The Sub-Committee noted that in early December 2020 that the Home Office had placed in excess of 400 asylum seekers in 3 hotels in the Borough as part of an initiative called Operation Oak which was a programme designed to disperse asylum seekers around the country between December 2020 and June 2021. The arrival of this group had been unexpected, and therefore unplanned and required intensive input from Council Departments and voluntary agencies to provide appropriate support in order to meet the borough’s statutory obligations. 

In addition, the Sub-Committee noted a briefing note that provided (i) details of the context and background to Operation Oak, (ii) information on how the Council is responding to the arrival of the asylum seekers, where funding gaps exist, and the structures in place for communication and reporting to ensure efforts are properly co-ordinated. The main points highlighted in the discussion may be summarised as follows:

The Sub-Committee:

v  Was informed that (i) the majority of asylum-seekers do not have the right to work in the United Kingdom and so must rely on state support; (ii) housing is provided, but asylum-seekers cannot choose where it is, and it is often ‘hard to let’ properties which renters do not want to live in; and (iii) support is available for secondary language education.

v  Noted that the Home Office has contracted management of this accommodation in the Borough to Clearsprings and both the asylum seekers housed there and local agencies have been speaking out about the issues associated in housing people in such temporary accommodation e.g. the huge strain on accommodation; quality and quantity of food and drink provided to the asylum seekers and that they are not getting access to the services that they are entitled to.

v  Indicated that it wanted to know what the Council could do to help these asylum seekers with regards to mental health; help for schools in terms of uniform grants; where these individuals will be housed and what access would they have to primary care.

v  Commented that with regards to access to primary care they wanted to see the establishment of Care Navigators as in Newham to work to facilitate integrated working across the Primary Care Teams, GP’s, and other relevant Health; Education and Social Care Professionals to ensure care delivery is of a high quality.

v  Noted the extra support being provided by the Borough’s Early Help Hub (EHH) works with asylum seekers and their families, the EHH checks if an asylum seeker is already receiving assistance by another agency, what support is being provided.

v  Agreed that whilst the Government has stated that asylum seekers children are entitled to the same local authority support as any other children for example to (i) receive the care that they need to thrive; (ii) receive the support they need to fulfil their educational and other outcomes; and (iii) have access to the care, services and support they need. It is important to ensure that the Home Office maintains its commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of asylum seekers children.

v  Noted that under Section 98 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, if an individual can show they are destitute when they first apply for asylum, they will be provided with ‘Initial Accommodation’ (IA) while the Home Office assesses their eligibility for longer-term (Section 95) support. The providers of IA are contractually obliged to offer three meals a day, supply toiletries and bedding and provide transport to medical and related appointments.

v  Noted the need to work on solutions around safeguarding and the need to work on supporting these individuals through an established process especially for single men as there a significant number of such individuals currently amongst the asylum seekers.

v  Whilst expressing concern that there had been outbreaks of Covid-19 asylum seekers housed in the temporary accommodation was pleased to note that (i) most asylum seekers are registered with their general practitioner services and are able to access care; (ii) the vaccine will be available for asylum seekers under 40; and (iii) the Councils Environmental Health Team has worked on ensure that the accommodation was Covid Secure.

v  Commented that there was a need to assess all new arrivals and to agree what further support can be offered e.g. education support; access to mental health services and provision for 16- to 19-year-olds.

Accordingly the Sub-Committee

1.    Noted the contents of the briefing note; and

2.    Agreed to consider the issue’s raised in more detail at a future meeting.