Migrant Rights and Refugees
It will be important for your new recruit to have access to information about their rights. You may have recruited the person from abroad but they could also be a refugee already in the UK.
For quick navigation of this guide, please use the links below:
Employer’s Toolkit
CLEAR has developed an employer’s toolkit, providing guidelines, best practice and tips for creating an inclusive workplace for refugees.
The Toolkit also aims to answer frequently asked questions around the employment of refugees, assisting organisations to understand their responsibilities and provide clear, concise guidance on key topics.
It is important to note that whilst this toolkit focuses specifically on refugees, much of the information is relevant to the wider migrant community.
https://clearproject.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/EMPLOYING-REFUGEES.pdf
Embassies and High Commissions
It may be important to your new recruit that they have details of the Embassy or the High Commission of their home country. A full list can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foreign-embassies-in-the-uk
Rights and Advice
The Migrants Right Network
The Migrants Right Network is a national charity that works alongside migrants in their fight for rights and justice. Their website has a Know Your Rights Guide which can be accessed here:
https://migrantsrights.org.uk/resources/know-your-rights/
The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants
The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants also has a range of tools and resources:
https://www.jcwi.org.uk/Pages/Category/toolkit-and-guides
Right to Remain
Right to Remain also produces a guide to the UK Immigration and Asylum system:
https://righttoremain.org.uk/toolkit/
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice provides advice on moving to and staying in the UK including help with visas:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/resources-and-tools/search-navigation-tools/Search/?q=immigration
Local Support Organisations
More locally many support organisations are available
Portsmouth
Portsmouth City of Sanctuary
Portsmouth City of Sanctuary helps local refugees and migrants in Portsmouth, Gosport and the surrounding areas. They run a Refugee Hub, based at St Luke’s Church, Southsea, every Monday morning, from 10:30am to 12:30am. For those who are claiming asylum and live in Portsmouth, they can offer English classes, casework support, and help with registering for local services.
https://portsmouth.cityofsanctuary.org/
Friends without Borders
Friends without Borders is a charity that provides support for refugees and vulnerable migrants within the Portsmouth area.
http://www.friendswithoutborders.org.uk/
HIVE Portsmouth
HIVE Portsmouth provides a full list of organisations in the city providing support to refugees and migrants.
https://hiveportsmouth.org.uk/hive-directory/search/123
Citizens Advice Portsmouth
Citizens Advice Portsmouth provides Immigration Advice
https://caportsmouth.org.uk/pages/online-advice?search=Immigration
Hampshire
Gurkha Welfare Advice Centre
Gurkha Welfare Advice Centre In Aldershot helps retired Gurkhas and their widows to settle in the UK
https://www.gwt.org.uk/welfare-support-in-the-uk/
Guidance for Ukrainian Guests
Guidance for Ukrainian Guests is provided by Hampshire County Council with access to local guides:
https://www.hants.gov.uk/ukraine/guests
Winchester City Refugee Support
Winchester City Refugee Support Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/503114074545539/
Winchester City of Sanctuary
Winchester City of Sanctuary is a voluntary group welcoming refugees:
https://winchester.cityofsanctuary.org/
Churches Together in Winchester
Churches Together in Winchester supports Syrian refugee families that are being accommodated in the Winchester area:
https://ctwin.org.uk/churches-together-champions/refugees/
Romsey Town Council
Romsey Town Council has produced a Guide for Migrants consisting of a Welcome Pack to the Test Valley and a Guide on how the NHS works. Both can be downloaded here:
https://www.romseytc.org.uk/migrants.html
The Rural Refugee Network
The Rural Refugee Network helps bring refugees to safety in Hampshire and, once here, to help them successfully resettle into their new communities.
https://www.ruralrefugeenetwork.org/
Southampton
City Life Church
City Life Church runs CLEAR offering a range of information advice and guidance to refugees and their families, people who have migrated to the UK from the European Union or other European countries
https://clearproject.org.uk/advice/
HK Welcome
HK Welcome is for new residents in Southampton from Hong Kong and supports people adjusting to life in the UK
City of Sanctuary
City of Sanctuary is a group which supports refugees in Southampton:
https://southampton.cityofsanctuary.org/
Southampton Action
Southampton Action provides practical assistance to refugees:
https://solinked.org.uk/community_services/southampton-action
Two Saints
Two Saints supports refugees in Southampton as part of the Syrian Vulnerable Person Relocation Scheme.
https://www.twosaints.org.uk/refugees/
Isle of Wight
Community Action
Community Action Isle of Wight provides support to people arriving from Ukraine
https://www.communityactionisleofwight.org.uk/ukraine-information-page/
Modern Slavery
If you are a small or medium sized business there may be no requirement for you to comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2015. However as an employer you should always be aware of workforce exploitation and abuse.
Unseen
This link to Unseen, the modern slavery charity, demonstrates that modern slavery in the care sector is increasing and provides information on how to protect yourself as an employer and your staff and a route for reporting.
https://www.unseenuk.org/modern-slavery-in-the-care-sector-problems-and-solutions/
South East Strategic Partnership for Migration
The South East Strategic Partnership for Migration providers a leadership, coordination and advisory function for migration in the South East of England.
Justice&Care
Justice&Care is a modern slavery charity which has a wealth of resources including how to spot the signs of modern slavery:
https://justiceandcare.org/spot-the-signs/
Skills for Care
Skills for Care provides a series of videos about modern slavery in care, the signs and what to do if you have concerns:
https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/Recruitment-support/International-recruitment/Modern-slavery.aspx
Local resources and reporting routes:
Modern Slavery Partnership
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire hosts the Modern Slavery Partnership
https://www.hampshire-pcc.gov.uk/msp/stop-modern-slavery
Reporting
If you have a concern about modern slavery, you should report it to the Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 012 1700 or the police on 101.
In an emergency call 999.
Portsmouth Safeguarding Adults Board
https://www.portsmouthsab.uk/reporting-concerns/
Hampshire Adult Safeguarding
Southampton Local Safeguarding Adults Board
https://southamptonlsab.org.uk/modern-slavery-2/
Isle of Wight Safeguarding Adults Board