Asylum refugees FAQ
What involvement does Liverpool city council have in the assylum seekers community?
Liverpool City Council is keen that Asylum Seekers are made to feel safe and welcome in the city and works closely with the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) to try to ensure that all Asylum Seekers and Refugees are living in a safe and suitable environment. The City Council organizes a Strategic group which brings together multi agencies including; NASS Police Voluntary Sector Education Health Department Of Works and Pensions (DWP) Colleges Esol ( English for Speakers of other Languages) Refugee Action Housing Assocs. It is recognised by the City Council that Asylum Seekers are in a vulnerable position while their claims are being determined and that due to legislative constraints imposed upon Local Authorities, we are often powerless to intervene in many situations due to the removal of certain statutory rights for Asylum seekers, such as benefits,employment,housing etc. This of course has an impact when people have reached the end of the appeal process and are effectively made destitute unless or until they are deported from the UK. As the local Authority has no power to directly assist these groups, we work closely with the voluntary sector and refugee organisations to try and provide help and assistance. As a group, it is also recognised that Asylum Seekers are often highly skilled and educated, with abilities and skills that are much needed. To this aim our work with DWP Job centre plus and Education services tries to provide opportunities to Refugees and Asylum Seekers who will be able to make a valuable contribution to the city in areas of skill shortage. The City Council currently directly supports over 50 families and 60 singles who are "Interim Cases" These are people who made their applications prior to April 2000 and therefore continue to be supported by Local Authorities.
