NRPF Network Meeting - Date 21/5/08
Minutes
Matters Arising
•
Subsistence rates
Agreed that the subsistence rates that the Network had collated would be re-
circulated. We know that different boroughs use different rates, but the
Coventry Case which was about subsistence costs was lost because they
could not show a logic about how subsistence was paid. The important point
is that a local authority needs to follow logical reasoning about how they
devise their support level. Keeping within a rate used by other boroughs could
form part of this reasoning.
Action: re-circulate subsistence rates
•
Front line practitioners forum
It was suggested that a conference or a series of seminar/workshop events
may be another way to meet the needs of front line practitioners. Simon from
Croydon has practitioners keen to get involved.
Action: Agreed to discuss setting up this up at the next meeting and to open
up the email group to all practitioners in local authorities.
Agenda
Feedback from the National Network
• Jonathan gave an update on the national conferences. The first
conference in Manchester was attended by 70 delegates including
representatives from the BIA North West region. Topics covered
included barriers to local authorities to providing assistance,
inconsistent practise in different local authorities, difficulty in contacting
the BIA. The 2nd conference is on 28th May in Birmingham.
• Olvia fed back on the Domestic Violence Report from Islington. This
was about women who are victims of domestic violence and have no
recourse to public funds. Of 19 women in refuges accepted for support,
60% were supported by local authorities. The report sent to the home
office recommends access to immediate accommodation and services,
and retrospective funding.
• Olvia spoke at the National Day of Action at Portcullis House,
organised by the Voluntary Sector Women’s Groups. The National
Network responded to the ‘No Recourse, No Safety’ Amnesty
International report which was quite critical of local authority support,
and the failure to protect women.
• The National Network is collating data about the numbers and costs of
people supported which will be presented to the Home Office. So far
they have had responses from 50 local authorities. Wandsworth
requested that for this meeting the information specifically about
London be extracted from the report when it is complete. It was thought
that the response from the Home Office may be to respond by case
resolution.
• The National Network is working on a new set of guidance for local
authorities. Guidance for working with children and families should be
completed by July.
• A training programme is being piloted.
• The Independent Asylum Commission has written a report about
destitution and support. The National Network has submitted a
response –asking that strategic guidance to Local Authorities is
included, and the issue of re-imbursement to Local Authorities.
Path to Citizenship
This is a green paper to which the National Network has provided a response.
The current proposals are that refugees will get temporary residence and will
receive benefits, then after 5 years will move to ‘probationary citizenship’.
During this time they will be NRPF and will have to prove that they can
support themselves. Then they will move to permanent residency after 3-5
years.
The National Network has made 9 recommendations which includes concerns
about increased administration costs, creating a new category, how will local
authorities be reimbursed when people are NRPF? how will there be input into
community development to assist people into work etc?
Freedom Pass
Freedom passes have been stopped in Wandsworth following a legal
challenge.
For a freedom pass, a person needs to meet the eligibility criteria for mobility,
and should be assessed under this. If the person meets the mobility criteria
they should get a freedom pass.
Local Authority Updates
Westminster
Islington and Croydon have a letter (conditions of service). Bill Brittain
suggested that the Network could develop a leaflet/guidelines.
Action:Islington and Croydon Conditions of Service to be circulated.
Haringey
Haringey are dispersing existing clients to Birmingham. Health needs are
transferred to Birmingham and Haringey continue to pay subsistence and
accommodation costs. Some people being dispersed are asking for
assistance to move various belongings. Do local authorities use indications of
wealth in their assessments?
Barking and Dagenham
Have been working with a failed habitual resident who has a right to work but
not to benefits. It was advised that an appeal should be made to DWP.
Wandsworth
Have been picking up a lot of people coming through hospital who have
previously stayed in other local authorities. This can be a difficult area –
hospital is not an ordinary residence, but there are contradictions between
legislation and guidance
Croydon
Have been working with someone leaving care and finding difficulty around
eligibility in transition. Islington has drafted a protocol with leaving care
services which may be helpful.
Action: Olvia to bring to next meeting.
