NACCOM ADVOCACY STRATEGY Over the last 6 months, we have begun developing advocacy objectives to: Reduce risks of destitution Call for an end to destitution These two aspects represent short term and long term goals… The policy of destitution which is embedded in the existing system is hugely damaging. Whilst as a network we are committed to alleviating the effects of destitution, we do not want to indefinitely prop the system up. But at the same time, there are problems within the current system that, if amended, could reduce the impact of destitution for people that we are currently, or may in the future be, supporting.

NACCOM ADVOCACY STRATEGY Questions we have asked in the process of developing our strategic approach… What are the most relevant goals that could alleviate destitution amongst people with no recourse to public funds? What is achievable? What level of support is there from NACCOM members and individuals directly affected by destitution? What scope is there for partnering with others outside of NACCOM to achieve shared objectives?

NACCOM ADVOCACY STRATEGY 1. What is relevant to the alleviation of destitution? Destitution could be reduced and/or prevented through changes at a number of stages within the existing system, including: legislative reform improved access to good quality legal advice and interpreters more resource/support (both for projects working with people at the end of the system, to improve capacity, and for the Home Office, to prevent delays and wrongful decisions). Through such changes, confidence in the asylum system would be restored and those seeking protection would be shown dignity and see their human rights upheld.

NACCOM ADVOCACY STRATEGY 2. What is achievable? Two key parts to this question: Resource- (how can we evidence what we want to say) The political landscape: Of the 118 constituencies across the NACCOM network: 24 Conservative/DUP MPs 94 Opposition MPs When we are talking about making changes in the next 3 years this requires us to think strategically about who our decision makers are and what influence they have.

NACCOM ADVOCACY STRATEGY 3. What level of support is there from NACCOM members and individuals directly affected by destitution? Through discussions with Action Group members and trustees, we identified key priorities, and have begun looking at ways of evidencing needs and communicating with decision makers. We also used this year’s annual survey as a way of identifying trends and the capacity within the network to gather evidence

NACCOM ADVOCACY STRATEGY 4. What scope is there for partnering with others outside of NACCOM to achieve shared objectives? With support from Mike Kaye, we have engaged in discussions with: Asylum Matters British Red Cross Refugee Action Refugee Council These helped us identify where there are gaps in the sector, and where NACCOM can add value to existing work.

NACCOM ADVOCACY STRATEGY Short term goals Addressing delays within the asylum system. Stopping or amending changes to support regulations contained in the 2016 Immigration Act; Lengthening the move on period for newly recognised refugees; Increasing statutory resource for ‘move on’ support; Introducing a national integration strategy for all refugees in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (as in Scotland); Granting asylum seekers permission to work. We then looked at goals that could be achieved in the short term (i.e. the next 3 years) to reduce the impact of destitution;

NACCOM ADVOCACY STRATEGY Long term goals Introducing a system of end-to-end asylum support for all who need it. Improving the rights and access to accommodation and support for all migrants with NRPF. Secondly, we looked at goals towards an end to destitution altogether; In the consultation process it was very clear that all members support these goals and want to work towards them. However it was recognised that it is not realistic to make these short-term goals for our network. Part of the role of the Strategic Alliance on Migrant Destitution

NACCOM ADVOCACY STRATEGY When looking at which short-term goals to prioritise, several key themes emerged: The majority of members now offer support to homeless refugees as well as destitute refused asylum seekers. Delays in decision making and lack of access to legal advice are preventing destitute refused asylum seekers from re-engaging with the asylum system. Changes to support regulations - if implemented- could have a big impact on the numbers and specific needs of those facing destitution. Members are generally reliant on grants for income although some are accessing statutory support.

NACCOM ADVOCACY STRATEGY Key priorities identified amongst members over the next 3 years are: Increasing the length of move-on period for, and support available to, newly recognised refugees. Increasing members’ access to statutory funding where appropriate. Supporting changes to policies and procedures within the asylum system that lead to destitution (including regulations not yet enacted). Changes in these areas would both improve the experiences of a significant proportion of people currently facing homelessness because of the asylum system, and would also improve members’ capacity and resources. When we are looking at achievable aims that could both reduce destitution amongst service users and free up resources and/or increase capacity amongst member projects, It is felt that committing to advocacy goals around: Delays with decision making Access to support Refugee move on would be worthwhile. Before more detail is known about regulations, it is felt that gathering evidence of the needs amongst families, and delivering advocacy training to promote rights and access would also be worthwhile.

NACCOM ADVOCACY STRATEGY What next? There are also sector wide goals that we plan to support such as: Granting asylum seekers permission to work Improving quality of Home Office decision making Reducing barriers to healthcare amongst refused asylum seekers We are also developing a Legal Advice Sub group, to support legal advice provision in areas that NACCOM Members are based.

NACCOM ADVOCACY STRATEGY What next? Recruiting members for the NACCOM Advocacy action group. Delivering training on key issues such as engaging with decision makers and advocating for support for families. Consulting members on how to gather evidence to support NACCOM campaigns. Supporting and resourcing members to carry out local advocacy actions. Engaging hosts in more collective advocacy actions. Supporting Sanctuary in Parliament (28th November). Developing an online system for data capture.

NACCOM ADVOCACY STRATEGY Q&A