-8pm Croydon - Saturdays 12:30pm-3pm http://www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/Refugee-support/Support-for-young-refugees

Ember Hibbert, Young Refugee Service Manager: 07950914063 Ceridwen Lewis, Young Refugee Case Worker: 07432727792

The Children’s Society Destitution Project Contact: http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/helping-children/destitution-project

Astrid Paluzzi: [email protected] Kalyani Mccarthy: [email protected] 020 8221 8215 (landline) 07720 940561 (mobile)


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The Refugee Council Destitution Support Opening hours: Fridays 11.00 - 16.00 https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/what_we_do/multilingual_advice_for_asylum_seekers/destitution_support

Hackney Day Centre Red Cross Building 92 Dalston Lane Hackney London, E8 1NG

No Accommodation Network (NACCOM) http://naccom.org.uk

[email protected] 0161 706 0185

Refugee Action http://www.refugee-action.org.uk/in_your_area/london/visit_this_office

0207 952 1599 Nicolette Muzazi: [email protected]

Refugees at Home http://www.refugeesathome.org/

4. Health and wellbeing It is important to look after yourself and to prioritise your health and wellbeing as much as possible. This can be more difficult if you’re struggling to register with a GP or other health care services. If you become ARE, you are still entitled to free primary health care (including a GP), and to some secondary health care services.

4.1 How can I register with a GP? Sometimes people can find it more difficult to register with a GP if they have become homeless. You will be asked to provide proof of address when you come to register, and this proof can be difficult to get if you do not have a fixed address. Support organisations like the Children’s Society Destitution Project or the British Red Cross Refugee Youth Team (see section 3.2 above) can help you to register, sometimes providing a letter to act as proof of your address. Coram MCP have also written some very helpful factsheets to explain what healthcare you are entitled to. They have separate factsheets for primary and secondary health care, as well as for mental health care. These can be downloaded from their website: http://www.childrenslegalcentre.com/index.php?page=mcp_factsheets_and_resources_healthcare Doctors of the World can also provide advice and support, as well as medical treatment for undocumented migrants. See: https://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/pages/UK-Programme


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4.2 I’m feeling tense and stressed and having difficulty sleeping. Is there anything that I can do to help myself? If you are feeling anxious or stressed, try these things to help you avoid panic, sleeplessness, and tension: Practise deep breathing When they are anxious, people tend to breathe too fast and too shallow, only inhaling into their upper chest. Instead:

● Place one hand on stomach and one on chest ● Breathe in to the count of three

○ Make sure stomach moves out and not your chest ○ Hold for a few seconds

● Slowly breathe out to a count of three again making sure the hand on your stomach is moving and not the one on your chest.

Exercise A simple activity like going for a walk can make you feel much calmer. Try to go for a short walk at least every other day. Do you live near a nice park where you can walk? Avoid using your phone at night Watching things on your phone before you go to bed can affect how well you sleep. Try listening to music or reading instead. Some other useful resources:

NHS ‘Five Steps to Mental Wellbeing’: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/pages/improve-mental-wellbeing.aspx

Brighter Futures resources to help promote emotional well-being and good mental health: http://www.brighterfutureslondon.co.uk/wellbeingtoolkit/.

4.3 Are there groups or activities with other young people that might help me at the moment? Being around other people - playing games or sports, eating together, doing music, dance or theatre - can be really helpful ways of making you feel a bit better. Sports and other physical activities are a really good way of reducing stress. If there is a particular sport that you like (boxing, cricket, yoga, football etc.), have a look for local clubs or


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teams online. You may also find that your college gives gym membership at a discounted rate or has sports clubs that you can join. If you’re in London, contact these organisations to find out about the groups and activities they offer. If you feel nervous about going by yourself for the first time, why not ask a friend or support worker to go with you.

Service Contact

The Refugee Council Youth Team Youth Centre, English classes, Cricket club and more: http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/what_we_do/childrens_services/youth_activities_and_educational_services

Joe Jakes: [email protected] 020 73461181

Young Roots Weekly youth clubs (North West London, Croydon): http://youngroots.org.uk/london/

020 8684 9140 [email protected]

Brighter Futures Weekly young group and social activities (Bethnal Green - East London): http://www.brighterfutureslondon.co.uk/

Emma Gardiner: [email protected] 020 7749 7614

Afghan Association Paiwand Mentoring, Theatre, Football club, Social activities and outings (Harrow - North West London): http://www.paiwand.com/

Youth team: 020 8905 8770 [email protected]

4.4 I’m feeling really down and have a lot of tension in my head. I’d like to talk to someone, but I’m not sure what to do. Is there anywhere I can get help from? It may become helpful to speak with a counsellor or other professional about how you are feeling. This is often known as ‘talking-based therapy’. Talking to your GP, social worker or other support worker is a good starting point as they can help refer you to an appropriate service, but you could also try contacting these services directly.


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Service Contact details

Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust https://tavistockandportman.nhs.uk/care-and-treatment/our-clinical-services/refugee-service/

020 8938 2507 [email protected] Tavistock Centre, 120 Belsize Lane, London NW3 5BA

Compass ‘Off the Record’ Counselling http://www.offtherecordcroydon.org/our-services/compass.aspx

020 8251 0251 [email protected] 72 Queens Road, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 2PR

Mind http://www.mind.org.uk/

Find a local service and contact details here: http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/local-minds/

IAPT services (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) http://www.iapt.nhs.uk/

Find a local service and contact details here: http://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/Psychological%20therapies%20(IAPT)/LocationSearch/10008

Refugee Council: My View project http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/myview


Afghan Association Paiwand http://www.paiwand.com/mental-health/

Dr. Ghulam Farooq: 07476351734 [email protected]

5. Contingency planning and life after return It can be really difficult to think about what you would do if you were forcibly returned to Afghanistan. Often, it is not what you would choose to do and it can be scary to think about it. But it is important to think through all the options and possibilities, including those which you wouldn’t choose. It is vital to have an idea of what you would do, or who you could look to for advice or support, in a difficult situation. Here are some things to think about and some actions you can take. It often helps to talk this through with someone. Can you look at these questions and actions with a friend, support worker, key worker, teacher or other person whom you trust.


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Things to think about... Actions to take...

Have you set up an email account for yourself? Email is useful for communicating with important people in your life, including solicitors or other professionals. It can also be a good way of storing copies of important documents - immigration, ID, school certificates, CVs etc. This can be helpful if you come to need the information later (if you’ve had to leave the UK) and you don’t have the original documents anymore.

Have you…

• Set up an email address? • Stored your log-in details (username

and password) in a safe place? • Practiced using email (becoming

confident in writing and sending emails)?

• Emailed yourself important documents (e.g. copies of my school certificates and legal documents)?

Have you stored or saved contact information for important people in your life somewhere safe? It’s important that all your phone numbers and email addresses for friends, solicitor, support worker etc. are backed up so that if you lose your phone you don’t lose all your contacts. You will probably want to keep in touch with certain people, and may need to speak to support workers or solicitors, even if you are not able to stay in the UK. It is helpful to have their contact information somewhere safe that you will be able to access.

Have you…

• Made sure that phone numbers are saved on your SIM in case you need to change handset?

• Written down important numbers and email addresses, keeping them with you at all times?

• Shared important contact information with people who you trust. For example, you could tell your best friend how they can contact your support worker, or your support worker how to contact your solicitor etc.)?

Have you set up a Facebook account for yourself? Facebook is a good way of staying in touch with people wherever you are. It’s good to connect with friends and other important people in your life.

Have you…

• Set up a Facebook log-in? • Saved the log-in details (username,

password, security information) somewhere safe that you will always


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be able to access? • Added friends, family, and other

important people in your life to your Facebook page?

• Looked into whether there are any Facebook pages for groups or organisations that could give you advice, information or support - especially if you are forcibly returned to your home country?

• Added the Facebook page for any support networks you have in the UK (e.g. RSN)?

Do you have any health needs or take any medicines? If you are taking regular medication, or having treatment for a health issue or illness - either physical or mental - it is important to know exactly what you have been prescribed, or they type of treatment you have been having, or health care professional you have been seeing. If you are able to access health care in your home country, this will help them to identify the treatment you have had so far.

Have you…

• Written down the names of any prescribed medicines you are taking (if it is easier - you can always photocopy one of your GP prescriptions)? TOP TIP: You could email this information to yourself so that you can access it from anywhere in the world.

• Written down the types of health care professionals that might be supporting you (e.g. “I have a counsellor and see them every week”).

• If you are reporting and are worried you are at risk of being detained, can you bring your medicines with you when you go to the reporting centre?

Have you thought about how you might make it easier for yourself to get a job or to return to college or university in your home country? It’s useful to have a CV to show your skills and any work experience you’ve been able to do whilst living in the UK. It’s also really helpful to be able to show what level of education you have achieved, so it

Have you... • Started to write your own CV? You

could ask a teacher or support worker for help with this.

• Looked at some example CVs to get ideas?

• Thought about the types of things you are good at and the things you enjoy?

• Scanned and saved any copies of school, college or university certificates? You could email these to yourself.


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helps to make sure you have copies of your certificates.

• Thought about your current options for education? Are there any courses you’d like to do? What would you need to access them?

• Thought about any other courses that could help you prepare if you had to return to your home country? (E.g. language skills - reading and writing).

• Asked for a reference from a teacher, support worker, or former employer?

Have you thought about or tried to trace any family members in your home country? Family can often be a really important means of personal support and security. When people become separated from family because of war or other difficulties, it can be possible to try and trace/locate them. The International Committee for the Red Cross and Red Crescent (ICRC) is the biggest provider of family tracing. They work through local agencies to help people to try and find and reconnect with family members.

Have you…

• Looked into family tracing options through the British Red Cross International Family Tracing service?

• Got advice and contact information for the local Red Cross or Red Crescent organisation in your home country?

• Tried to write down key details from what you remember of where you or your family members were living, before you came to the UK? You could also try to create a map if that helps.

Do you have any money in the UK and would you be able to access it if you were forced to leave? Occasionally, people will have or may be given money that could be used to help them settle back in their home country. Have you thought about how you can access this money?

Have you…

• Set up a bank account, where it is possible to do so, and saved any money there?

• Have you set up online banking, which may allow you to transfer that money to a local bank account in your home country, if needed?


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Appendix 1. List of London-based immigration solicitors This is a list of London-based immigration solicitors you could try contacting. Inclusion in this list does not equate to an endorsement. Name Address Phone/ Fax/ Email

Afro-Asian Advisory Service 53 Addington Square London SE5 7LB

T: 0207 701 0141 Advice Line: 08456185385

Aman Solicitors Advocates 295 Harrow Road, Wembley Triangle Middx HA9 6BD

T: 020 8782 3776 F: 020 8782 3778

Bindman & Partners 275 Grays Inn Rd London WC1X 8QF


Birnberg Pierce Call for Immigration appts Tuesdays and Thursdays between 3-4pm

14 Inverness St London NW1

020 7911 0166 Only Tues & Thurs 2pm - 4pm

Blavo & Co Solicitors (do not do legal aid for Family Reunion)

19 John Street London WC1N 2DL

T: 020 7025 2020 F: 020 7404 1650

CK Solicitors 717 High Road Leytonstone E11 4RD

T: 020 8536 9911 F: 020 8536 9922

Cleveland & Co Solicitors 1st & 2nd Floor 234-236 Whitechapel Road London E1 1BJ

T: 020 7377 8866 F: 020 7377 8844

Christian Gottfried & Co.

020 8808 1182

Elder Rahimi 2nd floor, Norven House 45-55 Commercial St, E1 6BD

020 7377 6600

Fadiga & Co 257-259 Balham High Road, London SW17 7BD

Tel: 020 8672 8779 Fax:020 8675 5958

Fisher Meredith (no longer do legal aid)

Blue Sky House, 405 Kennington Road, London SE11 4PT


Fletcher Dervish & Co 582-584 Green Lanes London N8 0RP

T: 0208 800 4615 F: 0208 802 2273


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Howe & Co. Craven House 40 Uxbridge Road London W5 2BS

T: 0208 840 4688 F: 0208 840 7209

Irving & Co 152-6 Kentish Town Road, NW1 9QB

T: 020 7428 9601 F: 020 7428 9600

JD Spicer & Co 87 Kilburn High Road NW6 6JE

020 7625 5590

Lawrence Lupin & Co. Dexion House, 2-4 Empire Way Wembley, London HA9 0EF Do a drop in Tuesday 10-12 am.

020 8733 7200 020 8733 7250 [email protected]

Luqmani Thompson 77-79 High Rd Wood Green London N22 6BB


MKM Solicitors 2nd floor , 215 – 221 Green Street London, E7 8LL

T: 020 8548 9490 F: 020 8470 7970

Ozoran Turkan Solicitors (No longer doing Legal Aid)

203 Green Lanes London N16 9DJ

T: 0207 354 0802 F: 0207 704 9121

Palis Solicitors 1st Floor, 157 Kilburn High Road London NW6 7HU

T: 0207 6043572 F: 0207 3289232

Pinidiya Solicitors Llp 83a South Road, Southall Middlesex UB1 1SQ

T: 0208 571 3535 F: 0208 571 3535

Rahman and Co Solicitors 33 West Green Road London, N15 5BY

T: 020 8809 4643

Scudamores Solicitors 132 Snakes Lane East Woodford Green IG8 7HZ

T: 08448 802 323 F: 08448 802 322

Sriharans Do not do NASS appeals w/o asylum case

223 The Broadway Southall Middlesex UB1 1ND

T: 020 8843 9974 F: 020 8574 1766

Sutovic & Hartigan 271 The High Street, Acton W3 9BT

T 020 8993 5544 F 020 8993 2555 Sutovichartigan.bojana @googlemail.com

Wilson & Co. 697 High Rd, London N17 8AD

020 8808 7535 immigration @wilsons-solicitors.org.uk


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DROP IN SERVICES

Name Address Opening Times Phone

Lawrence Lupin & Co.

Dexion House, 2-4 Empire Way Wembley, London HA9 0EF

Tuesday 10-12 am. 020 8733 7200

Migrant Resource Centre

24 Churton Street, London SW1V 2LP

Call for opening times 0845 241 0961

Fadiga & Co 2 The Boulevard Balham High Road London SW17 7BW

Saturday 11am - 1:30pm 30 minutes free assessment. Bring all relevant documents

020 8672 8779

CLC Solicitors 101 Chamberlayne Road Kensal Rise London NW10 3NP

Saturday 10am - 12pm. Bring all relevant documents

020 8960 3200

HELPLINES

Name Helpline Times Phone

Asylum Aid Tuesday 10am – 12pm 020 7354 9264

Migrant Resource Centre Tuesday, Wednesday 10.00 – 12.00

0845 241 0961

Community legal Advice Mon - Fri 9am - 8:00pm Sat 9am - 12:30pm

0845 345 43 45

Hackney Community Law Centre Mon – Fri 10.00am-1.00pm Fri 2pm – 4.30pm

0208 985 8364

LAW CENTRES You can find out about other law centres in your area here: www.lawcentres.org.uk Name Address Phone/ Fax/ Email

Battersea Law Centre Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm Please note - not a drop-in service.

125 Bolingbroke Grove London SW11 1DA

Tel: 020 7585 0716 Fax: 020 7585 0718 Email: [email protected]

Brent Community Law Centre Mon: 1pm - 3pm, 1pm - 4pm phone Tue: 1pm - 4pm phone Wed: 1pm - 4pm outreach

389 High Road Willesden London NW10 2JR

Telephone: 020 8451 1122 Fax: 020 8208 5734 Email: [email protected] Legal Advice Line: (020) 8451 1122 Mon - Tues: 10.00am - 6.00pm. Wed: 10.00am - 2.00pm


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alternate weeks Thu: 10am - 1pm phone, 3pm - 5pm drop-in Fri: 10am - 1pm phone

Cambridge House Law Centre 137 Camberwell Road London SE5 0HF


Camden Community Law Centre 2 Prince of Wales Road London NW5 3LQ

Tel: 020 72846510 Fax: 020 7267 6218 Email: [email protected] Website: www.cclc.org.uk

Central London Law Centre Telephone advice for London areas where there is no other advice services available Monday to Friday 11am to 5.30pm Housing and Immigration drop in sessions temporarily suspended.

75 Westminster Bridge Road London SE1 7HS

Tel: 020 7921 4353 Fax: 020 7921 4480 Personal callers by appointment only: 020 7636 6000 Website: www.londonlawcentre.org.uk

Croydon and Sutton Law Centre (part of South West London Law Centres)

79 Park Lane CRO 1JG London

Tel: 020 8667 9226 Fax: 020 8662 8079

Greenwich Community Law Centre Mon: 1pm - 3pm, 1pm - 4pm phone Tue: 1pm - 4pm phone Wed: 1pm - 4pm outreach alternate weeks Thu: 10am - 1pm phone, 3pm - 5pm drop-in Fri: 10am - 1pm phone

187 Trafalgar Road London SE10 9EQ


Hackney Law Centre 8 Lower Clapton Road London E5 0PD

Tel: 0208 985 5236 (Reception 9.30-5.30pm) Advice Line : 0208 985 8364 Mon – Fri 10.00am -1.00pm Fri 2.00pm - 4.30pm

Haringey Law Centre Mon: 2.00 pm- 4.00pm Appts only Tue: 10.00am -1.00pm Drop in session Wed: Appts only for existing clients Thu: 10.00am-1.00pm Drop in session

Ground Floor Offices 7 Holcombe Road N17 9AA Tottenham



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Fri: Appts only for existing clients

Islington Law Centre

Call between 10-12 on Mondays

161 Hornsey Road London N7 6DU

Tel: 020 7288 7630

Fax: 020 7700 0072

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.islingtonlaw.org

Lambeth Law Centre Unit 4 the Co-op Centre 11 Mowll Street London SW9 6BG

Tel: 020 7840 2000 (Advice Line) Fax: 020 7820 8303 Email: [email protected]

Southwark Law Centre Hanover Park House 14-16 Hanover Park Peckham SE15 5HG

Tel: 020 7732 2008 Fax: 0207 732 2034

Tower Hamlets Law Centre Mon: 10am – 1pm, 2pm – 4pm. Evening advice session 6.30PM - 8PM. Tue: 10am – 1pm Wed: 10am – 1pm, 2pm – 4pm Thu: 10am – 1pm, 2pm – 4pm Fri: 10am – 1pm, 2pm – 4pm

214 Whitechapel Road London E1 1BJ

Tel: 020 7247 8998 Fax: 020 7247 9424 Email: [email protected] Website: www.thlc.co.uk

Appendix 2. Contact information for Afghan Red Crescent The original information has changed and has been removed at the organisation'srequest.


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Appendix 3. Information about IOM in Afghanistan

Note: This information is copied and pasted from an IOM leaflet (2014) about their services in Afghanistan.

HOW TO APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE Please contact IOM Main Office Street No. 3, House No. 28, (Opposite German Clinic) Ansari Square, Shahr-e-Naw, Kabul, Afghanistan or any of the Sub-Offices (see the attached address sheet). Working days/time: Sunday – Thursday, 0800AM – 0500PM

• For reintegration assistance please contact: 0799870358 • For cargo, transportation and lost luggage please contact: 0799 320031 • For Medical Assistance please contact: 0707 347945

Note: you will have to register yourself for the reintegration assistance in one of the IOM offices in Afghanistan within three months after your arrival. RECEPTION ASSISTANCE:

• Reception assistance (after immigration and customs) • Medical assistance (if required) • Transportation to final destination (if required) • Temporary accommodation (if needed) • Information about Afghanistan such as mine awareness and currency exchange rates

REINTEGRATION ASSISTANCE: You can benefit from the following Reintegration Assistance through IOM Kabul and our Sub-Offices in the country;

• Basic start assistance: Payment of financial assistance • Development of Self Employment Projects (Small Business Start-up) • On-the-Job and vocational training • Educational training (languages, computer etc) • Employment opportunities through Referral Services to different organization

You can also find out more about IOM in Afghanistan by looking at this leaflet on the IOM Sweden Website: http://www.migrationsverket.se/download/18.5e83388f141c129ba6312c54/1381926428037/eribroschure_en.pdf


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Appendix 4. British Red Cross international family tracing information (English, Pashto and Dari)


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Documents

Information for asylum -seeking children from Afghanistan ... · Information for asylum -seeking children from Afghanistan turning 18 or becoming Appeal Rights Exhausted Introduction