Strategic Migration Partnership: Health, Housing & NRPF 

The Strategic Migration Partnership has established two networks which sit under the Migrant Worker Steering Group to focus on the health and housing needs which are particular to migrants in the region. This page details the activities, support and resources available to agencies in the region which support migrants presenting with health and housing needs.

Health group

The group has been working in partnership with colleagues in the NHS, translating and interpreting agencies from across the region and front line advice agencies to produce Translating and Interpreting Guidelines for use in the health sector, as there is a body of evidence which shows that while people can learn English on arrival in the UK, or may have acquired it prior to arrival, in the stressful setting of a medical emergency, competent English speakers find their language capacity reduces. Additionally, health professionals need to be sure that their advice is clearly understood in order for patients to be able to make informed choices about their health care.

The document is now available by following this link:
Commissioning framework for language support

It is also a helpful resource to those not in the NHS, but with a passion for making equality of access to healthcare a reality. Please follow this link for more information: Letter to partners 

For more information about this and other health related migrant issues, please contact Sue Hay T: 07920 257964 E: sue.hay@eelga.gov.uk

Housing group

This group has been established as the East of England Migrant Housing Hub and is made up of housing professionals from registered social landlords, local authorities, environmental health officers (who are responsible for housing standards in houses in multiple occupation) and third sector agencies who are helping foreign nationals presenting with housing needs.

Members of the group are invited to attend regular housing related events and are sent bulletins as and when there is information, data and practice to be shared. To become a member of the hub or to find out more information about this and other housing related migrant issues, please contact Louise Gooch T: 01284 729438 M: 07834 129582  E: louise.gooch@eelga.gov.uk

No recourse to public funds (NRPF)

Some migrant workers from A10 countries, those who have had their asylum claim turned down, spouses who have joined partners with limited leave to remain in the UK and overseas students are not entitled to welfare benefits or public housing if they are homeless or destitute as they are deemed to have 'no recourse to public funds'. However social services departments may have a duty to provide services (including accommodation) to people with NRPF who meet thresholds for support under community care or human rights legislation.

A national and regional NRPF network exists to help agencies which are seeing people with NRPF present for services. Please follow this link to the 'What we do - NRPF' to find out about the East of England group. Please follow the link on the right hand panel for details of the national NRPF network, and below is the last year's worth of their bulletins.

NRPF Network - December 2011 Bulletin.pdf
NRPF Network - October 2011 Bulletin.pdf
NRPF Network - August 2011 Bulletin.pdf
NRPF Network - June 2011 Bulletin.pdf
NRPF Network - April 2011 Bulletin.pdf
NRPF Network - February 2011 Bulletin.pdf
NRPF Network - December 2010 Bulletin.pdf

Domestic violence protection for those who are NRPF

A new policy from UKBA starts from 1 April 2012. It will provide the means for them to access public funds while they make a claim to stay in the UK permanently under the Domestic Violence Immigration Rule. Please follow this link to read how this will work in detail: Domestic violence protection for migrants.pdf
   
Libyan students
There are a number of Libyan nationals studying at UK universities being supported by the Libyan government. During the unrest in Libya, with Libyan assets frozen by the UK government, some were presenting as destitute. Please follow this link to guidance on what to do to support any such presentations from the NRPF network: Guidance - Libyan nationals experiencing temporary loss of funds (2).pdf
UKBA has announced that the special arrangements made for Libyan visa holders have been revoked from 1 February 2012 and all new visa applications will be assessed against the standard immigration rules. Please follow this link to read the announcement from UKBA: Libyan advice from UKBA from 1 Feb 2012   

Guidance on assessing and supporting children and families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF)

The guidance outlines the process of assessing eligibility for support and the assessment of need for families with NRPF within the current legal context.  It addresses issues that need to be taken into consideration in completing human rights assessments on families with NRPF.

The guidance also considers common scenarios in detail, including: families fleeing domestic violence; families that have overstayed their visa; safeguarding duties of local authorities; EEA nationals; expectant and nursing mothers; voluntary return and leaving care provisions.

Please follow this link to read the guidance for local authorities in full:
NRPF assessment guidance for local authorities