Application Registration Card (ARC)

Children/young people

Detention

  • I am scared of being detained. My friend has been detained. How can Scottish Refugee Council help me?

    It is very important to find a legal representative who can give you advice about your asylum case and detention as soon as possible after you arrive in Scotland.  We can provide a list of legal representatives in Glasgow or Edinburgh but cannot provide legal advice. 

    You may want to give copies of your documents and your legal representative’s contact details to a friend or trusted person so that if you are detained, they can contact him or her on your behalf. 

    Organisations that can help

    The following organisations provide practical advice and support if you are worried about being detained and can also identify legal representatives:

    The Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees (GCWR)

    GCWR provides support and advice on a number of asylum issues, including detention and removal.

    Find out more about GCWR by contacting Margaret Woods or call 07870 286 632.

    The Unity Centre

    The Centre provides support for asylum seekers, especially if you face being detained or being forcibly removed.  They are located near to the Home Office reporting centre in Glasgow and offer a check-in service that allows you to sign in before you report to the Home Office.

    Find out more about  the Unity Centre on their website

    Scottish Detainee Visitors (SDV)

    SDV is an independent charity providing social, emotional and practical support to those detained in Scotland, mainly in Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre.

    Find out more about SDV on their website

    Bail for Immigration Detainees (BID)

    BID is an independent charity that believes that asylum seekers should be protected from detention.  They can help you apply for bail (conditional release) if you are detained. All detainees have the right to apply for bail if they have been in the UK for more than seven days.

    Find out more about BID on their website

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Get involved in your community

Health

Home Office (NASS) accommodation

  • I have received a letter from the Home Office (UK Border Agency) informing me that my current accommodation provider – Glasgow City Council – will no longer be providing me with support. What should I do?

    Updated Tuesday, 25 January 2011

    You have received this letter because on Friday, Nov 5, 2010, the Home Office (UK Border Agency) sent Glasgow City Council a 'notice of termination' on its contract to supply housing to people seeking asylum who have been dispersed to Glasgow. This means that Glasgow City Council will no longer provide housing to people seeking asylum.

    Latest progress

    January 2011

    Glasgow City Council (GCC) and the Home Office (UKBA) have agreed to extend the housing contract for asylum seekers by two months; it will therefore not be terminated on 2 February 2011.

    The aim is to transfer the contract so that no one will have to move accommodation and disruption will be minimised.

    November 2010

    In November a meeting took place with city council officials and representatives of organisations that work with refugees and asylum seekers, including Scottish Refugee Council, to discuss the process for transferring the UK Border Agency housing contract from Glasgow City Council to another provider.

    All participants expressed a desire to ensure that the contract is transferred as smoothly as possible, ideally without the need for anyone currently living in Glasgow City Council to have to move.

    We do not yet know when you will be expected to move or who will take over responsibility for housing the people that will be affected. However, if you are asked to move the Home Office must find you suitable alternative accommodation.

    What currently we know about the contracts

    While we are aware that there have been reports about this matter in the newspapers and through online networks throughout the last weeks, unfortunately we are unable to provide any official update until we receive information directly from the UK Border Agency. We do know that:

    • the contract was due to terminate on 2 February 2011 but has now been extended by two months, and the Home Office should attempt to find alternative accommodation within that time period;
    • you should be given 14 days notice before you are expected to move; and
    • if you have children at school,  the Home Office should make every attempt to provide you with alternative accommodation within a three mile radius of your current accommodation.

    Where to get more information

    We will provide more information on our website as soon as it is available. Meanwhile you can contact the Home Office on 0141 555 1533 or 0141 555 1553 and Glasgow City Council to ensure that your personal circumstances are taken into consideration.

    At this stage we do not recommend that you come to our office for more information. The Home Office has informed us that the letter you have been sent is general information.

    Due to the number of people possibly involved we are unlikely to be able to offer an appointment to everyone. We will focus on any people that are vulnerable or that require help because their issues are complex.

    Further updates

    When further information is available we will be able to offer advice on how we can best work with people affected by the changes. We do recommend that you act upon any further concrete information quickly.

    Please remember that accommodation offered by the Home Office is on a no choice basis and if you do not move, your accommodation support may end or be put on hold (suspended).

    Read more in our latest news section on developments in this situation. We will be updating our website as and when we learn more from UK Border Agency.

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  • I am currently living in accommodation provided by the Home Office. Can I move to live with my friend or family member in another city or area of the UK?

    Yes, you can request to move in with a friend or family member who lives in another area. However, if you want to live with someone in a different city or another part of the UK, your immigration case will need to be transferred and you will need to report in a different region.

    If you live in a part of the UK that requires you to obtain permission from the Home Office to move, you should not move before receiving written permission from them.

    Moving without permission could have an effect on your asylum claim and could result in any cash support you receive being stopped.

    If you are not sure whether or not you require written permission from the Home Office before moving, seek advice from your nearest refugee agency.

    Advice leaflet

    Our advice leaflet produced with Refugee Council outlines:

    • how moving may affect the cash support you receive from the Home Office
    • what you should consider before moving
    • how to request permission from the Home Office to live with a family member or a friend
    • what documents are required to support your request
    • how we can help you

    Read the Refugee Council's advice leaflet (80.1Kb, PDF)

    Read the advice leaflet in a different language on the Refugee Council website

    Close FAQ

  • I am currently living in accommodation provided by the Home Office. Can I move so that I can live with my friend or family member in Scotland?

    Yes, but there are several things you should consider before doing so. 

    If you are currently receiving both accommodation and cash support from the Home Office and you wish to leave that accommodation and live with family or a friend, you must tell the Home Office before moving.

    If you are staying in initial accommodation provided by the Home Office, you should also tell your accommodation provider. Failing to do so may result in the Home Office stopping the cash support you receive.

    Advice leaflet

    Our advice leaflet, produced with other refugee agencies, outlines:

    • how moving may affect the cash support you receive from the Home Office
    • what you should consider before moving
    • how to request permission from the Home Office to live with a family member or a friend
    • what documents are required to support your request
    • how we can help you

    Read the Refugee Council's advice leaflet (80.1Kb, PDF)

    Read the advice leaflet in a different language on Refugee Council website

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Homeless/destitution

  • I am homeless. How can Scottish Refugee Council help me?

    If you are waiting for your Section 4 support to be approved and you have no other means to support yourself, we may be able to help you with charitable support, such as food packages. This charitable support is only a short-term solution and we strongly advise that you discuss your long-term options with your legal representative.

    Contact us

    To speak to one of our advisers about this, come to our office to make an appointment or call 0800 085 6087 (free from landlines, not mobiles).

    Homeless services

    There are several organisations that may be able to help you with accommodation and food if you do not have a place to live.

    Positive Action in Housing

    The charity Positive Action in Housing offers advice, information and support if you are facing homelessness. Find out more on their website or call them on 0141 353 2220.

    Free food at Unity World Café

    Every Tuesday the Unity Centre's café offers free food for people seeking asylum who are destitute or receiving Section 4 support at the Lansdowne Church Hall on 416 Great Western Road, G4 9HZ (near Solly’s African shop and Kelvinbridge underground station).

    Call them on 0141 427 1959 for more information.

    The Glasgow Homeless Information Pages

    The Glasgow Homeless Information Pages provides information about where to get emergency help if you are homeless in Glasgow.

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Housing

How we can help/our services

  • I understand you are facing funding cuts. How will this affect the help you can offer me?

    Along with other refugee agencies across the UK we have been informed by the UK Border Agency that there would be major cuts in funding to a number of our frontline advice services from 1 April 2011. 

    We remain committed to offering the best service possible to people seeking asylum and refugees in Scotland and will continue to work collaboratively with other service providers to ensure that asylum seekers get the support they need

    Note: All UKBA funding for Refugee Integration Employment Service (RIES) services ended on 1st October 2011, shortly after implementation of a 60 per cent cut to the funding of One Stop Services through which ‘move-on’ integration services for refugees are provided.

    Key impacts on services have been severe:

    • We can no longer provide any RIES advice and casework support, and OSS capacity has significantly reduced, affecting our ability to provide ‘move-on’ support to refugees.
    • We can now only offer basic information and signposting, and most clients will be referred to a local advice agency where these exist.
    •  We will also rely much more on volunteers to undertake basic tasks, such as JSA applications and ‘move-on’ briefings.
    • We will have some capacity to maintain volunteer mentors and advocates at a reduced level. However, volunteers require support and some temporary resource towards this will run out in early 2012.
    •  There will be country/region based difference in infrastructure around move-on and integration work. However, any assumption that move-on advice will be ‘taken over’ by any local voluntary services is unrealistic. In many areas, refugee community organisations (RCOs) do not deliver advice services at all, and would struggle to fill this gap.
    • RCOs are also already stretched to the limit attempting to meet the needs of destitute asylum seekers. Advice services that do exist are already overstretched, and cannot currently see everyone who has a need.

    Read the ASP Integration Advice OSS Service Cuts 2011 for more information (177Kb, PDF)

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  • I want to find out how to get a student, work, visitor or spousal visa. Can Scottish Refugee Council help me?

    We are a charitable organisation that provides advice and support to asylum seekers and refugees living in Scotland.  Unfortunately we cannot provide immigration advice.  However, you may wish to consult the UK Border Agency's UK Visas website which outlines requirements and eligibility criteria. 

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  • I want to find out how to support someone going through the asylum process. Is there training that can help me?

    We offer a variety of training courses, including an introduction to working with asylum seekers and refugees. This particular course explores issues facing refugees and people seeking asylum today and highlights current legislation and entitlements.

    Find out more about our current training courses

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  • Can Scottish Refugee Council help me apply for British citizenship?

    Unfortunately we cannot provide advice on applying for citizenship or on registering your child as a British citizen.   

    Applying for British citizenship is a complex and extremely costly process; fees are generally non-refundable. Before making an application for citizenship or to register your child as a British citizen, you should speak to your legal representative.

    We can give you a list of legal representatives that work in the field of immigration. These details are correct as of October, 2010.

    Read the list of legal representatives in Glasgow (257Kb, PDF)

    Read the list of legal representatives in Edinburgh (143Kb, PDF)

    Advice leaflet

    Our advice leaflet identifies what you should consider before applying for British citizenship and where to get help.

    Read our advice leaflet (30Kb, PDF)

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  • How can Scottish Refugee Council help me?

    Who we are

    We are a charitable organisation that provides free advice, information and assistance to refugees and those seeking asylum in Scotland.

    We are not part of the UK Government or Home Office.  We provide a confidential and independent service.

    What we do

    We can provide help and advice on areas like money and housing, identify your rights and entitlements as you go through the asylum process, explain important documents and provide information on refugee and other community organisations.

    We may also refer you to another organisation or agency if we feel that they could provide more appropriate help for your problem or specific needs.

    Legal advice

    We cannot provide legal advice but we can direct you to qualified legal representatives working in asylum law in Scotland.  We can also advise on entitlements and the meaning of laws.

    Although we can give advice, we cannot change decisions made about your claim by the Home Office.

    Read our How We Can Help leaflet (122.5Kb, PDF)

    Read our how we can help leaflet in another language 

    Client Charter

    Our Client Charter outlines your rights when using our services and what you can expect from us. It also outlines our commitment to our clients and identifies how our caseworkers can help.

    Read our Client Charter (144Kb, PDF)

    Read our Client Charter in another language.

    Close FAQ

  • I came to your office for advice/help. Why have I been told that I cannot be seen immediately?

    Our advice and advocacy services are very busy and sometimes see up to 100 people per day. Therefore, generally you must have an appointment to speak with one of our advisers.

    You can call our advice line to make an appointment on 0800 085 6087 (free from landlines, not mobiles).

    Waiting times

    If you come to our office for advice and you do not have an appointment, we may be able to see you if it is an emergency but you will probably have to wait for a long time. 

    If you have an urgent deadline we will try and see you as quickly as possible.  However, if we require more information about your case, we may schedule an appointment for another day and ask you to bring the additional information or obtain evidence from your legal representative.

    If our office is extremely busy, unfortunately we will not be able to see you on the same day and will need to make you an appointment for another day. 

    We will listen to your issues but must see people with scheduled appointments first and then decide if we can see more people based on their particular needs. 

    Read our how we can help leaflet to find out about services we offer (124Kb, PDF)

    Read our how we can help leaflet in another language 

    Client Charter

    Our Client Charter outlines your rights when using our services and what you can expect from us.  It also outlines our commitment to our clients and identifies how our caseworkers can help.

    Read our Client Charter (144Kb, PDF)

    Read our Client Charter in another language

    Close FAQ

  • I don’t speak English. Will Scottish Refugee Council provide an interpreter when I see them for advice?

    If you need an interpreter, let us know this when you make your appointment with us.  We will then try to provide the right language support for your appointment.  You will not have to pay for the interpreter; we pay for this service. 

    Cancelling an appointment

    If you are not able to attend your appointment, it is important that you let us know in advance. If you are late or miss your appointment, we still have to pay the interpreter.  Please remember we are a charity with limited funds. 

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  • I want to improve my English. Can Scottish Refugee Council help me?

    We do not provide English language classes but you can find a list of language class providers on the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) website.

    Find out where you nearest language course is on the ESOL website

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Legal

Money and work

Refugee Week Scotland

  • How can Scottish Refugee Council support my arts project?

    We may be able to provide information and advice to ensure the integrity of your project and that it is factually accurate.

    If your arts project is specifically designed for participation asylum seeking asylum or refugees we may be able to identify relevant organisations. You may also wish to reference our list of refugee community organisations and integration networks.

    If you have an idea for an arts project but are unsure how to develop or implement the idea or need help contact our arts officer.

    We have limited funding and it is very rare that we could offer financial assistance. However, we are sometimes able to provide support and advice on accessing alternative funding streams. 

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  • Are there any resources available for schools?

    Life After Iraq

    Life After Iraq is a photographic exhibition commissioned by us.  The exhibition of work is by award-winning photojournalist Angela Catlin and writer Billy Briggs, who travelled to Syria to document the lives of some of the millions of ordinary Iraqis living there after fleeing their homeland.

    The exhibition gives an intimate insight into the lives of Iraqi refugees who have come to Scotland seeking safety.  The exhibition and an accompanying workshop is available to visit secondary schools at a cost of £150 plus travel expenses.

    Simple Acts

    Simple Acts is a campaign that we run to engage with primary and secondary schools. 

    Simple Acts is about inspiring individuals to use small, everyday actions to change perceptions of refugees.   It consists of 20 actions that can be done by anyone and that encourage us to learn and do more with refugees. 

    Information to support the campaign, including educational toolkits and lesson plans, is available from the Simple Acts website.

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  • How can I get involved in Refugee Week Scotland?

    There are a number of ways you can get involved in Refugee Week Scotland, June 18-24, 2012:

    • Organise your own event.  Find information, inspiration and helpful tips on the Refugee Week website
      Our Scottish Refugee Week website will be live in April. Watch this space!
    • Contact our arts officer with details about your event, questions or ideas you may have for an event for the Refugee Week 2012 Programme.
    • Donate.  Supporting us financially enables us to extend the scope and achievements of Refugee Week.  Find out more about donating. 
    • Attend Refugee Week Scotland events.  Last year there were over 100 events during Refugee Week Scotland; their success depends not only on great organisers but also great attendees. Spread the word, bring your friends and enjoy Refugee Week Scotland.
    • Our Refugee Week programme will be available in May.
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Research and policy

Section 4

  • What is Section 4 support and how do I get it?

    Section 4 is short-term support provided by the Home Office if your application for asylum has been refused, and your appeals have been unsuccessful. 

    Normally, the Home Office expects you to either leave the UK voluntarily, or they will make arrangements to remove you. However if you are unable to leave the UK immediately and you would otherwise be homeless or without the money to buy food (that is you are destitute), you may be eligible for Section 4 support while you are preparing to return to your country.

    Criteria

    There are strict criteria for this and you must prove that you are eligible.  We can offer advice on this issue but are not responsible for any decisions about whether or not you should get the support.

    If you are granted Section 4 support, you are entitled to accommodation and weekly support to the value of £35. You will be given your weekly support through an automated card payment system, called an ‘Azure’ payment card.

    The Azure card is to be used to buy food, toiletries, clothing, cleaning items, or any other items sold in certain shops which have agreed to accept the card.

    Qualifying and applying for Section 4 support

    We can help you apply for Section 4 support. Alternatively your legal representative, local law centre, Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) or refugee community organisation may also be able to help you to apply.

    In order to be eligible for Section 4, you must provide evidence showing that you are destitute, meaning that do not have accommodation or money to buy food. For example:

    • you could provide the letter from the Home Office stating you will have to leave the accommodation provided by them within a specified timeframe, making you homeless; or
    • a letter from the person or organisation that provided food and accommodation to you, indicating that they can no longer do so.

    You must also show that you meet at least one of the following five criteria:

    • You are taking reasonable steps to leave the UK. For example, you may have agreed to return voluntarily by asking for assistance from the International Organization for Migration, but you cannot leave immediately because you need a travel document.
    • You have applied for judicial review to challenge the refusal of your asylum application (in Scotland, you only need to show that you have applied for judicial review).
    • You are unable to travel because there is no safe route available to return. According to the Home Office, there is currently no country to which this applies. Our advisers or your legal representative will be able to tell you if this has changed.
    • You are unable to leave the UK because you are unfit to travel. For example, you have a specific illness or are in late pregnancy. This criterion is very strict and you must have a written statement from a doctor stating that you are “unfit to travel”. Most medical problems will not be considered serious enough.
    • Fresh asylum claim/human rights claim. Your legal representative has lodged a fresh claim for asylum or a late appeal. The claim will need to have been already sent and you will need to provide copy of all the papers that were sent.

    Read the Refugee Council's leaflet on the Section 4 Azure payment card (93.8Kb, PDF)

    Read about the Azure payment card in another language on Refugee Council’s multilingual site

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  • Do I need to sign up for voluntary return to receive Section 4 support?

    No. Voluntary return is not mandatory and is only one of five requirements. You only need to fulfil one of these requirements. In order to be eligible for Section 4 you must provide evidence showing that you are destitute, meaning that do not have a place to stay or money to buy food.

    Read our FAQ identifying what criteria you must meet to apply for Section 4 support

    If your application for asylum is refused, you may be told by the Home Office that applying for voluntary return to your country of origin is your only option.  If you wish to apply for voluntary return, we can provide advice or direct you to Refugee Action's Choices Assisted Voluntary Return Service, which is based at our Cadogan Square office. You can also call them on 0808 800 0007.

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Support us

  • How can I support the work that Scottish Refugee Council does?

    Donate

    Raising funds is vital to ensuring we’re able to continue supporting those seeking asylum and refugees in Scotland.  And you have the option to make one-off or more regular donations.

    Make a donation today

    Volunteer

    Volunteering with us is a great way to support the work we do.  There are a variety of ways to get involved and use your existing skills and develop new ones.

    Our volunteers have a diversity of interests and backgrounds but a shared desire to help. 

    Find out more about volunteering with us

    Campaign

    Take action!  Join an existing campaign, sign a pledge, write to your MP about issues affecting asylum seekers and refugees, lobby for change or start your own campaign. 

    Find out more about campaigning

    Membership

    We are a membership organisation.  By becoming a member, not only do you support our work but you also help us to highlight issues facing refugees and those seeking asylum, making us a stronger campaigning force.

    Find out more about becoming a member

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Women

  • I am a woman seeking asylum in Scotland. How can Scottish Refugee Council help me?

    We can provide help and advice on areas like money and housing, your rights and entitlements as you go through the asylum process and health issues. We can also help to explain important documents and provide information on refugee community organisations and other local groups.

    Find out about other services for women

    If you are experiencing violence or abuse, please speak to us and we will try to help or refer you to a specialist agency that can assist you.  If you prefer to speak to a female adviser, we will do our best to arrange this.

    Advice leaflets

    Our advice leaflet highlights where to get information, support and help in Scotland if you are experiencing violence or have mental health concerns.

    Read our violence and health advice leaflet for women (184.5Kb, PDF)

    Read our violence and health advice leaflet for women in another language

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  • I am a woman seeking asylum in Scotland and want to meet other women in my community. Can Scottish Refugee Council help me?

    If you want to meet other women living in the Glasgow area and make new friends, you can join a women’s group. Some of the groups you may wish to consider are detailed below.

    Unity Women’s Drop In

    This group offers friendly and practical support in a comfortable women-only space.

    The Unity Women's Project drop-in runs from Monday from 12 noon to 5pm on Mondays. Drop ins take place in Kinning Park Complex 43 Cornwall Street Glasgow G41 1BA. 

    Read their blog to find out more about their project 

    You can also find out more about their drop-in on the Unity website or call 0141 427 7992.

    Mother Theresa Albanian and Women Across the World Group

    The group is open to all women and children are also welcome; a crèche is provided.  Lunch is provided and a contribution towards travel expenses is also offered. The group meets every Thursday at Garnethill Multicultural Centre, 21 Rose Street, Glasgow, G3 6RE, between 12.30 pm and 2.30 pm.   

    Contact the Maryhill Integration Network (including Central and West Integration Network) for more information on 0141 946 9106.

    Karibu

    Karibu is an organisation offering advice, support and information to African women. They are based at 48 Albion Street (third floor), Glasgow, G1 1LH.

    For more information, email them (Charlotte Atta, Development Worker) or call 0141 237 7926.

    Women’s community groups

    There are a number of community organisations that you can get involved with. In addition to providing an opportunity to socialise and share your experiences, these groups offer services, information and support for women. They also work to ensure women’s voices are heard concerning issues and policies affecting their lives. 

    Our community development team supports the Refugee Women’s Strategy Group, a section of the Scottish Refugee Policy Forum. This group works together to bring about change and influence policy affecting asylum-seeking and refugee women. If you are interested in getting involved with the Refugee Women's Strategy Group please email our community development team or call 0141 248 9799.

    Find out about other community organisations

    Find out about other organisations providing services and advice for women

    Women’s morning at Scottish Refugee Council

    We also hold women’s information and advice mornings at our office at 5 Cadogan Square in Glasgow city centre.  Keep an eye on our website for details of the next one.

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