The Refugee Council works to influence policy development on refugees and asylum seekers in the UK at a national level through our policy team.
Our aim is to influence all those who make decisions that have an impact on refugees and asylum seekers. We also work in partnership with those who share our aims, including other voluntary sector organisations and professional associations.
We respond to policy initiatives in a wide range of areas, and we specialise in four areas of policy.
Separated children
Separated children are those who have arrived in this country without a parent or a guardian. Our policy work on issues affecting separated children is concentrated on three areas.
Returns of separated children
We are aiming to influence the Home Office’s development of an enforced returns programme. We also and highlighting all the protection concerns associated with this policy.
Turning 18
In addition to influencing emerging government policy on protection and support, we raise awareness amongst stakeholders of the complex difficulties facing separated children as they turn 18.
Refugee Community Organisations (RCOs)
We work with RCOS to increase their confidence in working with the statutory and voluntary agencies that separated children encounter. This is being provided through a specially designed training course aimed at the particular concerns of RCOs.
Children’s Education
We also work on policy affecting the schooling of children from refugee and asylum seeking families.
Inclusive Secondary Schools Project
The project's aim is to research and pilot new ways of working that link schools and Local Education Authorities with refugee parents, carers and refugee community organisations. We hope this work will help refugee children feel more at home in UK schools, which in turn will help them to achieve their full educational potential.
Raising the achievement and inclusion of refugee pupils in mainstream education
We provide training and do advisory work with stakeholders with the aim of raising awareness and increasing expertise in order to influence policy and practice.
We also aim to influence policy and practice at the national level by developing and maintaining networks, engaging with key decision makers, and participating in projects and consultations.
