The research identified several areas in which work is needed in Wales to improve the support and services available to people with NRPF, to improve access, and to improve We found a lack of strategy and resources, with too often little evident engagement around the prevention of destitution or the broader issue of NRPF. [...] They are greatly restricted by the law in their ability to provide services to people with an NRPF condition, but local authority duties to meet the care and support needs of adults where these do not arise solely from destitution as a result of their immigration status, and to provide services to children in need, are not affected by a lack of entitlement to public funds. [...] The assessment should be carried out in the usual way, with due regard to the wellbeing of the person and involving carers and other people they wish to be involved in the assessment. [...] Findings are characterised by the lack of a coherent response to the needs of people affected by NRPF, a lack of training and awareness, and a lack of support and infrastructure. [...] The council were initially refusing to support the family due to a lack of evidence of the situation, concerns around fraud and trafficking, and a lack of understanding of the BN(O) visa and the council's duties, and abilities, to support the family.
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Table of Contents
- About the Bevan Foundation 2
- How you can help 2
- Hundreds of people and organisations across Wales enable the Bevan Foundation to speak out against poverty inequality and injustice. We would not exist without their support. 2
- To make Wales a nation of prosperity for all where everyone can fulfil their potential no matter who they are or where they live please join our community of supporters. 2
- Your support and that of others makes a difference to us and a difference to Wales. 2
- Find out more at httpswww.bevanfoundation.orgsupport-usindividuals 2
- Cover photo 2
- So now for us with a family of five they give my husband 6
- 25000 each. The cost of the health surcharge is about your annual income. They are expecting us to raise that money and give it all at once. This is just for the health 6
- Research participant dependant graduate visa 6
- Summary 7
- Key findings 8
- Key recommendations 8
- 1. Introduction 10
- 1.1 The no recourse to public funds restriction 10
- The Welsh context 11
- Who has no recourse to public funds 11
- Benefits that can be accessed by people with NRPF 12
- 1.2 The cost-of-living crisis and its impact on people with NRPF 13
- 1.3 Our research 13
- Project advisory group 14
- 2. Local authority support and duties 15
- 2.1 Local authority duties under the law 15
- Adults 15
- Children 16
- General considerations 16
- 2.2 Welsh Government NRPF Guidance 16
- 2.3 Identifying the scale and scope of local authority support 17
- 2.4 Costs to local authorities of NRPF support 18
- 3. Findings local authorities 19
- 3.1 No local authority in Wales has implemented a Local NRPF Pathway 19
- 3.2 Only 32 per cent of local authorities in Wales provide or commission NRPF training for staff 21
- 3.3 Local authority staff are asking for more guidance and training 23
- 3.4 Only two local authorities in Wales collect data on support given to people with NRPF 24
- Different and changing populations 26
- The benefits of data collection 26
- 3.5 Contrasting perceptions of need were evident at different levels within the same local authority 26
- 3.6 There is a lack of understanding of NRPF within local authorities in Wales 27
- 3.7 There is a lack of consistency between and within local authorities in their approaches to NRPF 28
- 3.8 Some local authorities and departments are making concerted efforts to improve support to people with NRPF 29
- 3.9 Local authorities need better working relationships with specialist organisations and immigration advice providers 29
- 4. Findings legal representation advice and 32
- 4.1 There is not enough advice and information about the rights and entitlements of people with NRPF in Wales 32
- 4.2 Trusted and community-based support is urgently needed to facilitate access to services 33
- 4.3 People with NRPF need support and protection to exercise rights and entitlements 34
- 4.4 The crisis in immigration legal advice and representation is a barrier to navigating pathways out of destitution 34
- 5. Free school meals in Wales 37
- 5.1 The importance of free school meals 37
- 5.2 Eligibility for free school meals in Wales 38
- Free breakfasts 38
- 5.3 Eligibility for free school meals across the UK 39
- England 39
- Scotland 40
- Northern Ireland 40
- 5.4 The relationship between the School Essentials Grant and free school meals 40
- 6. Findings free school meals 41
- 6.1 Local authority websites do not provide clear information about free school meals to people affected by NRPF 41
- 6.2 Most local authorities in Wales exclude children from free school meals on the basis of their immigration status 42
- 6.3 Systems for applying for free school meals exclude people with NRPF even where they may be available 43
- 6.4 Lack of information and concerns about immigration status prevent many people with NRPF from applying for free school meals 43
- 6.5 Children affected by NRPF are being excluded from access to the School Essentials Grant 44
- 7. International Students 46
- 7.1 International students in Wales 46
- 8. Findings International students 47
- 8.1 International students are facing large and unexpected costs that risk driving some into destitution 47
- 8.2 International students are facing major challenges in finding accommodation particularly for families 49
- 8.3 Lack of suitable accommodation severely affects the ability of international students to financially support themselves 51
- 8.4 Financial requirements for international students can exclude them from essential support 52
- 8.5 In recent years the international student population in Wales has changed 53
- 8.6 Recruitment of international students needs to be well planned and promote welcome integration and support 54
- 8.7 Some international students do not feel supported by their universities 54
- 8.8 Barriers to employment prevent international students from using their qualifications and contributing to the workforce in Wales 56
- 9. Conclusion 58
- 10. Recommendations local authority support 59
- 10.1 Recommendations for local authorities 59
- 10.2 Recommendations for Welsh Government 60
- 10.3 Recommendations for the Welsh Local Government 61
- Association WLGA 61
- 11. Recommendations legal representation 62
- 11.1 Recommendations for Welsh Government 62
- 11.2 Recommendations for local authorities 62
- 12. Recommendations free school meals 63
- 12.1 Recommendations for Welsh Government 63
- 12.2 Recommendations for local authorities 63
- 13. Recommendations international students 64
- 13.1 Recommendations for universities 64
- 13.2 Recommendations for Welsh Government 64
- References 65
