The NRPF team in Lambeth support children, families and adults with no recourse to public funds who are at risk of homelessness or destitution.
NRPF is a condition imposed on someone’s immigration status under section 115 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. This states that a person has ‘no recourse to public funds’ if they are ‘subject to immigration control’. Individual’s with NRPF have no entitlement to:
- certain welfare benefits
- homelessness assistance; and
- an allocation of social housing through the council register.
When a person has leave to enter or leave to remain that is subject to the NRPF condition, the term 'no public funds' will be stated on their residence permit, entry clearance vignette, or biometric residence permit.
Who can apply
There are two main groups who can apply for assistance:
- Families who are destitute or who are at risk of being destitute. This includes families who are experiencing homelessness or who are struggling to meet their family’s essential needs.
- Single adults with care needs. This includes adults with complex needs who require care and support due to a disability.
How to apply
Families or practitioners can make a referral to our Integrated Referral Hub (IRH), which provides a single point of access for services that help keep children safe.
Telephone: 0207 926 3344
Email: helpandprotection@lambeth.gov.uk
Adults or practitioners can make a referral to our Adult Social Care team, which provides an advice, information and assessment service to those in need.
Telephone: 0207 926 5555 (option 3)
Email: AdultSocialCare@lambeth.gov.uk
Our business hours are Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. If you require assistance outside of these hours, please email: patmos@lambeth.gov.uk
Useful information
School uniform policy
NRPF families can approach the school to request support with uniforms at the start of the school year. As a Borough of Sanctuary, we are working to ensure that those seeking sanctuary in Lambeth are welcomed and well-supported. We encourage all Lambeth schools to buy the school items needed as soon as sanctuary seeking children start attending their school.
All Lambeth schools are entitled to a £100 reimbursement from Lambeth Sanctuary Services for each sanctuary seeking pupil attending their school for uniform and other necessary school items.
Free school meals
The government have permanently extended free school meal eligibility to children in all households with NRPF status, subject to maximum income thresholds, which Lambeth supports.