Further Links

General

Refugee Council

Provides information on all aspects of asylum and immigration matters, including welfare benefits, family reunion, identity and travel documents, education and training, housing legal issues and information about refugee community organisations. The Refugee Council Children’s Panel provides specialist advice to unaccompanied children who have claimed asylum. The service is based in London but its advisers travel around the UK. The Refugee Council has offices throughout the country - for further details go to the website at www.refugeecouncil.org.uk or contact the London head office on 020 7346 6700.

Scottish Refugee Council

The Scottish Refugee Council has offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow. See www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk or call 0800 085 6087.

Welsh Refugee Council

The Welsh Refugee Council is based in Cardiff. See www.welshrefugeecouncil.org or call 029 2048 9800.

Refugee Legal Centre

The Refugee Legal Centre provides legal advice and representation for those seeking protection under international and national Human Rights asylum law. See www.refugee-legal-centre.org.uk or contact the London office on 020 7780 3200.

Asylum Aid

Asylum Aid gives free legal advice about claiming asylum and, in some cases, legal representation. It has also recently established a Childrens Legal Team offering specialist legal representation to Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children. For telephone advice, call 020 7354 9624 (Mondays 2.00-4-30pm and Thursdays 10.00 – 12.30pm). To make an appointment call 020 7354 9631. For further information see www.asylumaid.org.uk.

Immigration Advisory Service

The Immigration and Advisory Service provides information, advice, and legal representation in some cases, in a wide range of immigration and asylum cases. It has offices throughout the UK. You can find out more from its website at www.iasuk.org or by calling its head office in London on 020 7967 1200.

Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI)

The JCWI offers free legal advice on immigration, nationality and asylum matters. For advice phone 020 7251 8706 (Tuesdays and Thursdays 2pm – 5pm), or see www.jcwi.org.uk

Community Legal Service Directory

This lists solicitors and other advisers who provide immigration advice, which in some cases will be free of charge. Public libraries have the local Community Legal Services Directory. Call 0845 345 4345 or see www.clsdirect.org.uk.

Immigration Law Practitioners Association

A professional association of lawyers and academics practising in or concerned about immigration, asylum and nationality law. Located in central London. See http://www.ilpa.org.uk/

National Register for Unaccompanied Children

A database capturing basic data from the BIA and local authorities on children in need arriving from abroad. See http://www.nruc.gov.uk/index.html

Voice

A voluntary organisation working and campaigning for young people and children in public care. Provide advocacy services as well as specialist advise and training services. See www.voiceyp.org or phone freephone 0808 800 5792 (Young Persons' advice line) or it's Head Office in London on 020 7833 5792.

Citizens Advice Bureau

The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free information and advice from over 3,000 locations, and by influencing policymakers. See http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk for further details.

Salusbury WORLD

Salusbury WORLD provides educational, social and emotional support for refugee children, and supports parents and the wider refugee community by providing home/school liaison, family workshops and outings, and also a comprehensive social advice service. See http://www.salusburyworld.org.uk/ for further details.

Education

Education Action International

Education Action International offers information, advice and guidance on education, training and employment for refugees, asylum seekers and those with other leave granted as a result of an asylum application. See wwww.education-action.org/advice or call 020 7426 5800

UKCISA: The Council for International Education

UKCISA offers advice to international students about issues including immigration, fees, financial hardship, welfare and finding legal advice. We cannot help with asylum claims but can offer advice about your fee status and whether you are eligible for Student Support. Ring the advice line for students (020 7107 9922, Mon - Fri 1-4pm) or see www.ukcisa.org.uk.

Learning and Skills Council (LSC)

The Learning and Skills Council is the funding body for further education in England. For information on entitlement to 'home' fees and free courses see the guidance on its website at www.lsc.gov.uk/providers/funding-policy..

Advisory Centre for Education (ACE)

Offers information about state education in England. They also offer free telephone advice on many subjects like exclusion from school, bullying, special educational needs and school admission appeals. Call the general advice line (Mon-Fri 10am-5pm) on 0808 800 5793, or see www.ace-ed.org.uk/

Student Support

England

For information about Student Support in England, go the Directgov website at www.direct.gov.uk and choose the Education and Learning option.

Wales

If you are studying in Wales, you can find information about financial support in further education and in higher education on the website of Student Finance Wales at www.studentfinancewales.co.uk.

Scotland

If you are in further education in Scotland, you can find information about the Education Maintenance Allowance at www.emascotland.com and about other types of funding on the website of the Scottish Executive at www.scotland.gov.uk/publications - choose 'Education' in the topic field and you will find the publication Helping you meet the cost of learning: Your Guide to Funding 2007 - 2008. You can find out about Student Support in higher education in Scotland from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland.

Northern Ireland

If you are on a further education course in Northern Ireland, you can find out more about the Education Maintenance Allowance at www.emani.gov.uk and about further education awards on the website of the Western Education and Library Board at www.welbni.org/Parent/third_awards.asp.

For information about Student Support for higher education in Northern Ireland, see the website for Student Finance Northern Ireland at www.studentfinanceni.co.uk.

General Support

National Children's Bureau

A National Children’s Bureau project aimed at practitioners working with unaccompanied asylumseeking and refugee children.See www.ncb.org.uk/arc

British Association for Adoption and Fostering

Has publications, advice services and training for foster carers who look after refugee and asylum seeking children.See www.baaf.org.uk

Refugee Access

A website for asylum seekers, refugees and agencies working in Yorkshire, Humberside and the Liverpool area. See www.refugeeaccess.info

Asylum Support Appeals Project (ASAP)

ASAP is a charity that aims to prevent destitution amongst asylum seekers through the provision of free legal representation and advice and information about entitlement to BIA support, including the right to appeal when this support is refused or withdrawn. Call the advice line on 0845 603 3884 or see www.asaproject.org.uk.

Family Rights Group

Family Rights Group is a charity in England and Wales that advises parents and other family members whose children are involved with or require social care services. Its runs a confidential telephone advice service for families. The advice line is openMonday - Friday 10:00am - 12:00 noon and 1.30-3.30pm on freephone 0800 731 1696. Advice can also be provided in response to emails and letter. See www.frg.org.uk

Health

Department of Health

Government department providing health and social care policy, guidance and publications for NHS and social care professionals. See their website at www.dh.gov.uk

Health for asylum seekers and refugees portal (HARP)

HARP is a web resource for health professionals and volunteers working with asylum seekers and refugees. It has a directory of information and resources concerning the health needs of refugees and asylum seekers. The site includes a multilingual appointment card – translating basic appointment letters into many languages for clients. See www.harpweb.org.uk

Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture

Provides care and rehabilitation to survivors of torture and other forms of organised violence. Also has centres in London, Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow. Call its London head office on 020 7697 7777 or see www.torturecare.org.uk

Trafficking

National Child Trafficking and Advice Line, NSPCC

This advice line is a new service for anyone with concerns about human trafficking. It can offer advice and information; give safeguarding guidance about children/young people who are suspected to have been, or who may have been, trafficked internally and across borders; and provide consultancy to professionals. Call 0800 107 7057 (line open weekdays, 9.30am - 4.30pm), or see http://www.nspcc.org.uk/inform/resourcesforprofessionals/freshstart/ctail/ctail_wda51323.html