Lambeth Council will undertake the following responsibilities to ensure refugees are welcomed and supported when arriving in Lambeth.
Accommodation
We will arrange furnished accommodation for refugees upon arrival in Lambeth that meets quality and safety standards.
We will also provide guidance on:
- their rights and responsibilities as tenants
- the landlord's responsibilities
- paying and setting up utilities and Council Tax
- general health and safety information
- an overview of local amenities
Reception arrangements
A member of our Resettlement Team and a member of the commissioned service provider will meet and greet the refugees on arrival at the airport and escort them to their accommodation.
Should a family arrive from a hotel in the UK, a member of the Resettlement Team will be at the family's new home to meet them and help them move in.
Refugees are provided with a welcome pack of groceries and an initial cash allowance to ensure they have sufficient funds to live on whilst a claim for benefits is being processed.
Dedicated casework support
The council and the commissioned service provider will ensure resettled refugees are provided with a dedicated source of advice and support to assist with everything from registering for benefits to signposting to specialist services.
This support will include, but is no limited to:
- assisting with the distribution of biometric residence permits
- registering with local schools, or English language and literacy classes
- attending local JobCentre Plus appointments for benefit assessments
- registering with a local GP and other healthcare providers in line with identified medical needs
- advice and referral to appropriate mental health services and specialist services for victims of torture
- access to employment, training and education
Our commissioned service provider will create a holistic support plan for each refugee family designed to support their individual needs.
Intense support is provided for 12 months by a dedicated case worker. Support is then reduced once the family is settled and more independent.
Education for under 18 year olds
The council has a statutory duty to ensure education places are available for children and young people of school age.
We will also make any necessary arrangements to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible.
English language classes for adults
We will provide English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL) classes that are tailored to the needs of resettled families. ESOL classes aim to:
- ensure that each adult refugee is able to progress towards the level of proficiency needed to function in their everyday life
- promote integration
- support refugees to progress towards self-sufficiency, including accessing services or joining the workforce if they are seeking employment
Contact us
For additional information, contact the Lambeth Resettlement Team by email at resettlement@lambeth.gov.uk