Asylum seeker and refugee support - advice for schools

Government law and guidance

The Nationality, Immigration & Asylum Act 2004, amendments in 2006 and the U.K. Borders Act 2007 brought in changes with respect to asylum law, support and assistance, accommodation centres and appeals. For up-to-date information about these issues see the U.K. Border Agency website: www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk

Dispersed pupils

If asylum seeking families are unable to support themselves then support is usually made through the National Asylum Support Service (NASS). Families, who are dispersed by NASS, are issued with vouchers for food and services and they are entitled to the same benefits as those on Income Support (free school meals, and milk, where provided; and at the discretion of the Local Authority, school uniform grants).

Under new dispersal arrangements introduced in 2001 the UK has been divided into consortiums (several counties together) to co-ordinate the programme. Hampshire is part of South Central Consortium (also includes Portsmouth and Southampton). You can contact a representative by telephoning 02380 833022.

Hampshire EMTAS advice

Admission

Applications for admission on behalf of asylum seekers or parents/carers who have limited leave to enter or remain in the UK must by law be treated in the same way as any other application. The fact that a potential pupil may have little or no English is not a valid reason for refusing admission.

As far as admission to school is concerned, refugee and asylum seeker children have the same rights as other children/young people coming to this country. The School Admissions Code, (2009) DCSF states that, “Parents who have moved to England with their children, may express a preference for their children to attend a maintained school... under the normal admission arrangements described in this Code regardless of their immigration status”. This specifically includes the children of asylum seekers and parents who have limited leave to enter or remain in the UK.

Unaccompanied asylum seekers, who are immediately placed in the care of the local authority, are given the priority for school admissions extended to all looked-after children. The Code states that “Children in care are among the most vulnerable children in society and it is of paramount importance that a school place is found that is in the best interests of the child as quickly as possible.”

Children in care have the highest priority for admission in both the main admissions round and for in-year admissions. For in-year admissions, where a school is full, the local authority can direct an admission if it is considered to be in the best interests of the child. In-Year Fair Access Protocols exist to ensure that access to education is secured quickly for children/young people who have no school place. The Code says “Schools cannot cite oversubscription as a reason for not admitting a pupil under a Fair Access Protocol. Hard to place pupils (this would include unaccompanied children seeking asylum and those arriving in this country with their parents) should be given priority for admission over others on a waiting list or awaiting an appeal. Schools must respond quickly to requests for admission so that the admission of the pupil is not delayed and should not insist on an appeal being heard before admitting a child under a Protocol.”

It should be noted that post-16 pupils should be treated as home students by colleges and are exempt from paying fees.

Support

Once you have admitted, or are about to admit the pupil, please contact Hampshire EMTAS in the same way as for new arrivals. Please state that your pupil is an asylum seeker as we can then offer them additional support. You may use the new arrival form or telephone the New Arrivals Manager on 01256 330195. A member of staff will then contact you to arrange a suitable date/time for an initial meeting and subsequent regular support for the child/young person will be arranged. Also, see below - 'How Hampshire EMTAS can support schools with asylum seekers'.

If necessary try to obtain an interpreter at the initial meeting with parents and the child/young person to find out about previous schooling. Hampshire EMTAS may be able to help with this. Sometimes an older sibling or family friend is able to help out. Provide information about the school and education system in the home language, wherever possible.

Induction

Schools will need to be flexible in their approach and provide a planned induction programme which may involve other agencies, for example, Connexions, Education Welfare Officers and Social Care.
Identify a member of staff who will be responsible for all communications with the parents/carer and to whom the child/young person may go to for help and support.
Provide or loan a PE kit. For primary-aged pupils the Education Welfare Officer may be able to help with a grant. Secondary schools should contact the Admissions Officer. Schools themselves may be able to offer good quality second-hand uniform.
Check if a bus pass is needed.
If possible, provide a 'welcome pack' for the pupil - a school bag including pens, pencils, rubbers, paper etc and a dual-language dictionary. Hampshire EMTAS may be able to loan a dictionary; or refer to resources section for list of suppliers of dual-language books and dictionaries. For unaccompanied children/young people include a copy of Welcome to Hampshire in either English or their home language if appropriate/available (downloadable from ‘unaccompanied children’ section.)
Establish a 'buddy' system - not the same person all the time - to ensure that the child/young person is not left on his or her own.
Have access to a bilingual dictionary in the class-room.
Children may need to be referred to the school nurse for a check-up. They may not have had access to primary health care for several years and immunisation may not have been completed.

Threat of deportation

If pupils are under threat of deportation visit the Schools Against Deportations website to see how schools have successfully campaigned in the past.

Be prepared for the need to write letters of support for the asylum seeking family. Letters may need to be written to their solicitor, local MP or MEP.

Teaching and pastoral care

Inform all staff about the pupils being admitted and give them as much information about their background as possible.
The majority of the pupils will be of average to above average ability. Set high expectations and regularly review targets. Pupils should not be placed in bottom sets.
Some pupils will speak more than one language including English whilst others may speak no English.
Be aware that children may show distress and trauma which may be in the form of behaviour problems or being very withdrawn. Allow time to settle in - pupils need to feel safe and secure in their new environment.
Be aware that some pupils may not have had the opportunity to attend school before or may have had very disrupted schooling and may need more time to settle in. No previous schooling does not necessarily mean that they have no literacy skills – many are taught to read and write at home.
Be aware of bullying by others, particularly at secondary age.
Be aware that unaccompanied pupils may be living in foster homes or in Children's homes and that they may not be allowed to stay in at the weekends.
Unaccompanied children may need help in tracing relatives. The British Red Cross Society provides an international tracing service for families separated by conflict. Their telephone number is 020 7235 5454.

Hampshire Guidance document

Asylum seekers and refugee children/young people in education: good practice guidelines 2mb has been published (September 2009)by Hampshire Inspection and Advisory Service (HIAS). The guidelines have been produced by Educare, an inter-agency group originally focused on meeting the needs of ayslum seekers but whose remit now is to support all ethnic minority children and young people in North Hampshire.

The guidance provides much up-to-date and useful information for schools receiving asylum seekers and refugee children. Guidance on immigration, induction, placement in classes, welfare and resources are included.

If you would like a paper copy (£4 HCC schools/£8 other) please call us in the first instance to arrange.

How Hampshire EMTAS can support Hampshire schools

Hampshire EMTAS can:

provide detailed guidance on asylum seeker/refugee issues including immigration, admission to schools/colleges, teaching and learning, pastoral advice, resources, useful contacts.
often provide a bilingual assistant to translate or interpret.
give you practical teaching support and ideas, including an early profiling assessment of the pupil's previous education and current achievement levels to enable early and correct placement.
provide advice on the best course of action regarding GCSE choices/other courses, when admitting pupils into Year 10 or Year 11.
provide some in-class support for the child/young person.
provide training for school staff and general new arrival support.

Please see Schools: new arrivals for information on making a referral to our service.

Hampshire County Council support

The following people/services are able to give support:

The Education Welfare Service - for discretionary school uniform grants.
Lead Officer for 'looked after children', based at Fleet Local Office - for issues regarding children in care.
Ian Massey, Hampshire Intercultural Inspector, Fleet Local Education Office, for intercultural and anti-racist information.

Hampshire Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service (EMTAS)