NEATH PORT TALBOT COUNCIL

NEATH PORT TALBOT SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SAFETY SCRUTINY BOARD

26th January 2023

Report of the Director Social Services, Health & Housing – Andrew Jarrett

Matter for Information

Wards Affected All Wards

ASYLUM DISPERSAL AND REFUGEE SETTLEMENT

Purpose of the Report

The purpose of the report is to advise members of the current situation in respect of asylum dispersal and refugee settlement.

Executive Summary

Immigration laws are very complicated and outside the remit of this report. This report however provides information in respect of the following refugees and asylum programmes, and specifically:

Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children

Asylum Dispersal

Refugee Resettlement Programme(s)

Ukrainian Humanitarian Support

The report sets out the current situation in respect of these four policy areas and details the expectations on the Council. This report also highlights the consequential challenges, as well as the services and support provided by the Council, and its partners. It is important to note that the duties on the Council depend on a person’s immigration status. There are different funding streams for each of the policy areas, and there is often little consistency between them.

Background

Immigration laws are very complicated, and people’s rights will be different dependent on whether they are a ‘refugee’, or an ‘asylum seeker’, a ‘refused asylum seeker’ or someone with another immigration status. It is outside the remit of this report to set out the legislation.

However, for the purposes of this report it is useful to note that a refugee is a person who has fled their own country because they are at risk of serious human rights violations and persecution there. The risks to their safety and life were so great that they felt they had no choice but to leave and seek safety outside their country because their own government cannot or will not protect them from those dangers. Refugees have a right to international protection. An asylum seeker is a person who has left their country and is seeking protection from persecution and serious human rights violations in another country, but who hasn’t yet been legally recognized as a refugee and is waiting to receive a decision on their asylum claim (Amnesty International https://www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/refugees-asylum-seekers-and-migrants/). Neath Port Talbot Council has and will continue to provide humanitarian support and other services (e.g. education), where it can; but this may not always be possible.

The following sets out the current position in respect of the main asylum or resettlement programmes.

National Transfer Scheme for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children

In December 2021, the NPT Council was given formal notice directing it to comply with the National Transfer Scheme (NTS) for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC). This approach supports the shared ambition of achieving a fair and equitable distribution of UASC across the UK.

From 14th December 2021, officials from the Ministry for Safe and Legal Migration began referring young people for placements to NPTC. The transfer of children to their new local authorities is directed within an operational framework and rota system, and led by Children’s Services.

Currently there are 12 UASC who are looked after by Neath Port Talbot and 1 care leaver. 8 are being supported in supported accommodation and 5 in foster care placements. There are significant pressures currently in respect of available foster placements and supported accommodation, therefore this does put additional pressure on an already difficult situation

National Asylum Dispersal Model

Someone claiming asylum may be able to get housing (there is no choice where they can live) and some money whilst their asylum claim is heard, together with access to education, and the National Health Service (NHS).

The Home Office moved to a full asylum dispersal model in September 2022, and, as such, all councils are required to accommodate asylum seekers while their claims for asylum are decided. The key drivers for this new system are to remove reliance on contingency accommodation, to have a more equitable dispersal across the UK, and for Councils to influence dispersal at a local level.

The Welsh Strategic Migration Partnership (WSMP) has developed a plan setting out a collectively agreed approach to dispersal in Wales and how the number of asylum seekers to Wales will be shared. In this plan, the WSMP set out key strategic and operational principles on how asylum dispersal will operate in Wales (at appendix one). There however, remains a concern that low cost/low value areas will bear the brunt for this dispersal model. WSMP has developed an Asylum Dispersal Toolkit to guide local authorities preparing for participation in asylum dispersal.

The dispersal model is based on a population share across 22 Councils on a 1:200 basis, and currently this would mean around 107 people being dispersed to NPT. This figure could increase if for example current dispersal areas reach the maximum number for their area.

The Home Office has contracted with a company called Clearsprings (in Wales) to deliver the asylum accommodation and some support services. Clearsprings are therefore working to procure private rented properties in NPT and is required to discuss the procurement of all properties in advance. To-date Clearsprings has sought the Council’s views on 3 properties for family accommodation, including from a housing/homelessness, community cohesion and education perspective.

Clearsprings will provide housing management and other basic support to anyone placed in this area through this dispersal scheme. Experience from other areas suggests that Councils may need to provide additional support, and discussions are underway with British Red Cross. This will be kept under review.

The above deals with the national dispersal model, but it is noteworthy that the Home Office and Clearpsrings are in desperate need of emergency or contingency accommodation (e.g. hotels). In December 2022, the Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP Minister of State for Immigration wrote to Councils setting out this urgent need, and recognising that engagement with Councils needs to significantly improve. The Minister confirms that ‘using hotels to accommodate asylum seekers is not a long-term solution’ and recognises the potential impact on local communities, including access to public services, community cohesion and public order.

Refugee Resettlement Programmes

The UK Government commenced the UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) in 2021 and it consolidated the existing VPRS (Vulnerable Persons’ Resettlement Scheme, formally known as the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, and the VCRS (Vulnerable Children’s Resettlement Scheme) and other programmes for refugee resettlement. Under the UKRS, the UK will continue to offer a safe and legal route to vulnerable refugees in need of protection.

The government makes funding available to allow councils, healthcare providers and community sponsors to support refugees for the duration of the scheme (currently up to 5 years). NPTC had previously supported 10 families under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme.

Councils are requested to support resettlement of refugees under this scheme. NPTC has not committed to settle any further families under this programme.

The Afghan Relocation Assistance Policy Scheme (ARAP) was launched on 1st April 2021 and replaced the former Afghan Locally Employed Staff (LES) ex-gratia scheme. The Council gave a commitment to settle 3 families immediately and a further 2 families at a later date under the ARAP scheme. Having settled 3 families it is not the service’s immediate intention to settle the further two families, given the pressures locally, although this may change in 2023. The families have settled in well, and are being supported by British Red Cross, who are commissioned by the Council to provide specialist and intensive orientation support.

Ukrainians Humanitarian Response

Two main access routes for people to arrive in the UK from Ukraine

Family Visa Route	Homes for Ukraine

Welsh Government has established itself as a super sponsor under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme. People arriving through the WG super sponsor route are initially either accommodated at welcome centres, or hotels. Efforts are being made to manage the numbers arriving through this route.

The expectation is that individual/families will move on through to more permanent accommodation shared across Wales. The super sponsor route is currently paused, although not everyone with an approved visa has yet travelled. Also the family scheme remains open.

In developing the humanitarian response, the Council arranged several multi-agency and external partnership meetings to ensure partnerships and networks were in place, e.g. with the Health Board, Department of Work & Pensions, Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service, South Wales Police and Mid & West wales Fire & Rescue service. This has paid dividends in terms of the support and engagement of all partners, which is to be commended.

Welcome Centre

The Welcome Centre opened August 30th 2022, after extensive work to get the site ready. The location of the Welcome Centre is not publicised, but is known locally. Welsh Government want to change some of the ‘offer’ to guests at the Welcome Centres, so we are exploring the possibility of charging for the early evening snack, and for the laundry. We will engage with guests around the proposed changes.

The current licence agreement with the Welcome Centre ends on the 31st March 2023, and Welsh Government is considering whether this should be extended. Officers are pressing Welsh Government colleagues for a decision because, if the centre is to close in March, there will need to be an exit strategy in place.

There are 67 residents at the Welcome Centre, of which 39 are children.

Hotel

Welsh Government through its booking agency has block-booked a Hotel in NPT, up until the 31st March 2023. The location of the Welcome Centre is not publicised, but is known locally. As with the Welcome Centre a decision is awaited on whether this arrangement will continue or be brought to an end. Welsh Government is changing some of its offer to the guests at the hotel.

Currently there are 50 residents at the hotel, 20 being children.

Hosting Arrangements

There are circa 68 people in the community with 30 hosts. In theory, visa should not be issued to travel until the Council has undertaken property and safeguarding checks, but there have been occasions when individuals/families have arrived without these checks having taken place.

Hosts receive a thankyou payment of £350 per month as set out by the UK Government, who have recently announced that Homes for Ukraine hosts will receive £500 a month for ongoing support after Ukrainian’s first year of sponsorship. Notwithstanding this a policy decision has been made to increase the thankyou payment to £650, as an incentive to attract and retain hosted arrangements, and ease the pressure on the local housing market.

Family Visa Schemes

As far as we are aware, there are 6 people who have made their own private arrangements through the family scheme. There is no expectation on the Council to provide support, but orientation support is offered.

Education

There are currently 70 Ukrainian children registered and attending NPTC’s schools (19 schools i.e. 12 Primary and 7 Secondary schools). The children could not all attend one local school, All children are placed in schools within a reasonable distance. All children from the welcome centre and hotel, could not attend one local school due to admission numbers and space. School transport is arranged from the site to each school. There are currently 4 F/T and 1 P/T Ukraine Teaching Assistants working across the authority’s schools and their Ukraine children cohort.

Wrap Around Support

Community Support Services have provided wrap-around support for families and individuals arriving through the Homes for Ukraine or Family Sponsor route.

A team is based at the Welcome Centre and at Appendix 2 is a summary of the support offered to guests at the centre and the hotel.

Move-on

The current accommodation either in hosted arrangements, or at the Welcome Centre/hotel is meant to be temporary. Families and individuals will want to settle down into more permanent housing arrangements.

Therefore, Move-on is our main challenge going forward. It has been reiterated to Welsh Government that this must be done in a fair way across all local authorities in Wales.

NPTC will be expected to find longer term but not necessarily permanent housing arrangements for its proportionate share of people.

A piece of work is underway to understand the housing needs of guests at the Welcome centre and hotel for ongoing discussions with Welsh Government.

Financial Impacts

There are different funding streams for each of the policy areas, and there is often little consistency between them. These respective funding streams are carefully monitored. The funding position for the national asylum dispersal 2023/24 is not yet clear, and clarity has been sought and Board will be updated accordingly. Unlike the refugee resettlement schemes, there is no year 2 funding for the Ukrainian support. There is a UK Government fund of £150 million to prevent homelessness and support people into housing which will be made available to local authorities in 2023/24 based on the numbers of Ukrainians they are supporting. There is no further detail on how authorities apply, and it is noteworthy that this fund is UK-wide. Additionally, the Year 1 tariff will decrease from £10,500 to £5,900 for any new arrivals after 1 January 2023.

Integrated Impact Assessment

There is no requirement to undertake an Integrated Impact Assessment as this report is for information purposes.

Valleys Communities Impacts

No implications

Workforce Impacts

Some staff have been appointed on temporary contracts, and these are kept under review in respect of need and funding. Appropriate advice is taken in this regard.

Legal Impacts

The Council has regard to any legal implications in respect of the Council’s response to meeting the needs of refugees and asylum seekers and follows Government policy and guidance in respect of resettlement arrangements. The Council’s duties under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 are subject to the immigration status of the individual.

Risk Management Impacts

The Council’s strategic risk register includes a risk in respect of the situation in Ukraine and the potential risks, together with appropriate mitigation measures.

Consultation

There is no requirement for external consultation on this item

Appendices

Appendix 1 Key Strategic Principles of Asylum Dispersal in Wales

List of Background Papers

None

Officer Contact

Chele Howard, Interim Head of Housing & Communities

c.howard@npt.gov.uk, Tel: 01639 765221

Keri Warren: Head Of Children And Young People Services

Email: k.warren@npt.gov.uk, Tel: 01639 763328

Angela Thomas, Head of Adult Services, Email: Head of Adult Services, Tel: 01639 763794

Claire Jones Strategic Manager Partnerships & Community Cohesion

Email: s.c.jones@npt.gov.uk, Tel: 01639 763193

Sarah Waite Po - Community Support Services And Early Intervention And Prevention, Email: s.waite@npt.gov.uk

Victoria Smith: Principal Officer - Fostering And Looked After Children

Email: v.smith@npt.gov.uk, Tel:01639 765888

Appendix One: Key Strategic Principles of Asylum Dispersal in Wales

Nation of Sanctuary

Integration Begins on day 1 of arrival

Services: Asylum seekers and refugees need access to services at every stage - to prevent destitution, incl. advice on rights, homelessness, integration support, and legal advice.

Trauma Informed Approaches

Partnership Working: Local Government, Home Office, Welsh Government and WSMP to work in partnership on the effective delivery of a system.

Funding for Councils: there should be sustainable funding post 2023.

Effective Coordination - no funding from SMP Coordination beyond March 2023

The Voluntary and Community Sector should be seen as key partners.

Equity and Fairness: procurement of new dispersed accommodation will be distributed across councils in a fair and equitable way-in a place-based approach.

Appendix 2: Wrap-around Support

When all Ukrainian guests arrive at the Welcome Centre or hotel, they receive a basic introduction where they spend some time with staff getting to know their accommodation and living arrangements. The staff build a profile with each individual/family to understand their basic needs.

Some examples of support are:

Transport to PT 3 days a week from welcome centre

Providing resources and information about Welsh culture and NPT.

Basic travel training – bus/train routes.

Applying for Universal credit – supporting people to then attend an appointment at the job centre.

Applying for a Dr appointment/registering for a surgery

Information provided regularly on services they can access such as CALL helpline

Support to get medication/prescription deliveries – organising the bus / information on stops

Application of BRP (biometric residency permit) – everyone has been extended from 6 months to 3 years.

Ongoing job search support. We have a jobs board and have linked with local business that have come forward to offer employment opportunities.

Provision of conversation English and English as a second language

In house recruitment – NPTC HR/Recruitment team have undertaken drop in sessions to inform people on how to search for NPT council jobs and how to apply.

Youth team – the NPTC youth team have been providing weekly sessions for the children ranging from outdoor sports to craft clubs,

Access to LLandarcy donation centre

All children under 5 have received a health visitor check and NPTC children’s team have completed a proportionate assessment for all children to ensure their needs are met. These assessments have been supported by our translator.

The Flying start team run a children’s’ group.

Strong links to health

Strong links made with Port Talbot Mosque.

All our guests visit the Ukrainian coffee morning.

CVS have been fully supportive in providing staff presence to support people with volunteer opportunities or additional support. They have also supported to deliver basic safeguarding sessions for our guests, hate crime sessions with South Wales police, Calon DVS (domestic abuse) and these will continue into the New Year based on the needs identified by the WRAP around team.