Key information and support
Immigration advice service
Citizens Advice Stevenage provide a countrywide immigration advice service for refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants. immigration@castevenage.org.uk
Migrant Help are the Home Office commissioned provider of independent advice and guidance to assist asylum seekers in the UK to move through and understand the asylum process. Support is also provided in the 56 days following a decision. 0808 8010 503
Also provide support with the transition to eVisas evisa@migranthelpuk.org 07483 170100.
For information and support regarding the phasing out of BRP and the introduction of eVisas, please see Support with eVisas
Waiting for decision / preparing to leave Home Office Accommodation
Once an asylum seeker receives a decision on their application, they will have less than two months to leave the accommodation provided by the Home Office. The asylum seeker will be required to leave on the date given and it's important not to wait for further communication from the Home Office to start preparing for this move – start planning now.
For more information please refer to Key messages for Asylum seekers leaving HO accommodation
Asylum Move on Liaison Officers (AMLO)
The Home Office offer a route for urgent queries arising in Hertfordshire asylum properties to be escalated to them. This is known as the ‘AMLO inbox’. Hertfordshire County Council and District & Borough local authorities which have asylum properties in their area are able to directly email a dedicated Home Office inbox which has been specifically created in order for urgent queries to quickly reach them. Partners and voluntary sector organisations will not be able to directly email the AMLO inbox, however, they are able to raise appropriate queries (see below) with Hertfordshire County Council via asylumsupport@hertfordshire.gov.uk and we can then send these on to the AMLO inbox.
The AMLO inbox is relevant for urgent queries relating to asylum seekers in any type of HO asylum accommodation (i.e. both contingency and dispersal sites). It is not designed for day-to-day concerns (e.g. food in hotels) or matters that should be dealt with locally or by other agencies.
The following types of queries could be sent to AMLO inbox:
- Decision letter and Home Office/Provider documentation queries
- Discontinuation of support queries
- Urgent reinstatements
- Discrepancies with family group claims
Voluntary return to home country
Asylum seekers can get help to return to their home country if they do not have permission to remain in the UK. This is known as ‘voluntary return’.
If eligible, the voluntary returns service can:
- explain options for returning home
- help get travel documents, such as a passport
- pay for travel tickets, if unable to
They may also be eligible to apply for financial support of up to £3,000. This can be used to find somewhere to live, find a job or start a business in their home country.
Get help to return home if you’re a migrant in the UK: Overview - GOV.UK
Money and benefits advice
The Money Advice Unit can provide Advice and information on issues related to benefits and budgeting. Individual support, (in person, digitally or by phone) in making benefits claims, such as Universal Credit, or getting further help.
Aspen cards expire after a decision has been made, any money remaining should be withdrawn as soon as a decision has been made or it will be lost. A bank account will need to be opened. Banks need ID and evidence of a fixed address. The address can be the hotel/property, but many banks also want a BRP/eVisa. Don’t give up if a bank rejects the application, others are more understanding and accommodating.
Household Support Fund To support with the cost of living, Hertfordshire has been provided with funding from the government’s Household Support Fund. This will be used to help people in need with things like the cost of energy and food.
Housing and homelessness advice
Housing
Asylum seekers living in Home Office provided accommodation will need to move to their own accommodation within 56 days of receiving a decision. They are very unlikely to be provided with accommodation by the Council unless it is decided that they meet ‘priority need’ criteria (e.g., children, or people with a serious medical condition). Contact the releventlocal housing authority who will determine if you meet ‘priority need’ criteria.
If a family with an unborn baby, child under the age of 18, or under 25 with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) is at risk of homelessness, consider if a referral to Children’s Services is appropriate using the
Continuum of Need: Professionals – report a concern about a child or young person | Hertfordshire County Council.
If an adult is at risk of homelessness, the query should be directed to the relevant District or Borough Council housing team (see below). They will determine whether someone has a ‘priority need’ and is eligible for emergency housing support. If they do not meet ‘priority need’ they will still be assisted searching for homes or rooms to rent, or will be referred to hostels and homeless shelters.
Citizen’s Advice Dacorum Asylum Refugee Support - countywide, confidential, independent information helpline providing holistic advice and general support. Please note, this is a rights advice service, it will not find accommodation for someone.
Always contact your local housing team as soon as possible.
Interactive map for local and countywide services
Employment
For government guidance regarding permission to work, please see Permission to work and volunteering for asylum seekers (accessible) - GOV.UK
Volunteering opportunities will improve English, build CV’s and confidence in the asylum seekers making them more employable when eligible to do so. GoVolHerts is a One-stop-hub for all volunteering queries, opportunities, and best practice advice across Hertfordshire. 01462 689409 info@govolherts.org.uk
For more help finding a job, contact the local Job Centre Plus
Education - Schools admissions and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
School Admissions
Hertfordshire County Council School Admissions and Transport Team coordinates placing children aged 5-16 in schools and organising transport where relevant.
Officer for refugee and asylum seeker queries can be contacted directly, these residents should not go via the usual website route.
Migration.Admissions@Hertfordshire.gov.uk or 01992 588366
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Asylum seekers are not entitled to access funded English language lessons for their first 6 months in the UK, several voluntary sector organisations provide free English language lessons, the Refugee Council has produced a useful directory of ESOL offers across Hertfordshire: HERTS ESOL PROVISION
For asylum seekers that have been waiting for more than 6 months, they can access English Language provision through Step2Skills | Hertfordshire County Council
For more details of English Language provision, please visit the Hertfordshire directory
More ESOL information available in our booklet.
Safety and safeguarding - Referrals and advice
Call emergency services on 999 if you or a person you are referring is in immediate danger or if a crime is being committed. If there is no immediate risk but a police response is required, call 101 as soon as possible, or if health advice is required, call 111.
If you have concerns about a child, please report to Children’s services safeguarding
Domestic abuse: Herts Beacon Domestic Abuse Outreach Triage 0300 002 0008
If you have concerns about an adult, please report to Adult safeguarding
The police are interested in building relations to increase trust and confidence, and encourage reporting of individual concerns, crime, community tensions and hate crime/ incidents. The Engagement Officers will assist partner agencies and interact with the community giving advice. They will act as a point of contact for the Constabulary and will direct you to relevant departments when needed.
You can contact Dani and Emma on communityengagement@herts.police.uk.
Report any modern slavery or exploitation
The Prevent strategy aims to reduce the threat to the UK from terrorism by stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. In an emergency, always call 999, otherwise email prevent@hertfordshire.gov.uk for advice or make a referral using the National Prevent referral form
Reporting incidents and intelligence: The police are interested in building intelligence about issues. If your organisation has an information sharing agreement, please report intelligence via your agreed pathway. Otherwise, you can report information online via: Report | Hertfordshire Constabulary or 101/Crimestoppers.
If you have a concern about a situation in one of the asylum contingency hotels or properties, then after reporting to the correct safeguarding route (if appropriate), then please email asylumsupport@hertfordshire.gov.uk so that the team is able to liaise with relevant partners.
Physical health and mental health and wellbeing
Physical health
Government’s migrant health guide: Assessing new patients from overseas: migrant health guide - GOV.UK
For general information about local health services in Hertfordshire including self help support, please visit Health in Herts | Hertfordshire County Council
GP: Everyone should be registered with a local surgery. People should discuss any existing health and mental health conditions with their GP
Dentist: A person does not need to wait for problems to appear before seeing a dentist. Dental health: migrant health guide - GOV.UK
Mental health and wellbeing community support service
The countywide Flourish service is here to provide advice, information, onward referral and holistic support to refugees and asylum seekers who are experiencing mental ill health or need support with their mental wellbeing or daily challenges. This service is available to refugees and asylum seekers aged 16 and above.
For a higher level of mental health support
Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust (HPFT) is the NHS provider responsible for Hertfordshire’s Mental Health services for cases that require a higher level of support.
Direct local support
Detailed information regarding the support available for refugees and asylum seekers both locally and countywide
Migrant Help provides independent advice and guidance to assist asylum seekers in the UK to move through and understand the asylum process.
Support is also provided in the 56 days following a positive asylum decision.
They also provide support with the transition to eVisas for vulnerable people evisa@migranthelpuk.org 07483 170100
Migrant Help - 0808 8010 503
Alternatively, please refer to Home | Hertfordshire Directory
Support for organisations
Funding requests
We will consider funding VCFSE organisations for projects that will achieve some or all of the following aims:
- Empower residents, building self-sufficiency, resilience, and confidence to live independent and fulfilling lives.
- Support and encourage integration into local and wider communities.
- Prepare families for transition away from current living arrangements such as moving on from a host sponsor or a hotel.
- Support mental health and wellbeing.
Please email Community.Wellbeing@hertfordshire.gov.uk for a small grant proposal form, to discuss a potential project, or to be added to the circulation list to receive regular updates, which include other funding opportunities when they come up.
Webinars and conferences
Regular webinars and conferences are held for all professionals and volunteers supporting refugees and asylum seekers. Email Community.Wellbeing@hertfordshire.gov.uk to request a link to the latest webinar or for information regarding upcoming conferences.