Suffolk approach to supporting Syrian refugees Allison Coleman Equalities Lead Adviser Suffolk County Council

Suffolk Public Sector Leaders - SPSL

SPSL response Joint recognition of the plight of the Syrian refugees by SPSL members September 2015 agreed Suffolk should offer to take people Multi-agency Syrian Refugee Resettlement Task and Finish Group created Further discussion at October and November 2015 SPSL meetings

Joint SPSL agreement Take up to 200 Syrian refugees Predominantly in the greater Ipswich area: Access to existing support services Access to experienced health professionals Share any costs arising above Home Office grant

Syrian Refugee Resettlement Task and Finish Group Membership: Local authorities – education, housing, social care, communications, localities and partnerships, Health organisations – CCGs and Health Outreach NHS Voluntary and community sector organisations – Suffolk Refugee Support and Anglia Care Trust Faith sector – Deanery of Ipswich Department of Work & Pensions and Job Centre Plus Strategic Migration Partnership Police

Task and finish group planning Housing – private sector landlords via triangular tenancy arrangements with Anglia Care Trust Casework support – Suffolk Refugee Support year 1; tender process for years 2 to 5 Health – Health Outreach NHS initial assessments and immediate care; then support to access mainstream services Benefit claims – helpful to have advance conversations with DWP and Job Centre Plus Faith sector – contribution includes arranging befriending support and help acquiring items for houses Communications – involvement of lead from Comms Team working with colleagues across the Suffolk System and liaising with local media

Casework support Suffolk Refugee Support have employed a dedicated co- ordinator and extended the hours of two casework support staff Working with Anglia Care Trust re getting properties ready for families; acquiring furniture and other household items Page on website with requests for specific items needed; SCC Customer Service Team will handle phone offers of help Will be the link with all services the families need to access Task and finish group there to help address any knotty issues