Framework for Action on Employment and Skills for. Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Yorkshire and the Humber

Transcription

1 Framewrk fr Actin n Emplyment and Skills fr Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Yrkshire and the Humber Develped by: Skills Strategy Research, 2 West Huse, Elvingtn, YORK YO41 4AZ E: Neil@skillsstrategy.plus.cm T:

2 CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION STRATEGIC PURPOSE OUTCOMES THE FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION MEASURES f SUCCESS DEVELOPING THE PARTNERSHIPS BIBLIOGRAPHY CONSULTEES RISK ASSESSMENT...32 Skills Strategy Research 2

3 1. INTRODUCTION Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Yrkshire and the Humber are faced with many bstacles t full integratin. It is arguably thse that prevent them frm fully engaging in emplyment and learning pprtunities that are the mst detrimental. Tackling thse bstacles is nw widely recgnised as the key t minimising further prblems and t unlcking refugees and asylum seekers full ptential. Lw standards f refugees English language prficiency n the ne hand, and a systemic failure t recgnise the value f refugees existing qualificatins by the emplyment and skills systems mean that many refugees in the regin are unemplyed r under-emplyed. Lack f UK wrk experience is a fundamental prblem. Cultural barriers (especially fr wmen), direct and indirect labur market discriminatin, a lack f understanding f the labur market 1 and explitatin in the wrkplace 2 exacerbate the prblem. Definitins A detailed explanatin f the definitins f refugee and asylum seeker t be used in this wrk can be fund verleaf. Whilst refugees and asylum seekers are affected by many similar issues, asylum seekers face the additinal, currently insurmuntable, barrier; that they are nt allwed t wrk under mst circumstances. As such, sme f their needs are mre acute. Anther key challenge is the difficulty f transitin frm asylum seeker t refugee status. Supprting asylum seekers thrugh this prcess is dependent n an pen dialgue and jint apprach t issue reslutin between a variety f bdies, including Jbcentre Plus, the Refugee Integratin and Emplyment Service, several third sectr rganisatins and dedicated individuals. 1 Including unfamiliarity with the system, selectin and recruitment difficulties 2 e.g. cnfiscatin f passprts, wage deductins and belw-minimum wages, infrmal wrking Skills Strategy Research 3

4 REFUGEE ASYLUM SEEKER A persn wh, wing t a wellfunded fear f being persecuted fr reasns f race, religin, natinality, membership f a particular scial grup, r plitical pinin, is utside the cuntry f his natinality, and is unable t r, wing t such fear, is unwilling t avail himself f the prtectin f that cuntry (Refugee Cnventin, 1951) Smene wh has ldged an applicatin fr prtectin n the basis f the Refugee Cnventin r Article 3 f the Eurpean Curt f Human Rights (ECHR) (Refugee Cuncil) Refugee status a persn wh has been given leave t remain in the UK as a refugee due t meeting the criteria in the UN Cnventin Inductin asylum seeker an asylum seeker wh is in Initial Accmmdatin (Inductin Centre), befre being dispersed ( Sectin 98 Supprt ) Including: Humanitarian prtectin - a persn wh receives leave t remain in the UK as a refugee, granted if a persn des nt meet the strict criteria f the UN Cnventin but nevertheless faces a real risk f serius harm Discretinary leave - a persn wh receives leave t remain in the UK as a refugee e.g. fr family r medical reasns, granted althugh the persn des nt meet the strict criteria f the UN Cnventin Including: Dispersed asylum seeker - an asylum seeker receiving husing in dispersal accmmdatin and subsistence (financial) supprt ( Sectin 95 Supprt ) Subs nly asylum seeker - an asylum seeker wh accesses Subsistence Only Supprt, i.e. subsistence (financial) supprt withut husing Exceptinal leave t remain - a persn receiving leave t remain as a refugee (prir t 2003), althugh the persn des nt meet the strict criteria f the UN Cnventin Indefinite leave t remain - a persn wh receives leave t remain in the UK as a refugee, granted fr a number f reasns including prgrammes t clear backlgs in the asylum system Unsupprted asylum seeker - an asylum seeker wh des nt access any husing r subsistence (financial) supprt Detained asylum seeker - a persn wh is detained during the asylum prcess. This usually ccurs as part f the fast-track prcess Unless therwise stated, all definitins are derived frm Wh are migrants?, a dcument prduced by Dave Brwn n behalf f the Yrkshire and the Humber Reginal Migratin Partnership, 2008 Skills Strategy Research 4

5 Strategic Alignment Integratin Matters (the Natinal Strategy fr Refugee Integratin) 3 requires that refugees are allwed t achieve their full ptential and t cntribute t their regin s ecnmy, their lcal cmmunities and t the rganisatins within which they wrk. Achieving these gals in the regin relies n ensuring: the prvisin f accessible and suitable infrmatin; sustainable service prvisin (including pprtunities fr language training, wrk experience, retraining and re-accreditatin); access t accurate knwledge; effective cmmunicatin; and effective engagement with, and partnership wrking between, a range f lcal stakehlders, including service prviders, brkers and emplyers. This Framewrk will cntribute directly t the delivery f the natinal strategy, as shwn: INTEGRATION MATTERS A Natinal Strategy fr Refugee Integratin CENTRAL GOVERNMENT GROWING TOGETHER - THE INTEGRATED REGIONAL FRAMEWORK (IRF) Includes: Respnd t the specific needs f refugees and asylum seekers resident thrughut the regin YORKSHIRE FORWARD Y & H REFUGEE AND ASYLUM SEEKER INTEGRATION STRATEGY Revised strategy fr 2009 t be launched in March 2009 YORKSHIRE AND HUMBER STRATEGIC MIGRATION GROUP FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION Emplyment and Skills fr Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Yrkshire & the Humber REGIONAL SKILLS PARTNERSHIP Aspiratin: A skilled and emplyed regin 3 Integratin Matters, Hme Office (2005) (Nte that, at the time f writing the strategy is under review) Skills Strategy Research 5

6 The Emplyment and Skills Cntext Accessing apprpriate English language prvisin, e.g. English fr Speakers f Other Languages (ESOL); r the Internatinal English Language Testing System (IELTS); is a key issue fr refugees (and asylum seekers, wh are entitled t ESOL prvisin if their applicatin fr refugee status has nt been cmpletely prcessed after six mnths). It is crucial that refugees are able t access emplyment-riented prvisin quickly and easily. Funding arrangements, bth lng and shrt term, must supprt the full range f prvisin that is required by learners 4. Whilst there will dubtless be numerus changes in the Educatin and Skills system ver the next few years, which will have an impact n utcmes fr refugees and asylum seekers, the Learning and Skills Cuncil s respnsibility fr funding ESOL prvisin makes it essential that this functin is preserved within the remit f the successr bdies t the LSC. Building n the success f the frmer Strategic Upgrade f the Refugee Integratin Services prgramme (SUNRISE), the new Hme Office funded Refugee Integratin and Emplyment Service (RIES) nw frms the central plank f refugee integratin. It has a strategic and develpmental rle. Available t refugees ver the age f 18 5, RIES prvides new refugees with: referral t a persnal case manager; an individual integratin plan; immediate advice and supprt t address critical needs; an emplyment advice service; and a mentring service. Leeds City Cuncil have been cntracted t deliver RIES in Yrkshire and the Humber. One area that has perhaps been previusly verlked is the imprtance f access t Higher Educatin fr Refugees. Anecdtal evidence suggests that expsure t Higher Educatin in the UK (e.g. HE mentring) has helped refugees with HE level qualificatins btain jbs at levels mre cmmensurate with their prir educatin and wrk experience. Hwever, barriers such as admissins plicies/ dcumentatin that are incmpatible with refugee s previus experience and a lack f supprt, prevent refugees engaging with HE. As such, bth Higher and Further Educatin shuld be encuraged t becme active partners in develping the skills f refugees. The Framewrk Refugees and Asylum Seekers exist at the cre f this Framewrk. A range f dedicated service deliverers, partnerships, netwrks and strategic grups are already wrking hard t address the emplyment and skills needs f this ppulatin in the regin, and have been invlved in a cnsultatin prcess leading t this final iteratin f the Framewrk. The Framewrk s implicatins and requirements fr engagement reach far wider, hwever. Ownership f the framewrk must nt be limited t Refugees, Asylum Seekers and the strategic grups/service delivers wh wrk with them, but must include businesses/ rganisatins, lcal emplyers and the wider cmmunity as a whle 6. This dcument presents the Framewrk itself. The Framewrk is slely cncerned with emplyment pprtunities and supprting skills develpment. It prmtes the use f effective and efficient prcesses t deliver a smth pathway frm pint f arrival t full integratin. It must demnstrate hw best t capitalise n this unique pprtunity t the advantage f asylum seekers and refugees, and t the benefit f the regin as a whle. 4 See als NIACE s 2006 inquiry int ESOL Mre than a language 5 and thse wh have been granted humanitarian prtectin fllwing a claim handled by a asylum team in ne f the regins 6 A list f cntributrs t the Framewrk, representative f the majrity f stakehlder grups, is given in Sectin 9. Skills Strategy Research 6

7 2. STRATEGIC PURPOSE The key challenge that the Framewrk fr Actin must meet is t guarantee the prvisin f pprtunities fr all asylum seekers and refugees t achieve their full ptential. Accrdingly, the strategic purpse f the Framewrk fr Actin is t: ensure equality f pprtunity in emplyment and skills develpment; enable individuals t realise their full skills ptential; ensure that the skills and talents f refugees bring recgnised benefits t the rganisatins within which they wrk, t the cmmunities in which they live, and t the regin s ecnmy; secure emplyers cmmitment t emplying refugees and supprting asylum seekers; crdinate and influence the allcatin f Yrkshire and the Humber s public, private and third sectr resurces; prvide ptimum levels f supprt fr asylum seekers and refugees. The Framewrk is intended t be relevant at all stages f asylum seekers and refugees develpment and integratin within the regin frm the time f arrival t the time f full and effective integratin. Skills Strategy Research 7

8 3. OUTCOMES The utcmes f the implementatin f the Framewrk will f curse be firmly fcused n refugees and asylum seekers. Hwever, utcmes will als accrue t the netwrk f rganisatins invlved in delivering the Framewrk. The relatinships are illustrated in the Netwrk Diagram. Netwrk Diagram Strategic partners, plicy makers & funders Implementing natinal plicy and develping reginal plicy THE NETWORK Emplyers in the regin Grwing the ecnmy and being mre prductive Refugees Asylum Seekers Service deliverers and training prviders Meeting the needs f refugees and asylum seekers THE NETWORK Integratin services (skills and emplyment) Cmmissining effective and gd value fr mney services Outcmes by categry f rganisatin The headlines in the tables that fllw recrd the intended beneficiaries and the items frm the Framewrk s strategic purpse that are relevant t them. The main table then lists the intended utcmes; summarises the actins required t achieve the utcmes; and identifies the partners that are (r in sme cases, may be) respnsible fr carrying ut the actins. A glssary, primarily f acrnyms, is given verleaf. Skills Strategy Research 8

9 Glssary APEL BITC CAB ECHR Emplyability Skills Prgramme FE HE HEI JCP LSC&SO NARIC NRP Nextstep service One stp RETAS RIES RNAP RSP VAS YHRMP Accreditatin f Prir (Experiential) Learning (prvides students with the pprtunity t have prir learning accredited as part f their current curse) Business in the Cmmunity Citizen s Advice Bureau Eurpean Curt f Human Rights The LSC/JCP Emplyability Skills Prgramme ffers Jbcentre Plus custmers a prgramme that recgnises their different backgrunds, needs and gals and helps them t enhance their emplyability skills, literacy, numeracy, language skills etc. Further Educatin Higher Educatin Higher Educatin Institutin Jbcentre Plus The Learning and Skills Cuncil (and successr rganisatin/s) Natinal Academic Recgnitin Infrmatin Centre Natinal Reference Pint A natinal service funded by the LSC, ffering infrmatin and advice abut learning and wrk fr adults aged 20+ Refugee Cuncil service ffering free advice and infrmatin. This service is delivered in Yrkshire and the Humber thrugh the Leeds Refugee Cuncil ffice Refugee Educatin and Training Advisry Service, Leeds The Refugee Integratin and Emplyment Service The Refugee New Arrivals Prgramme The Reginal Skills Partnership Vluntary Actin Sheffield The Yrkshire and Humber Reginal Migratin Partnership Nte that utcmes are cnsidered t be anything that ccurs as a direct cnsequence f the applicatin f the Framewrk. Skills Strategy Research 9

10 4. THE FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION Refugees Ensure equality f pprtunity in emplyment and skills develpment Enable individuals t realise their full skills ptential Outcmes Actins t achieve the utcmes Respnsible partners R1 Easier access t better infrmatin, advice and guidance i. Help refugees t get UK wrk experience e.g. an increase in jb placement and Wrk Trial 7 pprtunities; ii. Deliver specific and respnsive supprt t help refugees understand hw t apply fr, and secure a jb suited t their prir experience JCP, RIES delivery partners and RNAP JCP, RIES delivery partners iii. Put in place apprpriate enterprise supprt Yrkshire Frward, Business Link Yrkshire iv. Make sufficient infrmatin, diagnstic services and guidance available JCP, RIES partners, The Refugee Cuncil s One Stp Service (Y&H Office in Leeds), The Nextstep service, NARIC/ NRP 8 7 Wrk Trial (JCP) is a 14-day vluntary trial in an actual jb vacancy with an emplyer 8 Organisatins that advise n parity f qualificatins Skills Strategy Research 10

11 R2 Mre refugees entering sustainable emplyment v. Fully achieve RIES targets fr getting new refugees int emplyment RIES delivery partners vi. Mre pprtunities fr wrk experience fr refugees 9 Emplyers R3 Mre refugees emplyed t their full ptential, cmmensurate with their skills and abilities vii. Wrk with emplyers and service deliverers (e.g. Jbcentre Plus Advisers) t identify and recruit at apprpriate skills levels t tackle underemplyment JCP, RIES delivery partners, Train t Gain/ brkers (and emplyer supprt) viii. Ensure that refugees applying t University are supprted int higher educatin and achieve qualificatins that will ultimately help them secure higher-level skilled emplyment in the regin HEIs R4 Adequate availability f needsled access t learning / training and prgressin pprtunities at all levels ix. Prvide flexible access t learning and apprpriate supprt (frm level 1 t FE/ HE) and APEL initiatives All learning prviders (HE and FE 10, APEL prviders, Learning prviders, the Y&H Open Cllege Netwrk, LSC&SO and JCP - Emplyability Skills Prgramme) x. Cnsider creating an HE Scping (task and finish) grup t share gd practice and jintly address barriers f access t HE HEIs / Yrkshire Universities 9 Our research suggests that UK wrk experience is very imprtant fr refugees, especially thse with prfessinal backgrunds 10 Further and higher educatin may be able t help refugees btain jbs at levels cmmensurate with their at hme educatin and wrk experience Skills Strategy Research 11

12 R5 Suitable levels f English language skills amng refugees t enable them t enter emplyment xi. Obtain r develp an accurate psitin statement n ESOL and IELTS prvisin in the regin; identify any service delivery gaps; and then maintain r imprve unrestricted access t ESOL/ IELTS fr refugees Y&H partnership, RSP, LSC&SO fr funding, The Nextstep service xii. Fcus n all requisite levels f need (e.g. basic; technical) Prviders, LSC&SO fr funding, LSC&SO (Train t Gain), brkers, The Nextstep service xiii. Make emplyers mre aware f language training prvisin and eligibilities s they can ffer them t refugees within their wrkfrce LSC, JCP, third sectr partners, emplyers rganisatins R6 Increased number f businesses start-ups amng refugees xiv. Ensure full and effective integratin f services t refugees in Business Link prvisin Business Link Skills Strategy Research 12

13 Asylum seekers Prvide ptimum levels f supprt fr asylum seekers Outcmes Apprach t achieve the utcmes Respnsible partners A1 Increased awareness f, and access t, pprtunities fr vlunteering in the Yrkshire and the Humber regin i. Prmte vlunteering fr asylum seekers as a step twards emplyment (frm the time f landing) Lcal Vluntary Actin r CVS grups, BITC A2 An increased prprtin f asylum seekers benefiting frm vlunteering pprtunities ii. Review balance f supply/demand fr hst rganisatins; act n the findings Lcal Vluntary Actin r CVS grups A3 English language learning and ther further educatin iii. Vlunteer teaching f English language Third sectr, Lcal Vluntary Actin r CVS grups iv. Sufficient ESOL and ther FE prvisin fr LSC&SO fr funding after 6 asylum seekers 11 mnths, learning prviders A4 An accurate recrd f achievement fr the individual that demnstrates skills acquired 12 r demnstrated during the perid f vlunteering (that will ultimately supprt their entry t the labur market if granted refugee status) v. Develp a recrd fr asylum seekers t use t dcument their attributes and the skills develped thrugh vlunteering FE, cmmunity prviders, The Nextstep service 11 Asylum Seekers are entitled t ESOL prvisin, where their applicatin fr refugee status has nt been cmpletely prcessed after 6 mnths 12 One example f legally sanctined skills acquisitin by asylum seekers might be English language skills delivered by the Third Sectr Skills Strategy Research 13

14 A5 An increased prprtin f asylum seekers benefiting frm pprtunities fr scial integratin vi. Sufficient prvisin f scial integratin activities fr asylum seekers, e.g. thrugh libraries, mther and tddler grups and cnversatin clubs Third sectr and public sectr partners, Lcal Vluntary Actin r CVS grups vii. Raise awareness f scial integratin pprtunities Refugee Cuncil One Stp Service, Third sectr rganisatins, Lcal Vluntary Actin r CVS grups A6 Easier access t better infrmatin, advice and guidance viii. Make sufficient infrmatin, diagnstic services and guidance available Refugee Cuncil, The One Stp Service (Refugee Cuncil, Leeds) Skills Strategy Research 14

15 Emplyers Ensure that the skills and talents f refugees bring recgnised benefits t the rganisatins within which they wrk Secure emplyers cmmitment t emplying refugees and supprting asylum seekers Outcmes Apprach t achieve the utcmes Respnsible partners B1: Recruitment f skilled and talented individuals that will bring ecnmic benefits t their rganisatin in terms f a psitive wrk ethic and levels f prductivity i. Raise awareness f advisrs ii. Prmte emplyment f refugees in ccupatins at apprpriate levels JCP, RETAS, Y&H partnership, RIES, RAMWESS, LSC&SO (Train t Gain), brkers B2: Increased cnfidence, and knwledge f hw t emply refugees and integrate them successfully int their wrkfrce (including wrk trials, wrk experience and placement pprtunities) iii. Identify what infrmatin, advice and guidance supprt wuld be mst valued by emplyers wh we believe t be cnfused, cncerned r largely un-educated in respect f emplying refugees thrugh research / canvassing by RAMWESS partners and key service deliverers. JCP, YHRMP, SSCs and Business Link, The Nextstep service, BITC, RAMWESS, RIES iv. Bring emplyers face t face with ptential refugee emplyees ( meet yur ptential wrkfrce style events aimed at increasing the number f Wrk Trials, placements leading t full emplyment fr the client grup). JCP, RETAS, RAMWESS, RIES, BITC, SSCs, LSC&SO and JCP (Emplyability Skills Prgramme) Skills Strategy Research 15

16 v. Prvide resurces (already available frm service deliverers) that will help them understand hw best t recruit refugees 13 RIES delivery partners, LSC (Train t Gain), the Nextstep service vi. Implement UKBA s preventing illegal wrking regime/ guidance, which clarifies issues arund required dcumentatin, etc. Emplyers, UKBA, RAMWESS, RIES, BITC B3: Emplyers view recruitment f refugees as an pprtunity as well as a scial respnsibility vii. Encurage emplyers t share infrmatin / their experience f successfully emplying refugees and the impact they have had n their rganisatin RIES delivery partners, JCP, WYEC, SYEC (and ther emplyer calitins) BITC viii. Ensure that emplyers have access t emplyer champins and infrmatin abut further training and develpment pprtunities relevant t refugees they emply (e.g. clarity abut ESOL ffer, prvisin and csts fr rganisatins) JCP, all third sectr agencies, RIES delivery partners, Learndirect, The Nextstep service, Train t Gain brkers, RAMWESS ix. Develp a c-rdinated emplyer engagement campaign. A Y&H partnership, JCP, LSC&SO, RIES delivery partners, LSC&SO (Train t Gain), RAMWESS 13 Fr example: RETAS prvides infrmatin fr emplyers n their Refugees at Wrk website sectin and are currently creating a DVD and pack t wrk alngside emplyers in the hpe that they will give refugees the pprtunity t be placed, mentred and r emplyed. Skills Strategy Research 16

17 Service deliverers Prvide ptimum levels f supprt fr asylum seekers and refugees Outcmes Apprach t achieve the utcmes Respnsible partners SD1: Cntracts placed with the mst apprpriate prviders i. Prviders master the cmpetitive tendering prcess/ prvider selectin infrmed by strng evidence f need and f prvider capability Prviders, JCP, LSC&SO SD2: Better infrmatin available and imprved signpsting and referral services between agencies ii. Map prvisin f services, linkage between services, and gaps in prvisin YHRMP iii. Determine the best way t maintain current relevant infrmatin RSP r IAG prime cntractr Business Link, LSC&SO (Train t Gain) SD3: Mre pprtunities t engage with rganisatins / emplyers in the regin knwn t have an interest in, r experience f, recruiting refugees r ffering wrk placement pprtunities iv. Link in t the wider emplyer engagement campaign prpsed (see B3 vii) Prviders, RAMWESS, BITC, Yrkshire Frward SD4: Benefit frm better partnership wrking and crdinatin v. Identify, and disseminate infrmatin n, sustainable funding and ther resurces Partnership crdinating DWP; JCP; LSC, Lcal Vluntary Actin r CVS grups, Learndirect (databases), The Nextstep service Skills Strategy Research 17

18 vi. Partners ensure that their frnt-line persnnel are aware f all services available t the client grup All partners The Nextstep service, Learndirect advice line, LSC&SO (Train t Gain) vii. Explre the need t establish a Higher Educatin wrking grup that can identify what supprt is mst apprpriate fr refugees including: emplyability skills; study skills; mentring; and supprt t refugees with their University applicatin prcess HEIs, Yrkshire Universities Skills Strategy Research 18

19 Strategic partners Crdinate and influence the allcatin f Yrkshire and the Humber s private, public and third sectr resurces* Ensure that the skills and talents f refugees bring recgnised benefits t the cmmunities in which they live, and t the regin s ecnmy Outcmes Apprach t achieve the utcmes Respnsible partners P1: Increased cnfidence n hw, and where, t target resurces mst effectively t benefit refugees and asylum seekers in the Yrkshire and the Humber regin i. Identify data and intelligence gaps required t increase ability t target / refine investment pririties (linked t actin P2) ii. Establish a baseline psitin in terms f current resurces in place t supprt refugees and asylum seekers in the regin YHRMP YHRMP, RSP P2: A rbust evidence base (data and intelligence) that will assist with influencing natinal and reginal plicy in respect f the client grups iii. Cnduct a feasibility study int the ptential fr data, intelligence and skills audit research and reprting YHRMP, RSP Yrkshire Futures and/ r LSC&SO P3: Strng leadership fr this agenda in the regin, iv. Invite the Directr f the Reginal Skills Partnership t accept the rle f leader and reginal champin fr the refugee and asylum seeker skills and emplyment agenda in Yrkshire and the Humber YHRMP, RSP Skills Strategy Research 19

20 v. Include this agenda in reginal and lcal strategies and plans YHRMP P4: Agreed accuntability and strng gvernance fr the delivery f this Framewrk fr Actin in Yrkshire and the Humber regin vi. Identify partners, leaders and accuntable bdies and individuals in respect f this Framewrk YHRMP vii. Agree mnitring and evaluatin prcedures fr measuring the impact and strategic added value f the implementatin f this Framewrk fr Actin RSP Skills Strategy Research 20

21 5. MEASURES f SUCCESS The measures f success that are cnsidered t be apprpriate fr this Framewrk are as fllws. 1. The successful appintment f a skills and emplyment champin at Y&H Strategic Migratin Grup (SMG) level. 2. The successful develpment f a task and finish grup that will achieve the fllwing between Octber 2008 and April 2009: Disseminatin f this Framewrk t all relevant partners in the netwrk ; Delivery f a reginal cnference event t embed an understanding f the Framewrk amngst partners in the netwrk; Reference t this Framewrk fr Actin in all relevant reginal and lcal strategies and plans including, fr example, the Reginal Integratin Strategy; the SMG Business Plan and lcal authrity plans; The develpment f capacity (skills and knwledge) within the netwrk enabling strategic partners and service deliverers t better meet the skills and emplyment needs f refugees and asylum seekers in future (i.e. CPD, seminar and training pprtunities t learn mre abut the client grup, gd practice and the sharing f learning pprtunities), including Nextstep, Learndirect, strategic and peratinal managers, and frnt line staff; A clear audit f resurces (current and future) available t supprt the implementatin f this Framewrk fr Actin (a key theme fr the prpsed cnference event abve). 3. Partner satisfactin with the fllwing partnership activities: Outcmes attributable t the partnership Cllabratin and cllabrative activities (delivery) Leadership Administratin Gvernance Skills Strategy Research 21

22 4. Further, it is suggested that an apprpriately representative grup shuld investigate the feasibility f a mnitring and evaluatin system fr ensuring the lng-term successful implementatin f this Framewrk. This shuld give due cnsideratin as t hw best t cllect skills and emplyment data abut the client grup between 2008 and As part f this wrk the Grup shuld cnsider the pprtunities and difficulties assciated with measuring: Prprtin f refugees in sustainable emplyment; Prprtin f refugees reprting satisfactin with the nature and level f wrk they are engaged in; Prprtin f refugees aware f learning pprtunities that will address barriers; Prprtin f refugees participating in learning t vercme barriers; English language skills amngst refugees Prprtin f asylum seekers aware f vlunteering pprtunities; Prprtin f asylum seekers participating in vlunteering; Prprtin f frmer asylum seekers using their recrd f achievement in jb hunting; Number f rganisatins prviding wrk placements; Number f rganisatins emplying refugees; Availability f sufficient exemplar rganisatins. Recmmendatins cncerning the nature and rles f grups are given in the next sectin. Skills Strategy Research 22

23 6. DEVELOPING THE PARTNERSHIPS One f the central cnsideratins in develping the Framewrk has been t identify the best hme fr it, and t clarify hw the varius strands f skills and emplyment activity targeted at refugees and asylum seekers can be c-rdinated successfully acrss the regin. This has invlved detailed discussins arund: Wh shuld wn the Framewrk and whether this shuld be a single rganisatin, a grup f rganisatins and / r a cmmittee r existing sub-grup such as RAMWESS; Hw the Framewrk fr Actin can achieve a higher prfile and be embedded in all relevant reginal and lcal strategic plans; Wh shuld be accuntable fr the successful implementatin f the Framewrk fr Actin s that its impact and utcmes in the regin can be mnitred and measured; Which rganisatins and individuals need t be invlved in any partnership required t ensure the practical delivery f the Framewrk fr Actin frm 2008 nwards; The lifespan f the Framewrk fr Actin. A brad cnsensus was reached n the 28 th f July at ne f the wrking grup events facilitated by Skills Strategy Research as part f this study. The cnsensus is summarised in the recmmendatins that fllw. Recmmendatin 1: Strategic Migratin Grup Representatin The Framewrk fr Actin needs a strng prfile via rbust representatin (f the skills and emplyment agenda fr refugees and asylum seekers) n the membership f the Yrkshire and Humber Strategic Migratin Grup (SMG) 14. This Grup is the main plicy bdy fr the Yrkshire and Humber Reginal Migratin Partnership. It meets 4 times a year, and fcuses n decisinmaking and strategic advice (rather than infrmatin prvisin). The SMG prvides strategic leadership and advice fr the regin n all matters t d with migrants (including refugees and asylum seekers) and practively influences plicy and service delivery natinally, reginally and lcally t ensure psitive impact upn the balanced needs f bth immigrants and the regin. Current members include lcal authrity representatin, Gvernment Office fr Yrkshire and the Humber, Refugee Cuncil, Nrthern Refugee Centre, Health Sectr, Yrkshire Frward, the Vluntary Sectr (Refugee Cuncil and Nrthern Refugee Centre), the Reginal Assembly, UK Brder Agency (Reginal Directr), Plice, Jbcentre Plus and the Yrkshire & Humber Reginal Migratin Partnership: Manager [Secretariat]. It is ur independent view that the skills and emplyment agenda fr refugees and asylum seekers requires a champin at SMG level and that this rle shuld be filled by the Directr f the Reginal Skills Partnership. 14 Fr further SMG dcumentatin please visit Skills Strategy Research 23

24 SMG Organisatinal Structure Yrkshire & Humber Strategic Migratin: Organisatinal Structure Natinal links Yrkshire & Humber Strategic Migratin Grup (SMG) Lcal/reginal Sub-grups Asylum Impacts Grup (AIG) Children and Yung Peple (CYP) Refugee Integratin Grup (RIG) Emplyment and Skills (RAMWESS) Migratin Impacts Grup (MIG) Health Interest Grup (YHASHIG) Sub-grups SMG and subgrups managed by Yrkshire & Humber Reginal Migratin Partnership (YHRMP) SMG meeting dates are set in advance, and it is suggested that an update n the Framewrk fr Actin activity is prvided at the 18th September and / r 11th December meeting including ur recmmendatin fr imprved prfile and representatin f the skills and emplyment agenda by a nminated champin at SMG level. Prpsed success measures: Agreement by the SMG t have the skills and emplyment champin included in its membership; Explicit inclusin f the Framewrk fr Actin in the SMG s new Business Plan likely t be prepared in March 2009 fr the fllwing 12 mnth activity perid; Inclusin f the Framewrk fr Actin in all apprpriate reginal and lcal strategies (as identified by RAMWESS - see next recmmendatin) Skills Strategy Research 24

25 Recmmendatin 2: RAMWESS Task and Finish Grup The Refugees and Migrant Wrkers Emplyment and Skills Sub Grup (RAMWESS) is ne f six sub-grups (themed grups) that reprts int the SMG. It has existed fr 2-3 years, and has attracted cntributins frm many rganisatins and individuals. The Chair-hlder f RAMWESS has changed ver time having been a representative f Jbcentre Plus and mre recently the Reginal Skills Partnership Directr. RAMWESS fcuses n learning, skills, emplyability and emplyment fr migrant wrkers, refugees and asylum seekers. It currently includes eight bjectives within its Terms f Reference: 1. T develp a crdinated apprach t reginal activity aimed at supprting new refugees and migrant wrkers int wrk 2. T develp the skills f new refugees with the aim f imprving their emplyability 3. T develp a clear baseline f current level f activity and set imprvement targets 4. T develp a clear business case fr emplyers in rder t address barriers t engagement 5. T influence funding pprtunities 6. T reprt prgress t Yrkshire & Humberside Strategic Migratin Grup (SMG) fr Asylum Seekers and Refugees as required 7. T ensure that the particular needs f new refugees and migrant wrkers are included in the develpment f reginal ecnmic and emplyment strategies 8. T supprt the SMG in prmting a psitive visin f the cultural and ecnmic benefits t the regin f imprving the skills f and emplying refugees and migrant wrkers Current members include: Jbcentre Plus (Y&H), Yrkshire & the Humber Reginal Migratin Partnership, Learning & Skills Cuncil (Y&H), Yrkshire Frward, Sectr Skills Develpment Agency, Refugee Cuncil, Trade Unins Cngress, Gvernment Office fr Yrkshire and the Humber, RIES (building n the success f SUNRISE), Yrkshire & Humberside, Nrthern Refugee Centre, QED, Suth Yrkshire Emplyer Calitin, West Yrkshire Emplyer Calitin, RETAS Leeds, Fair Play, Back t Wrk Cmpany and Humberside Learning Cnsrtium. Having cnsulted partners n the best way frward fr RAMWESS we cnclude that this frum is highly valuable, but that there are pprtunities fr achieving specific success in 2008 and 2009 strategically in the regin, and future success thrugh the Framewrk fr Actin s implementatin frm 2009 nwards. As such, we recmmend that RAMWESS adpts the rle f a task and finish grup between Octber 2008 and March 2009 with the specific purpse f ensuring that the Framewrk fr Actin achieves a higher prfile, and is embedded in all relevant reginal and lcal strategies and plans, including the SMG Business Plan March 2009-March Skills Strategy Research 25

26 This may mean a slight refcus als t: The current Terms f Reference (see belw) The membership (see belw) The relatinship between RAMWESS, the SMG, the new Emplying Peple Grup 15 and the prpsed Operatinal Netwrk (see belw) The leadership f RAMWESS (see recmmendatin 3) The Terms f Reference wuld benefit frm including statements that explicitly link the wrk f RAMWESS members t the successful develpment f the Framewrk fr Actin s prfile in the regin; and activities that will ensure successful disseminatin and advcacy f the Framewrk t all relevant reginal and lcal partners. RAMWESS may, fr example, cnsider building up strategic mmentum with view t hsting a reginal cnference between January and March 2009 that will further the pprtunities fr embedding the Framewrk fr Actin in reginal and lcal strategies and plans 16. The Task and Finish Grup shuld priritise cmmunicatin activity and partner engagement wrk as necessary s that by 1 st April 2009 the Framewrk has a much higher prfile, and the Grup can review whether it has achieved the set task. At that pint, the Grup may wish t evlve again, and re-develp its activities fr the perid. The membership f the Task and Finish Grup was discussed at ne f the study s wrkshp events (28 th July 2008), and given the strategic fcus t March 2009, it was felt that there shuld be a cre membership including the fllwing rganisatins and representatin: The YHRMP Manager The Reginal Skills Partnership Directr (Chair) Yrkshire Frward Ecnmic Inclusin Team senir representative Reginal Learning and Skills Cuncil senir representative Jbcentre Plus senir representative Vluntary and cmmunity sectr representative RETAS and RIES Managers Business Link Business in the Cmmunity and an Emplyer Calitin representative TUC / Uninlearn The new Infrmatin, Advice and Guidance cntractr fr the regin (Careers Yrkshire and the Humber, frm August 2008) Each individual member needs t have sufficient authrity within their rganisatin t be able t make decisins at the Task and Finish Grup meetings. Additinal representatin n the Task and Finish Grup may be required frm ther cntributrs as agreed. It is als felt that the Task and Finish Grup requires a mre frmal status and reprting line t the Reginal Skills Partnership and Emplying Peple Grup. 15 The Emplying peple grup is sub grup f the Business Supprt partnership which exists t versee the Business Simplificatin prcess in Y & H 16 Depending n the timing f this event it may cincide naturally with the wider launch f the new Refugee and Asylum Seeker Integratin Strategy being prepared by the YHRMP Refugee Integratin Manager. In this way, ecnmies f scale might be achieved by prviding a single reginal event t launch the Strategy and the Framewrk fr Actin Skills Strategy Research 26

27 Recmmendatin 3: Leadership Leadership fr the refugee and asylum seeker skills and emplyment agenda needs t cme thrugh mre than a single champin. It must include a range f individuals, structures and advcacy activity between Octber 2008 and March 2009 including: Reginal Champin accepted n t the SMG membership; Leadership f the refcused Task and Finish Grup; Future leadership f the pririties fr actin e.g. a business/ rganisatinal champin t spearhead the prpsed emplyer engagement campaign frm 2009 nwards. Finally, in terms f future leadership fr the pririties fr actin cntained in this Framewrk, we believe, that leaders will emerge naturally as a cnsequence f the prpsed RAMWESS Operatinal Netwrk (see recmmendatin 4) Recmmendatin 4: RAMWESS Operatinal Netwrk T supprt the Task and Finish Grup, and t ensure a sustained partnership that has the talent, capacity and expertise t implement the Framewrk fr Actin, it is critical that an peratinal netwrk is in place acrss the Yrkshire and the Humber regin. This netwrk prbably exists very infrmally at present, and includes a range f service delivery agencies that prvide supprt, advice and guidance t refugees and asylum seekers. Hwever, we als believe that the infrmal nature f this netwrk prbably means that pprtunities fr crdinatin f resurces and the sharing f learning and gd practice may be being missed t the ultimate detriment f the client grups being supprted. A virtual netwrk r database f all knwn reginal and lcal rganisatins and individuals with a rle t play in implementing the Framewrk fr Actin shuld be established, and an engagement plan put in place by the RAMWESS Task and Finish Grup s that during the perid between Octber 2008 and March 2009: The Framewrk fr Actin can be shared with peratinal partners; A series f small-scale events can be staged that allw interested parties t sign up t wrking grups that are frmed arund each f the utcmes and respective pririty actins identified in this reprt; Practical cmmitments can be made by peratinal partners t supprting the Framewrk fr Actin; Leaders can be identified fr representing pririty fr actin activity areas frm 1 st April 2009 nwards frm within this peratinal netwrk. Skills Strategy Research 27

28 Outcmes Shuld all fur recmmendatins be adpted, it ur belief that: the Framewrk fr Actin will achieve a high prfile in the regin; a new level f leadership fr the refugee and asylum seeker skills and emplyment agenda will be secured and embedded in all relevant strategies and plans greater pprtunities fr knwledge transfer, learning and capacity building between strategic and peratinal partners will be ffered; cmmitments will be made t the future implementatin f the Framewrk frm 2009 nwards. Framewrk fr Actin lifespan The Framewrk fr Actin is recmmended t have a lifespan that runs up t the next Cmprehensive Spending Review (2011 mnth yet t be cnfirmed) and / r in parallel with the new Refugee and Asylum Seeker Integratin Strategy being prepared by the YHRMP Refugee Integratin Manager, which we understand is likely t be launched in Skills Strategy Research 28

29 7. BIBLIOGRAPHY English Language at Wrk, (TUC, CBI, DIUS, 2007) Finding Sanctuary, Enriching Yrkshire and Humber Cnsultative draft f the Integratin Strategy fr Refugees and Asylum Seekers ( ) (Y&H Reginal Migratin Partnership, ) Integratin Matters, A Natinal Strategy fr Refugee Integratin (Hme Office, March 2005, under review as at September 2008) Lndn Metrplitan University, varius publicatins Navigatin Guide: Emplyment Issues fr refugees and asylum seekers in the UK, Carter M, (ICAR, July 2008) Refugees and Asylum Seekers - An educatin training and emplyment guide (Lndn Metrplitan University, 2008) Refugee Assessment and Guidance Unit (RAGU), varius publicatins The Refugee Cuncil ( The Reginal Integratin Strategy, (Yrkshire & Humberside Cnsrtium fr Asylum Seekers and Refugees, T be superseded in March 2009) Wrking t Rebuild Lives, A Refugee Emplyment Strategy (DWP, 2003) Skills Strategy Research 29

30 8. CONSULTEES The fllwing peple have been cnsulted during the curse f the Framewrk develpment. The list is als helpful in identifying the great majrity f stakehlder rganisatins. Peter Amphlett Alistair Bamfrd David Brwn Sara Buck Lyndsey Bunn Sharn Burke Clare Cates Nami Chen Marcia Cunningham Gurdev Dahele Hilary Davies St Jhn Deakin Linda Dhesi Sam Dnaldsn Ann-Marie Edwardes Max Farrar Alisn France Paula Grizzard Anj Handa Jhn Harris Paul Harvey Ian Hastings Uninlearn, Trades Unin Cngress QED UK Yrkshire & Humber Reginal Migratin Partnership Leeds City Cuncil (SUNRISE) Yrkshire and Humber Assembly Uninlearn, Trades Unin Cngress Lcal Gvernment Yrkshire and the Humber Refugee New Arrivals Prject (RNAP) Gvernment Office, Yrkshire and the Humber ABDN Minrity Ethnic Enterprise Netwrk CITB - Cnstructin Skills Sheffield City Cuncil Jbcentre Plus West Yrkshire Emplyers Calitin Gvernment Office, Yrkshire and the Humber Leeds Metrplitan University DWP The Back t Wrk Cmpany WYEC Reginal Frum, Yrkshire & the Humber Vluntary Actin Sheffield Jbcentre Plus Skills Strategy Research 30

31 Imtiaz Jina Shamsa Latif James Lee Simn Lery Philippa Lester Jhn Lewis Pat Lister Alan Matthews Carline Meltn Barbara Mitchell Debbie Mnaghan Michael Nble Clare Nrflk David Nrman Andrew Palmer Thmas Parry Sharn Pickering Carline Rwley Jim Steinke Lynne Stevens Jacqueline Stevensn Steve Walmsley Duncan Wells Jhn Willtt QED UK Jbcentre Plus Refugee Cuncil LGYH LSC Trades Unin Cngress, Yrkshire and the Humber LSC Yrkshire Frward Business in the Cmmunity Skills fr Care Jbcentre Plus Leeds East Yrkshire Universities Jbcentre Plus Gvernment Office, Yrkshire and the Humber CBI FSB Reginal Skills Partnership Assciatin f Clleges, Yrkshire and the Humber Nrthern Refugee Centre Jbcentre Plus Leeds Metrplitan University LGYH Refugee Educatin and Training Advisry Service, Leeds Leeds Metrplitan University Skills Strategy Research 31

32 9. RISK ASSESSMENT Risk Likelihd Impact Risk Management Apprach/Mitigating Actins Plitical and Legal Change f pririties and plicies f Gvernment High High Onging review f changing Gvernment plicy in respect f immigratin and the translatin f thse plicies and the impact they have n this regin by the Reginal Migratin Partnership and Cre Grup; review and adaptatin f the Framewrk fr Actin as apprpriate (e.g. there are a limited number f skills and emplyment utcmes currently available fr asylum seekers wing t legal restrictins were these t change in future additinal utcmes might be pssible) Negative media cverage Med Med-High Awareness f wider media cverage that might impact n public perceptin f refugees and asylum seekers; cnsistent psitive PR campaign Leadership and Management Failure t get all parties t share same understanding f purpse Lack f supprt by senir staff in reginal strategic rganisatins Lack f leadership skills t ensure this Framewrk fr Actin is advcated in the way required between Octber 2008 and March 2009 Structures Lw High Rbust prcess f cmmunicatin f this Framewrk fr Actin t all key partners with a rle t play in its strategic psitining, advcacy and future implementatin Med Med Visible respnsibility fr this Framewrk and its advcacy by senir fficers in Cre Grup member rganisatins; capacity building and nging sharing f knwledge and infrmatin abut the main skills and emplyment issues fr refugees and asylum seekers in Yrkshire and the Humber. Lw High The Cre Grup needs t identify the leadership it requires fr SMG representatin; chairmanship; and fr future wrkstreams described in the Framewrk fr Actin (e.g. emplyer engagement; service delivery) Inability t develp Cre Grup and wider Lw Med High quality chairmanship f the Cre Grup, and efficient prcesses fr apprpriate recruitment t that Netwrk structures in the Autumn f 2008 grup; clear cmmunicatin f the Cre Grup s main task in raising the prfile f the Framewrk fr Actin between Octber 2008 and March 2009; and in develping disseminatin pprtunities t engage with the wider Netwrk in the regin that will have a rle in implementing the Framewrk frm April 2009 nwards. Delivery Failure t engage and excite the Netwrk f relevant service deliverers in the regin Lw High The Framewrk fr Actin is strategic, but its implementatin relies entirely n the perfrmance and crdinatin f services by a range f delivery rganisatins spread acrss Yrkshire and the Humber. They must be engaged, and helped t see the benefits and value added f sharing infrmatin, sharing knwledge and c-rdinating prvisin f services t the benefit f refugees and asylum seekers. Skills Strategy Research 32

33 Risk Likelihd Impact Risk Management Apprach/Mitigating Actins Mnitring and Evaluatin Failure t agree an adequate mnitring and evaluatin system fr measuring the successful implementatin f the Framewrk fr Actin between 2008 and 2011 Sustainability Failure t lbby fr and subsequently secure sufficient resurces t tackle the significant barriers t enabling successful skills and emplyment utcmes fr refugees and asylum seekers in the regin Emplyer Engagement Failure t engage businesses/ rganisatins in Yrkshire and the Humber High High Ensuring that evaluatin and mnitring is a key task fr the Cre Grup t define and agree by March 2009, and making best use f the talents f Yrkshire Futures t advise n an apprpriate (realistic) evaluatin framewrk mindful f significant limitatins in data cllectin pprtunities relating t refugee and asylum seeker client grups (wing t the fact that where data is cllected by key partner rganisatins ften the individual is nt bliged t declare their status as a refugee r asylum seeker). Medium Medium The Cre Grup recgnises that a range f funding surces and resurces are currently in place t supprt skills and emplyment actin fr refugees and asylum seekers, but t make bigger impacts ver the perid may require additinal resurces r a change in prvisin pririties (e.g. ESOL prvisin). Shuld funding nt be available t unlck such persistent skills challenges, the likelihd remains high that the client grup will nt achieve sustainable emplyment cmmensurate with their skills, knwledge and experience. Medium High A psitive emplyer engagement campaign is a key actin within the Framewrk, but there is n guarantee f success. Testing likely emplyer reactin t the prpsed campaign will help ensure that it is psitined in an effective manner in the regin. Skills Strategy Research 33