Asylum seekers with special needs
A study by the Refugee Council documents the findings of a survey of asylum seekers with special needs [April 2005]
Since the inception of the National Asylum Support Service (NASS), confusion has reigned over which body is responsible for meeting the special needs of asylum seekers over and above basic subsistence and accommodation - NASS or local authority social service departments. A House of Lords ruling found that while NASS holds overall responsibility towards destitute asylum seekers, local authorities have a duty to meet needs other than those arising out of destitution through the community care system. Despite this clarification, disputes between NASS and local authorities have continued.
This report documents the findings of a survey of asylum seekers with special needs. The overall aim of the study was to find out about their general health status and special needs, and highlight the range of issues that are not being addressed by the current support system. The report confirms that current policy and practice frameworks are still failing to meet the needs of asylum seekers with special needs and concludes with a number of recommendations for improved provision of services for asylum seekers.
Published in April 2005
