NRUC Information Booklet
2008
Index
3.
Introduction
4.
Frequently Asked Questions
10.
Lead Officer Nomination Form
11.
NRUC Additional User Form
12.
Training Venues and Dates
2
Introduction
The National Register for Unaccompanied Children (NRUC) was set
up as an initiative to provide a comprehensive database that securely
stores up to date information about unaccompanied asylum seeking
children (UASC) entering the country. The database was the first of
its kind created on a national basis and has contributed to the child
care agenda by helping to protect children, as well as tracking their
status and providing a venue for detailing the costs of the care they
receive. The development of the database has provided the potential
to utilise the systems in various ways to assist the welfare of young
people. Partners include the UKBA, Department for Children Schools
and Families (DCSF), Local Government Association (LGA) and London
Councils.
NRUC facilitates the communication between local authorities and the
UK Borders Agency (UKBA) working with UASC.
NRUC provides:
• A national picture of the location and status of unaccompanied
young people supported by local authorities.
• Tracking of young people, preventing duplication of claims
within boroughs and exploitation of young people.
• An information sharing tool between central and local government
via a single online service.
• A secure data transfer between local authorities and the UKBA.
• The viewing of CID data on supported young people, and enables
UKBA and the local authorities to reconcile records.
• Attachment of age assessments to the relevant child’s file for
• viewing by all appropriate individuals connected with the care of
the child.
• Detailed reports on a bespoke basis.
• A method for tracking and transferring new UASC cases within the
service rota operated by Croydon Council.
NRUC will be adapted to address the UASC reform programme. NRUC
is currently working with the Department for Children, Schools and
Families (DCSF) as a data source to integrate UASC data onto the
Contact Point database.
During November 08 and February 09 NRUC will be providing training
to all local authorities on the new developments to the system.
3
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is this register strictly for unaccompanied children only?
Yes. However, we are in discussions to extend the capacity.
Q: Do we have to install software onto our PCs to use the system?
You do not have to install any software on your PCs or Laptops as the
Register is an on-line application. All you need is access to the
internet.
Q: How do we nominate other users on the system?
You can nominate other users to have access to the Register by
contacting the NRUC Team, who will be able to issue usernames and
passwords.
Q: Who adds information on a child’s status?
Social Workers, Case Workers and other members using the Register.
Q: Are we still going to have to complete the V12s?
You will still need to complete V12s, until the UKBA instructs
otherwise.
Q: What happens to the grant claim? And will the UKBA act on the
data that is being supplied via the register?
UASC must be registered on the NRUC System for the purpose of
grant funding. The UKBA will be using the data taken from NRUC as
the basis for the Local Authorities to recover the grant claim.
Q: Is there anywhere on the system where we could log
documentation that we have seen for a child?
Yes. There are facilities for notes to be added to a case, as well as
attaching other documents such as Word documents, PDF files and
photos.
Q: Can Local Authorities specify reports and ask NRUC to provide
them?
Yes. NRUC can provide tailored reports and have them set-up to
individual Local Authority requirements.
4
Q: Could the information be used to remove these children to
countries where they will be at risk?
The register is a public record of the children, which is not under the
single control of the UKBA. The data is shared with local authority
children’s services and it is open to monitoring by agreed
organisations promoting children’s and refugee’s rights. The
Register will help ensure that any returns of children are legal,
properly planned and open to scrutiny by appropriate organisations.
Q: If you do not know the DOB and they are over 16, how would you
enter them onto the system?
You would enter your assessed DOB.
Q: Does the system automatically time-out?
Yes. The system has been designed to automatically time-out for
security purposes.
Q: If we update the data on the system, can the UKBA change/over-
write this data?
No. The information that you enter onto the system can only be
amended by the Local Authority who entered the data.
Q: Will there be an audit trail available?
NRUC has an audit trail function that allows an overview of data entry.
A local authority will be able to view an audit report to change its own
information, and if further assistance is needed, the NRUC team can
be contacted.
Q: Will the Systems Administrator change passwords for other users
from their Local Authority?
The Lead Officer can nominate who will require access to the system.
However, the NRUC Team will delegate and amend usernames and
passwords.
Q: How will you enter (onto the system) children who have children?
And is there a way of linking two cases together e.g. brother/sister?
There will be a facility on the NRUC System to link cases together.
5
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can we use the database to obtain new ARC cards or papers if the
date of birth is changed?
No. The usual UKBA procedures apply.
Q: Is the National Register designed to help the UKBA collect more
information on young people from abroad?
In virtually every single case the core information on the register
comes from the UKBA records in the first place. The information flows
from the central records and helps local agencies protect and plan for
vulnerable children.
Q: Isn’t NRUC just another example of the “Big Brother” society?
On the contrary, “Big Brother” and other oppressive societies and
groups operate in secrecy. They control access to records and can
conceal their actions and protect themselves from challenge. In just
the same way, unaccompanied children have far more to fear if their
stay in the UK is not a matter of public record. It is the “invisible”
children that face abuse and exploitation.
Q: Won’t the record be abused by people who want to get hold of the
children?
There are careful technical and other measures to control who can see
the records. It is only open to accredited organisations and the people
who work for them are fully screened before they can use the
Register.
Q: Who can see the information?
A Local Authority will only be able to view its own information. If there
is an instance where a local authority comes into contact with a child
who is currently or has in the past received a service from another
local authority, then the contact details of the other local authority
worker will be provided so that an exchange of information may be
facilitated.
Q: Will anyone other than LAs have access to the register?
Local Authorities and the UKBA will have primary access to the
register. In the future, provisions will be made so that other
organisations will have limited access to view summary results on the
register.
6
Q: Is there a limit on the number of cases per LA?
No.
Q: What is the maximum age of children held on register?
The Register will allow cases to be closed and archived with the view
that they can be reopened if required by a child returning for
assistance. The age at which this happens will generally be 18, but
can be adapted on a case by case basis.
Q: How often will the site be refreshed?
Currently we have a weekly feed from the A-CID database from the
UKBA. The information on the NRUC system itself will be updated
by the local authorities and will be live as soon as it is placed on the
system.
Q: Are all the LAs signing up to NRUC?
All Local Authorities who are currently assisting UASC will have access
to the Register. The Register will also function as the method by which
the local authorities will file their grant claims with the UKBA.
Q: Will there be a user guide available?
Full documentation (user guides and full user manuals) will be
available for the second release of the NRUC system.
Q: Marrying of data – Is a new alias created if the name is changed
by a Local Authority or if a Local Authority create a new record and
the UKBA create a record later?
Local Authority updates to NRUC are immediately live. The UKBA will
be notified when a change is made and the team there will be able
to view the new information. It is up to the UKBA to accept or reject
the update before entering it onto the A-CID system. If the update is
rejected, the UKBA will contact the Local Authority.
Q: Will LAs be able to add their own fields?
Not currently
7
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do you log expense claims for clients?
The three main areas of expense we are gathering for clients are
accommodation, special needs, and additional payments, such as
travel.
Q: Who will be authorised to change data?
There will be three general levels of permissions for the Local
Authorities. Top level permissions will allow all changes, while lower
level permissions will have limits to the ability to view and change
the information. On request, permissions may also be tailored to the
specific needs of a local authority. A Local Authority may only amend
its own information.
8
Contact Us
So that we can better serve and support you, please use the
details below to send us your feedback or request.
The NRUC Team:
Michael Gould - Team Manager
T. 020 7934 9656
E. [NRUC request email]
Donna Wilson - NRUC Lead Officer
T. 020 7934 9653
E. [email address]
Richard Eyre - NRUC Data Officer
T. 020 7934 9833
E. [email address]
NRUC Project
59 1/2 Southwark Street
London
SE1 0AL
Fax: 020 7934 9660
www.nruc.gov.uk
9
This section must be completed with the Chief
Lead Officer Nomination Form
Executive or Head of Service details
Name:
Title:
Representing:
Signature:
Date:
Address:
Telephone:
Email:
This section must be completed with the Nominated
Lead Officer details
The nominated Lead Officer for
is:
(insert the name of your Local Authority here)
Name:
Job Title:
Dept Name:
Team Name:
Office:
Address:
Post Code:
Email:
Telephone:
Please choose Lead Officer type:
New Lead Officer Additional Lead Officer Replacement Lead Officer
Name of Lead Officer being replaced:
Return completed form to:
NRUC Project, 2nd Floor,
59½ Southwark Street, London, SE1 0AL
10
Information
This section must be completed with Lead Officer details
NRUC Additional User’s Form
Name:
Local Authority:
Job title:
Department/Team:
Work address:
Post Code:
Email:
Telephone:
Signature:
Date:
P
This section must be completed with the Additional User
ack
details* (please print additional sheets as required)
Name:
Job title:
Department
Team:
Work address:
Post Code:
Email:
Telephone:
Name:
Job title:
Department
Team:
Work address:
Post Code:
Email:
Telephone:
Return completed form to:
NRUC Project, 2nd Floor,
59½ Southwark Street, London, SE1 0AL
11
NRUC
Scotland - Glasgow - 3rd November 2008
Ramada Glasgow City
201 Ingram Street
Glasgow
G1 1DQ
Training
North East - Newcastle - 5th November 2008
Holiday Inn Express
Waterloo Square
St James Blvd.
NE2 4DN
North West - Salford - 7th November 2008
Venues
Holiday Inn
Liverpool St
Salford
M5 4LT
Yorkshire & Humberside - Leeds - 10th November 2008
Jurys Inn
Kendell Street
&
Brewery Place
Leeds
LS10 1NE
Dates
East of England - Norwich - 14th November 2008
Holiday Inn
Ipswich Road
Norwich
NR4 6EP
12
NRUC
West Midlands - Birmingham - 17th November 2008
Holiday Inn
Smallbrook
Queensway
Birmingham
B5 4EW
Training
South West - Bath - 19th November 2008
Mecure Francis Hotel
Queens Square
Bath
BA1 2HH
Wales - Cardiff - 21st November 2008
Park Innff
Circle Way East
Venues
Cardiff
Llanedeyrn
CF23 9XF
London, Victoria - 24th & 25th November 2008
MWB
10 Greycoat Place
Victoria
London
&
SW1P 1SB
Dates
South East - Maidstone - 28th November 2008
Best Western Russell Hotel
136 Boxley Road
Maidstone
ME14 2AE
For more details of NRUC’s training sessions please
email: [email address]
13
Notes
14
Notes
15
The NRUC Team:
Michael Gould - Team Manager
T. 020 7934 9656
E. [NRUC request email]
Donna Wilson - NRUC Lead Officer
T. 020 7934 9653
E. [email address]
Richard Eyre - NRUC Data Officer
T. 020 7934 9833
E. [email address]
NRUC Project
59 1/2 Southwark Street
London
SE1 0AL
Fax: 020 7934 9660
www.nruc.gov.uk
