Support & Advice Services
We have a team of caseworkers who give advice from offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow. They support refugees and asylum seekers through the complexities of the UK asylum system as well as give advice on the wide range of things that people need to know when they first arrive in Scotland, such as where to get clothing, food, access to housing and medical care. We also have staff trained in specalist areas (see below). On average our caseworkers conduct 20,000 client contacts a year.
Family Reunion
Often, when people are forced to flee their country in fear of their lives they become separated from their children, husbands or wives. The family reunion service works with agencies such as the Red Cross and UNHCR to organise for separated family members to travel legally to the UK and be reunited with their loved ones. Due to the complexities and long time-scales involved in family reunion work we can only provide this service to a limited number of people each year.
Housing & Welfare
Specialist Housing and Welfare staff provide advice on housing options and welfare benefits to ensure that people can make informed choices before the transition from asylum support to mainstream support.
Working in partnership with local authorities and housing providers these staff ensure that refugees understand the legal aspects of tenancy and tenant’s rights and responsibilities. We conduct approximately 1500 Housing and Welfare client contacts a year.
Although Glasgow-based we conduct regular Housing and Welfare advice sessions in Edinburgh where refugees can seek advice.
Education & Employment
Details regarding the Education and Employment department will be updated soon. Click for advice and guidance on education, training and employment options.
Women's Group
The Women's Group was set up in recognition that there are particular issues that effect female refugees. The group meets every Tuesday in Glasgow. Click here to read more about the group.
Important Information
Refugees and those seeking asylum can call Scottish Refugee Council’s free advice line on 0800 085 6087. This line is available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9:30 to 16:00 (It closes for lunch between 13:00 and 14:00) and Wednesday from 13:00 to 16:00. Important note: We are happy to help any agency looking for advice but please call the main office number 0141 248 9799.
It is important to note that Scottish Refugee Council is not a government organisation, and may not be able to change decisions made by local authorities or the Border and Immigration Agency. We also do not own any accommodation, but will advise on accommodation options before and after a decision on an asylum claim has been received.
You can view basic advice for refugees and asylum seekers by clicking here. This section has been translated into nine languages. If you can't find advice in the language you are looking for call us to make an appointment and we will try to organise an interpreter.
If you would like more information on the issues dealt with by our support & advice services click here to look at our Information section.