Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers:

Transcription

1 Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches Report of Launch Event 14th November 2008

2 Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches Launch Event Report 14 th November 2008 CONTENTS Introduction... 3 Presentations... 4 RESEARCH FINDINGS... 5 PANEL PRESENTATIONS... 7 Service User Perspective... 7 Disability Organisation Perspective... 7 Refugee Community Organisation Perspective... 7 Richard Barnes, Deputy Mayor of London... 8 WORKSHOPS Workshop 1 - Working With Disabled Refugees and Asylum Seekers Workshop 2 - Training and Knowledge Requirements Workshop 3 - Policy Development on Disability Support For Asylum Seekers and Refused Asylum Seekers Closing remarks APPENDICES Appendix 1: Refugee Support Appendix 2: Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees (ICAR) Appendix 3: Research Project Steering Group Members Appendix 4: Programme Appendix 5: List of participating organisations Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches Page 2 of 24

3 Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches Introduction This report summarises the findings that emerged from the launch event held in November 2008 at the Mayor s Office (City Hall) in London to release the research report Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches. The research was commissioned by the Research and Consultancy Unit (RCU) at Metropolitan Support Trust/ Refugee Support to the Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees (ICAR). The aims of the report were: to identify how refugee community and mainstream organisations assist and support disabled asylum seekers and refugees in London; to capture the experiences of such hard to reach populations; and to propose recommendations for improving services and access to services for disabled refugees and asylum seekers. Audience Richard Barnes, Deputy Mayor of the Greater London Authority (GLA), was the keynote speaker. Over 100 stakeholders from the statutory, disability and refugee sectors attended, including refugee community organisations (RCOs), the UK Border Agency, refugee support organisations and mainstream disability organisations. The launch event provided an opportunity for participants to discuss ways of improving service provision for disabled refugees and asylum seekers, as well as ways of improving access to such services. Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches Page 3 of 24

4 Presentations The event was chaired by Barbara Roche, Chair of MST. Presentations were provided by: Neil Amas, Director of the Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees (ICAR), who gave a presentation on the findings and recommendations of the research report; Jhon Marulanda, The Latin American Disabled People s Project (LADPP); Claire Glasman, Co-Founder of WinVisible (women with visible and invisible disabilities); Ms Iman Saab, a disabled woman seeking asylum in the UK; Richard Barnes, Deputy Mayor of London There then followed a question and answer session, after which delegates attended workshops to discuss the key policy recommendations deriving from the report. The full report and executive summary can be downloaded from: If you would like to learn more about Refugee Support s research, contact the Research and Consultancy Manager, Charlotte Keeble on: Tel: charlotte.keeble@mst-online.org.uk Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches Page 4 of 24

5 RESEARCH FINDINGS Neil Amas Director, Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees (ICAR) Neil introduced the research report Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches and explained that MST had identified a research gap in this area (apart from mental health, there is a significant lack of research on disabled refugees and asylum seekers in the UK) and had therefore commissioned the research with a view to identifying the support needs of this population. Disabled refugees and asylum seekers face particular and often multiple disadvantages: experiences of war or torture, cultural and linguistic differences and a system of rights and entitlements for immigrants that is complex and increasingly restrictive, means that this population present a very specific set of needs and experiences. Some of these are shared with the UK s existing ethnic minority populations, but others are additional and refugee-specific. More specifically, the research aimed to establish what support disabled refugees and asylum seekers were receiving, particularly from Refugee Community Organisations (RCOs). Neil explained the research methodology and provided a sample breakdown of the service providers and disabled refugees and asylum seekers that had been interviewed for the research: during the first phase of the research, 51 short telephone interviews were conducted with service providers, this was followed by 19 in-depth interviews with organisations supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers and in the final phase, 21 in-depth interviews were carried out with disabled refugees and asylum seekers. Neil then outlined the key findings from the research: Very few of the mainstream or Black and Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) disability organisations contacted are working with disabled asylum seekers and refugees; Refugee support organisations and RCOs are providing the bulk of support. However, RCOs in particular are hampered by a lack of resources and in some cases, lacked expertise on disability issues; Barriers to accessing services stemmed from language issues, including lack of interpreters; the impact on immigration status on entitlements; and cultural Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches Page 5 of 24

6 misunderstandings between service providers and disabled refugees and asylum seekers, along with the stigma attached to disability in some refugee populations. There is confusion and ignorance about entitlements at every level of service, from RCOs to hospitals; Statutory providers are applying the law inconsistently or inappropriately and contesting responsibility; UKBA staff are seen to be insensitive to the needs of disabled asylum seekers in relation to accommodation and support; There is a complete lack of reliable data on the number of disabled refugees and asylum seekers. Mainstream disability organisations were found to monitor ethnicity but not immigration status. Where data was found to be collected, there was little commonality between organisations in terms of how and what data is recorded. The research included four key policy recommendations: 1. Mainstream disability organisations should review existing practises and take a more proactive approach; 2. Regular training should be implemented for disability organisations, statutory services, UKBA and RCOs on some or all of the following: rights and entitlements of asylum seekers, refugees and other people subject to immigration controls, on disability law and definitions, and on the use and provision of interpreters; 3. The Home Office should review disability support for asylum seekers and refused asylum seekers; 4. Existing client data collection systems should be reviewed by mainstream disability organisations, statutory providers, refugee support organisations and RCOs to enable better recording of information on the needs of disabled asylum seekers and refugees whilst ensuring choice and confidentiality in regards to self-identification of immigration status. Additionally, a number of supplementary recommendations are listed in the full report. Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches Page 6 of 24

7 PANEL PRESENTATIONS Following Neil s presentation, Iman Saab gave her personal account of being a disabled asylum seeking woman in the UK and the other panel members highlighted their particular experiences of working with disabled refugees and asylum seekers. Service User Perspective Iman Saab Iman gave an account of her experiences as a disabled woman seeking asylum in the UK. She described the difficulties she faced as an asylum seeker, being unable to work and instead having to survive on supermarket vouchers and subsistence payments from social services as opposed to normal disability benefits, which as an asylum seeker, she is not entitled to. Disability Organisation Perspective Claire Glasman Co-Founder, WinVisible Claire explained the work of WinVisible (women with visible and invisible disabilities), which she helped set up in WinVisible provides an independent voice for asylum-seeking, refugee, immigrant and UK-born women of different ages and situations. It is based at the Crossroads Women's Centre and also works with non-disabled women. A long-time activist in the disability movement, Claire highlighted her extensive experience of providing self-help information to other disabled women, campaigning for benefit rights and accessible public transport, and against charges/rationing of care. Her primary concern, as she told participants, was that immigration legislation had eroded asylum-seekers right to legal aid and support from local authorities, resulting in many disabled asylum seekers experiencing extreme hardship. Refugee Community Organisation Perspective Jhon Marulanda Strategy and Development Manager, Latin American Disabled People s Project (LADPP) Jhon described the work of the LADPP, a user-led disabled charity organisation which provides advice and support to disabled Spanish and Portuguese speaking people and their communities in London. He focused on the difficulties his service users had in accessing statutory services such as GPs and jobcentres, and stated that benefits agencies and social services were often unaware of the support asylum-seekers and refugees were entitled to. Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches Page 7 of 24

8 Richard Barnes, Deputy Mayor of London Summary prepared by Policy Support Unit, GLA Richard Barnes welcomed the research findings and said he would ask the Senior Policy Adviser to the Mayor of London on Disability and the GLA Stakeholders to liase with the mainstream disability sector and the Third sector to encourage/challenge them to respond to the research recommendations and make their services more accessible to disabled refugees and asylum seekers. He informed participants of the Mayor s support for the need for culturally appropriate training for staff across a range of agencies to be able to recognise and respond to the needs of disabled refugees and asylum seekers, and the partnership working between mainstream service providers and the Refugee Community Organisations (RCOs) as part of the delivery of the Refugee Integration Strategy. He also emphasised that the Mayor s Refugee Integration Strategy will consider the needs of disabled asylum seekers and refugees in all its core themes. He then updated the participants on the progress of the Refugee Integration Strategy, saying that the GLA currently has a draft strategy, which has already been consulted upon last year. He described MRAP, the Mayor s Refugee Advisory Panel as being instrumental in that consultation, which was very far reaching and included outreach to disabled refugees. Since then the GLA has been fine-tuning and redrafting the strategy to incorporate some comments including those from the Home Office. Once complete the GLA will publish a four-year strategy with delivery driven partly by the Mayor and the functional bodies but also by Local Authorities, the voluntary and community sector and the RCOs themselves as well as a role for government. Richard Barnes informed participants that from this year, the Mayor is taking the strategic lead in London for all migrants, in agreement with the Home Office, and establishing as a successor to BRIL a new London Strategic Migration Partnership. This will oversee delivery of the strategy and identify a few issues that affect all migrants. The GLA will reconvene the Board for Refugee Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches Page 8 of 24

9 Integration (BRIL) for the last time to agree the draft strategy and terms of reference for a wider partnership lead by the Mayor. He also informed the participants that the Mayor is hoping to launch the strategy in Spring 2009 after the London Strategic Migration Partnership (LSMP) has considered it at its first meeting. He highlighted that the Mayor welcomed this leadership role as it gives him, with key regional stakeholders a firm platform for presenting London s perspective on immigration and asylum policy to government and (as appropriate) the EU Commission. It also presents a further step towards Government recognition that, as elected leader of the city receiving four out of every ten migrants to the UK, he should have a voice in framing responses to international migration. The deputy Mayor emphasised that the work to achieve the integration of London s migrant communities - from mainstreaming the needs of refugees and asylum seekers into service delivery, to capacity-building, community engagement and data-gathering tasks - can for the first time be coordinated city-wide, with a focus on shared goals that align to those of other pan-london strategies adopted by the Mayor. This offers London the opportunity for a step-change in effectiveness and efficiency of integration work. Richard Barnes reflected on the Mayor s recognition of London, with its estimated population of over 7½ million, as the most dynamic, cosmopolitan and diverse major city in the UK, and one of few genuine world cities. Despite the current downturn, the capital remains a key driver in the UK economy, attracting high levels of foreign investment, drawing large numbers of tourists from around the world, and generating a large tax contribution to the national treasury. He also acknowledged that in the 21st Century international migration is more than ever a key factor in shaping the capital as people born abroad make up roughly one in three of all Londoners and two fifths of its working age population. However, he recognised that London continues to be divided by huge inequalities in income, employment and quality of life. He conveyed a message that the Mayor wants to ensure that London is a place of opportunity for everyone who lives or works here and that he plans to expand opportunity through a package of programmes and schemes. He said that a fresh analysis and different solutions to increasing community cohesion and tackling disadvantage to achieve equal life chances for all is needed as an approach to bring Londoners together. He also informed the participants that the questions of possible inequality or discrimination within communities have been explored extensively in drafting the Mayor s Refugee Integration Strategy for BRIL. He acknowledged that there is a need to address specific issues in this population (for Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches Page 9 of 24

10 example extra barriers in the labour market, and gender violence) to tackle risks of multiple disadvantages in these communities. He also agreed that it is necessary to conduct research into specific needs of respective equalities groups, such as this research has done. Richard Barnes concluded his speech by saying establishing the LSMP should make a major contribution to the Mayor s equalities objectives, in two ways. Firstly it will focus on integration of refugees, asylum seekers and all migrants particularly at risk of social and economic exclusion as the core function of the LSMP is to promote equal access for communities that are, on available evidence, among the most heavily disadvantaged in London. Secondly the Partnership, through analytical work and community engagement, is expected to address equalities challenges arising within the refugee and migrant population itself including the disabled asylum seekers and refugees issues. He shared with the participants that the Mayor is to launch his Equality Framework Equal Life Chances for all for wider consultation on 26 November and that the Mayor and himself are working to deliver the Mayor s vision of equal life chances for all Londoners throughout the GLA Group by ensuring the Group s workforce and service delivery reflect this vision. The Mayor will provide leadership and support to the public, private and voluntary sectors across London to work towards this goal, in particular through the Diversity Works and Responsible Procurement Programmes. Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches Page 10 of 24

11 WORKSHOPS Participants split into workshops to discuss three key policy recommendations and to examine the following three key points: 1) Is the policy recommendation sound/reasonable? If not why not and what should the policy recommendation look like? 2) Discuss ways in which it could be implemented: identifying key stages, key bodies/organisations/relevant stakeholders, opportunities for partnership working, suggested timelines, key actions? 3) Identify any barriers to implementation and suggest possible solutions to overcome them? Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches Page 11 of 24

12 Workshop 1 - Working With Disabled Refugees and Asylum Seekers Facilitator: Devan Kanthamsamy, Refugee Housing Partnership Facilitator (HACT) The Workshop discussed the report s recommendation: Mainstream disability organisations should review existing practises and policies in relation to the accessibility of disability services for refugees and asylum seekers, taking a more proactive approach towards these groups including consulting them on service development. Discussion Participants were in agreement that current practice needs to be reviewed and identified as key actors: London Strategic Migration Partnership; disabled people s organisations; Department of Health; and Trusts such as charitable trusts, the Big Lottery. Key actions identified by workshop participants included: Guidelines to be published standardisation of policy based on good practice Joint working, between RCOs, disability organisations and local authorities mandatory policy for all boroughs Need to raise profile of mainstream disability organisations in RCOs Mainstream disability organisations need to review resources to offer more culturally appropriate services Potential barriers to implementing the recommendation were felt to be: Difficulties in accessing funding for projects Data protection act difficulties in sharing information Confusion over entitlements Resourcing priorities Racism Finally, participants identified some solutions to the obstacles: Awareness raising guidelines Practical solutions such as placements within other organisations to share knowledge and expertise Increase positive image of refugees and asylum seekers in the media A web-based directory to connect organisations Greater communication between RCOs and mainstream role for CVS Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches Page 12 of 24

13 Workshop 2 - Training and Knowledge Requirements Facilitators: Stephanie Schreiber, Policy & Research Manager, LORECA Antonia Oakley, Operations Manager, MST London The Workshop discussed the report s recommendation Regular training for mainstream disability organisations, statutory services, UKBA and RCOs on some or all of the following: asylum seeker, refugee, migrant worker and other immigrants rights and entitlements; on disability law and definitions; on cultural and gender issues and identifying and dealing with unfamiliar and multiple disabilities such as those caused by war, violence and bereavement; and on the use and provision of interpreters. Discussion Participants were in agreement with the research recommendation that there appears to be a lack of joined up working and knowledge sharing and identified as key actors: Local authorities; the third sector; UKBA (particularly with regard to issuing guidance on asylum seekers); and the Mayor/London Strategic Migration Partnership in conjunction with key pan-london bodies Participants outlined what key actions they felt were needed, including: Areas of best practice / creative support- there was strong interest from both Local Authority staff and VCS staff to better publicise current avenues for sharing best practice, and there was also interest in bringing these two sectors more closely together- so that they can benefit from their respective areas of expertise- e.g. VCS may have better knowledge of needs of a particular community- but local government have more resources. Peer learning: equality audit Utilising existing support networks- e.g. Local authorities have some good practices in place Clearer guidance on asylum entitlements Exchanges between sectors Lobbying Communication with funders - making funders/commissioners more aware of gaps/what needs funding- so that they are better briefed and design realistic funding specs. Home Office and Dept. of Health to work in partnership and commission - developing some guidance for statutory and other funders, so that they ensure services are open and accessible. Umbrella steering group delivering training and lobbying for funding Potential barriers to implementing the recommendation were identified as: economic/ legislative restraints placing restrictions, particularly for asylum seekers Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches Page 13 of 24

14 LA s re-organisations emphasis on screening customers out Lack of resources for RCOs preventing attendance/ participation in training Service provider lack of awareness of rights and entitlements leading to services not being offered Service provider lack of referrals/signposting to different services Breaking down of incorrect perceptions Finally, participants outlined some solutions to these obstacles: Resources for RCOs RCOS & mainstream disability organisations should utilise intermediate bodies 2 nd tier Utilise model in mental health service multidisciplinary working Cross-borough working Networks crosscutting and campaigning Campaigning nationally bringing together different sectors/ organisations Including this subject area in national strategies Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches Page 14 of 24

15 Workshop 3 - Policy Development on Disability Support For Asylum Seekers and Refused Asylum Seekers Facilitators: Paul Birtill, Director of Development & Investment, MST Andrew Little, Chief Executive, London Deaf and Disability Organisations' CIC The Workshop discussed the report s recommendation: The Home Office should review, in consultation with disability experts, disability support for asylum seekers and refused asylum seekers. This should include the use of vouchers where cash payment causes less hardship and the need for specialist and additional subsistence support. Discussion Participants agreed that current practice needs to be reviewed: that there is a gap at the start of the asylum process where proper assessment should take place; lack of suitable accommodation, asylum seekers don t have access to direct payments - need support in kind; all disabilities must be recognised, however invisible. However, it was felt that the recommendation needed tightening, and it was important: to clarify who disability experts are - It is very important that people with disabilities are specifically and explicitly included in any definition of what constitutes 'disability experts'; to ensure the recommendation was SMART; to remove the specific reference to vouchers this information should not be included in this recommendation as it is too specific, further discussion with the Home Office is required to determine how disability support is best administered. to include accommodation and treatment issues (access to medication). Participants then identified as key actors: UKBA; Asylum seekers housing providers; London Strategic Migration Partnership; Local authorities/ social services; Human rights organisations; Disabled people s organisations; MPs; Department of Health; Trusts, such as charitable trusts, Lottery; and independent grassroots organisations. Key actions identified by participants included: UKBA/ Local authorities to provide suitable interim accommodation Level of care provided by UKBA / local authorities needs to be clarified Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches Page 15 of 24

16 Relationship/ role between UKBA and social services needs to be clarified: it should be made clear exactly what is required and who is responsible for what Report should be addressed directly to CEO of UKBA Participants outlined that the following may present obstacles to the recommendation being implemented successfully: Gap in referral to services (UKBA to Social services): inappropriate handovers/ provision of support lack of clarity about who is entitled to what and who is responsible for providing those entitlements/services Inflexibility in allocation of resources (accommodation suitable for disabled people) Poor interface between UKBA and statutory and voluntary agencies Media as well as social and community attitude lack of 'choice' that disabled AS have, especially when compared to UK citizens & the personalisation agenda. Finally, participants discussed how such obstacles might be overcome and suggested: Guidance needs to be developed e.g. on personalisation agenda Positive media messages - media message should include myth busting Clarification of roles and responsibilities Closing remarks Barbara Roche Chair, MST Barbara thanked participants for attending the launch event and then gave a summary of the views that had emerged from the workshop discussions. She assured participants that the findings that had emerged from workshops would be taken into account by the Research and Consultancy Unit, who would work on ensuring that recommendations were taken forward. She expressed her hope that the recommendations of the research report launched at the event would translate into action and that services for disabled refugees and asylum seekers could be improved. Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches Page 16 of 24

17 APPENDICES Appendix 1: Refugee Support Refugee Support is one of the country's leading providers of housing and support for refugees and asylum seekers, and is the brand name of Metropolitan Support Trust s (MST) refugee services. MST is part of Metropolitan Housing Partnership, a family of social businesses that support and complement each other's work. Refugee Support was established in 1957, as the British Council for Aid to Refugees (BCAR) Housing Society. Its first challenge was to house some of the Hungarian refugees who came to the UK after the 1956 uprising. In 1994 BCAR Housing merged with the Refugee Council s Housing Division, to become Refugee Housing Association. In 1997, Refugee Housing Association the previous name of Refugee Support became an independent subsidiary of Metropolitan Housing Partnership. Metropolitan Housing Partnership, the parent organisation of MST, also works with many refugees, who form part of the diverse communities it serves. Metropolitan Housing Partnership is one of the fastest growing registered social landlords in the UK, responsible for over 34,000 homes in London, the Midlands and East Anglia. It also builds shared ownership properties and is involved in housing regeneration projects and community development. MST was created in April 2007 from four organisations (Refugee Housing Association, StepForward, Threshold Support and Walbrook Support) coming together to provide a wide range of specialist services to vulnerable people. It is a registered social landlord and a registered charity. MST operates across London, the East and West Midlands, and Yorkshire and Humberside, and works with refugees, people with mental health needs and learning disabilities, older people and other client groups. MST also advocates for progressive social policy. One of the exciting initiatives within Refugee Support is the new programmes made possible by the Ashmore Fund. The Ashmore Fund is restricted within MST and was created from the free reserves of the former Refugee Housing Association. It is named after the former Chair, Gillian Ashmore. The purpose of the fund is to support innovative initiatives for the benefit of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, and the Research Unit has received funding for its set up costs from it. Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches Page 17 of 24

18 Housing continues to be the anchor of all MST s work, as it remains a priority element of refugees integration, but MST organises its services around the individual and aims to assist every service user to make a positive contribution to the UK. The Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches research is the first research project for 2008/09. Metropolitan Support Trust/ Refugee Support Research and Consultancy Unit MHT House Crescent Lane Clapham Lane London SW4 9RS Tel: Website: RCU webpage: Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches Page 18 of 24

19 Appendix 2: Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees (ICAR) The Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees (ICAR) is an independent information and research organisation based in the School of Social Science at City University, London. ICAR encourages understanding, public debate and policy-making about asylum and refugees in the UK, grounded in accurate and academically-sourced information. Established in 2001, ICAR aims to: collect and make available independent information on asylum in the UK; undertake research on asylum and refugee issues; explore ways of improving the lives of refugees and asylum seekers in the UK; generate new thinking on asylum and raise the level of public debate; provide consultancy expertise to government, practitioners, funders and community organisations. ICAR does not have a Centre view. The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the authors. Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees School of Social Science City University Northampton Square London, EC1V 0HB Tel: Fax: icar@city.ac.uk Web: Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches Page 19 of 24

20 Appendix 3: Research Project Steering Group Members The Greater London Authority (GLA) is a unique form of strategic citywide government for London. It is made up of a directly elected mayor the Mayor of London and a separately elected Assembly the London Assembly. There are around 600 staff to help the Mayor and the Assembly in their duties. Praxis is a busy centre in East London visited by over 10,000 people each year. It provides a wealth of advice and support services to migrants and refugees from all over the world, as well as a welcoming meeting place for displaced communities. WinVisible brings together asylum-seeking, refugee and UK-born women, with visible as well as invisible disabilities such as polio, Sickle Cell Anaemia and cancer. Since 1984, WinVisible s grassroots group has been an independent voice for women of all ages and situations. It provides self-help information and advocacy, including: on homecare, welfare benefits, employment, transport, and against violence, sexism, racism and other discrimination. Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches Page 20 of 24

21 Appendix 4: Programme Supporting Disabled Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Opportunities for New Approaches 14 th November 2008 PROGRAMME 9.30 Registration Welcome/Introductions Barbara Roche-MST Chair Research Findings Neil Amas Director, Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees (ICAR) Service User Perspective Iman Saab Disability Organisation s Perspective Claire Glasman WinVisible Questions Refugee Community Organisation s perspective Jhon Marulanda Latin American Disabled Peoples Project (LADPP) Deputy Mayor speech Richard Barnes Greater London Authority BREAK/COFFEE Workshops Committee Rooms 1, 4 & Feedback from workshops Summary Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches Page 21 of 24

22 Appendix 5: List of participating organisations All African Women's Group Asylum Seekers Team - London Borough of Lambeth Black Women's Rape Action Project British Black In Poverty Network British Red Cross Society Case Resolution Directorate - UK Border Agency Croydon Social Services - Adults in Need Team Department of Applied Social Sciences - London Metropolitan University Disability Action in Islington Disability Alliance Disability Law Service Disability Now Disabled Information Advice Line - Barking and Dagenham Equality and Human Rights Commission External Affairs Unit - UNHCR Face to Face Disability and Debt Advice HACT HADEA Headway-East London Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees (ICAR) Islington Refugee Integration Service (IRIS) KCIL Ltd Kurdish Advice Centre Latin American Disabled People's Project Leonard Cheshire Disability London & SE Region - UK Border Agency London and South Regions National Housing Federation London Autistic Rights Movement London Borough of Camden Engagement & Diversity Team Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches Page 22 of 24

23 London Borough of Lambeth Adult Social Services London Community Interest Company (CIC) of Deaf and Disability Organisations London Councils London Voluntary Service Council LORECA Merton Disability Services Migrant and Refugee Communities Forum (MRCF) National Housing Federation - London National Deaf Children s Society NHS Employers Omid / Hope Physical Disability, Sensory Loss, HIV Social Work Service - Hammersmith and Fulham RADAR Refugee Crisis Intervention Service Refugee Floating Support Services - London Cyrenians Housing Ltd Refugee Integration Team - GLA Refugee Support/ MST Refugees in Effective and Active Partnership (REAP) Sandwell Council Santé Refugee Mental Health Access Project Supporting People Team - London Borough of Newham Supporting People Team - The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea The Young Foundation UK Border Agency Unaccompanied Minors Team, Asylum Seekers Team - Lambeth Unltd West London YMCA Winvisible Women's Resource Project Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches Page 23 of 24

24 Research and Consultancy Unit Metropolitan Support Trust MHT House Crescent Lane London SW4 9RS Tel: Website: