A Westminster Hall debate on the ‘Support for pupils’ education during school closures’ – Refugee Council’s note.

Families we work with are often traumatised by their experiences, don’t speak the English language well or at all and are not familiar with the UK systems and processes, including in relation to education. As such we often support them with the process of enrolling their children into school, organising school uniforms, books and other school essentials. The experience of preparing a child to attend school varies between refugee and asylum-seeking families. Those differences arise from access to public support and services, including financial support which historically has been limited for families on asylum support, especially those on section 4 asylum support (e.g. access to free school meals,[1] which only recently became available following a successful legal challenge[2]).

[1] Tab 6 on the Refugee Council’s website: https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/latest/news/changes-to-home-office-asylum-resettlement-policy-and-practice-in-response-to-covid-19/

[2] http://www.matthewgold.co.uk/following-threat-of-judicial-review-the-government-has-agreed-to-continue-the-extension-of-free-school-meals-for-families-with-no-recourse-to-public-funds-whilst-it-considers-a-permanent-change-to-the/