The Home Office has published Integration Matters, a draft document for consultation on its strategy on refugee integration.
This new strategy builds on the policies set out in Full and equal citizens, published in 2002. It forms part of the work of the Government and other public bodies in promoting race relations and community cohesion. As there is already a strategy for refugee integration in Scotland and one is intended for Wales, this document is tailored to English circumstances.
A major part of the new strategy will be the piloting of a Strategic Upgrade of National Refugee Integration Services (Sunrise). Sunrise is a new approach, whereby each newly-recognised refugee who chooses to participate will work with a caseworker to produce a ‘Personal Integration Plan’.
The integration plan will be produced during the 28 days following receipt of refugee status and will include consideration of employment, housing and other needs.
The Sunrise programme, to be piloted in one region in 2005 with a schedule of national roll-out to follow if it is considered successful, will be delivered by the voluntary sector, working under contract to the Government.
The Government is inviting responses on the consultation document.
Responses should be sent by 20 October to:
Cilla Pegg
Immigration Nationality Directorate
6th Floor
Apollo House
36 Wellesley Road
Croydon CR9 3RR
The Refugee Council’s Agenda for Integration
The Refugee Council has published a policy paper on refugee integration, entitled Agenda for Integration. This document has been developed with a view to shaping emerging policy and practice on refugee integration, drawing on the Refugee Council’s experience of work with refugee communities, voluntary organisations and policy makers.
There are some important differences between the Government’s Integration Matters and the Refugee Council’s Agenda for Integration. Of considerable significance, particularly in current circumstances, is the Refugee Council’s emphasis on integration as a process beginning at the point of arrival, not when refugee status is granted.
