Glossary of Terms
A
ACRS
The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme prioritises those who have assisted the UK efforts in Afghanistan and stood up for values such as democracy, women’s rights, freedom of speech, and rule of law as well as vulnerable people, including women and girls at risk, and members of minority groups at risk (including ethnic and religious minorities and LGBT+). Eligible people are prioritised and referred for resettlement to the UK by the UK government; individuals cannot not apply. Anyone who is resettled through the ACRS receives indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK and can apply for British citizenship after 5 years. Afghan citizens resettlement scheme – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Afghan Locally-Employed Staff Ex-gratia Scheme
On 4 June 2013, the Secretary of State for Defence announced the scheme to make ex-gratia offers to eligible individuals who had been or would be made redundant as a direct consequence of the UK’s military drawdown from Afghanistan. In October 2020, the scheme was expanded to make ex-gratia offers to eligible individuals who resigned having worked for the UK government in Afghanistan. The scheme closed on 30 November 2022 to make way for the ARAP.
ARAP
The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme was set up to resettle those who assisted the UK efforts in Afghanistan and stood up for values such as democracy, women’s rights, freedom of speech, and rule of law; and vulnerable people, including women and girls at risk, and members of minority groups at risk (including ethnic and religious minorities and LGBT+). Further information on eligibility criteria and offer details: Afghan citizens resettlement scheme – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Age Assessments
Age assessments are the process by which authorities seek to determine the age of a person. This will establish what support and safeguarding they are entitled to and whether an asylum claim will be processed through the adult or child system. Local authorities in England are responsible for providing accommodation and support to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children under the Children Act 1989, and therefore may, if there is any doubt, have need to conduct an age assessment to determine whether or how to exercise its duties. In the UK, Merton compliant age assessments are now the recommended standard. This derives from case law (R (Bomba) v L. B. of Merton Judgment) which provided standards on how to conduct age assessments in the absence of other statutory guidance.
Alternatives to Detention (ATD)
Legislation, policy or practice aimed at preventing the unnecessary detention of people due to their migration status (IOM) i.e. asylum seekers while awaiting a decision. In 2023, the UK Home Office, with UNHCR and the King’s Arms Project (Bedford), piloted a project to support community based ATDs (Kings Arms Project report; UNHCR report).
Asylum dispersal
The process in the UK by which asylum seekers are ‘dispersed’ to local authorities across the UK while they are awaiting a decision on their claim. The policy of dispersal was introduced in 1999 to ensure local authorities had a shared responsibility towards asylum seekers and to avoid disproportionate stresses on accommodation and services at common border crossing points or major cities. Dispersed asylum seekers live in communities, usually in individual flats or houses in the private rented sector that have been procured by Home Office subcontractors (in the east of England these are Clearsprings Ready Homes and Serco).
Asylum seeker
“A general term for any person who is seeking international protection. In some countries, it is used as a legal term referring to a person who has applied for refugee status or a complementary international protection status and has not yet received a final decision on their claim. It can also refer to a person who has not yet submitted an application but may intend to do so or may be in need of international protection. Not every asylum-seeker will ultimately be recognized as a refugee. However, an asylum-seeker may not be sent back to their country of origin until their asylum claim has been examined in a fair procedure, and is entitled to certain minimum standards of treatment pending determination of their status” (UNHCR).
B
Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
A BRP is a card that confirms a person’s identity, immigration status and right to study, receive public services and funds – in addition to basic details, the biometric details it contains are fingerprints and a photo (Home Office). In 2024 the UK government started a phased transfer from physical BRP cards to digital eVisas.
Bridging accommodation
‘Bridging accommodation’ includes all accommodation procured by the Home Office for the purpose of providing temporary accommodation for those evacuated to the UK as a result of events in Afghanistan following the fall of Kabul in August 2021. Types of accommodation can include hotels and serviced apartments.
C
CELTA
Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. An international qualification, managed by Cambridge University, for people wishing to teach ESOL or English as a foreign language.
Community sponsorship
In the UK, a route for the resettlement of a refugee family with support from a local community group. The group commits to fundraise to cover the costs that would normally be covered by a local council resettlement scheme, as well as committing to provide ongoing social and emotional support, including signposting to other volunteer services. They have to find a house which the family can rent which must be available for at least one year after their arrival. In the UK there are certain criteria groups must meet before receiving approval from the Home Office, including the need to pass local authority checks. For more information: Community sponsorship: guidance for prospective sponsors – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Contingency hotels (Contingency accommodation – CA)
Temporary Home Office accommodation, usually hotels, introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic to house newly arriving asylum seekers. During the pandemic lockdowns, Home Office decision making on asylum claims stopped and asylum seekers were unable to move from dispersed accommodation to make space for new arrivals. In October 2023, the Home Office announced a phased exit from using hotels as asylum accommodation.
Country of origin
The country where an asylum-seeker, refugee or migrant comes from and is a national of; or had habitual residence in the case of stateless persons.
Country of destination
The desired or actual final destination of an asylum-seeker, refugee or migrant.
Country of transit
The country (or countries) that an asylum-seeker, refugee or migrant traverses to their country of destination. Their travel may be regular or irregular.
D
Deskilling
The loss or decline of an asylum-seeker, refugee or migrant’s employable skills after significant period of being unemployed; or entering work that is lower-skilled compared to their experience and/or qualifications.
Diaspora
Migrants or descendants of migrants whose identity and sense of belonging, either real or symbolic, have been shaped by their migration experience and background. They maintain links with their homelands, and to each other, based on a shared sense of history, identity, or mutual experiences in the destination country (IOM). Engaging diaspora communities can be a powerful lever for development and mutual social and economic growth.
Dispersal accommodation
Accommodation used to house asylum seekers whilst awaiting a decision on their claim. Asylum seekers live in communities, usually in individual flats or houses in the private rented sector that have been procured by Home Office subcontracted accommodation providers. In the east of England accommodation providers are Clearsprings Ready Homes (CRH) and Serco. Across the UK, Migrant Help are contracted to provide support under the Advice, issue Reporting and Eligibility (AIRE) contract. Local authorities and emergency services are also critical. See: Home Office Guidance on Living in Dispersal Accommodation (also translated into common community languages).
Displacement
The movement of people who have been forced or obliged to leave their homes and to avoid the impact of armed conflict, violence, human rights abuses or disasters. Displacement can be to another location within a country’s borders (internal displacement, internally displaced persons) or across international boundaries. The rights of displaced persons to be protected against mass government-led displacement is covered by international humanitarian law and other conventions. Related: Displaced persons.
Drivers of migration
Also referred to as root causes. Complex set of interlinking factors that influence an individual, family or population group’s decisions relating to migration, including displacement. These causes or drivers can be personal, social, structural, environmental and circumstantial factors, and be influenced by local, national, regional and global incentives (i.e. labour markets, availability of education; or conflict, persecution or disaster). Also used – push/pull factors, however this has been discredited internationally and academically as an overly simplistic model that does not reflect the interplay between multiple factors (IOM).
E
EAL
English as an Additional Language. A more inclusive term than ESOL, typically used in the context of schools for children whose first language is not English.
Economic migrant
Used by some to describe any person who crosses international boundaries to seek economic opportunities. The term is not recognised in international law and the IOM discourages its use as it does not accurately describe the complex drivers of migration. More pressingly, the term is often used derogatively by individuals and groups to suggest that only genuine refugees should be worth of state support, while those they determine as economic migrants are not: the IOM underlines that this is “clearly contrary to the prescriptions of international law and overrides the universality of human rights.”
ESOL
English (training) for speakers of other languages.
EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
A scheme established to enable persons and families from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein continue to stay in the UK after Brexit. For most people the deadline to apply was 30 June 2021.
Late applications are accepted if:
- you started living in the UK by 31 December 2020 and have a good reason for making a late application – i.e. reasonable grounds – you must include evidence to prove this
- your family member has pre-settled or settled status and you want to join them in the UK
- you have a valid biometric residence permit or visa – other than indefinite leave.
Those who lived in the UK for at least 1 day on or before 31 December 2020 and haven’t left the UK for more than 6 months since 31 December 2020 can apply for pre-settled status which enables people to work and access public funds. After five years continuous residence in the UK applicants must apply for settled status. This does not happen automatically. Once settled status is granted, there is no further need to update status.
For more information: Applying to the EU Settlement Scheme – Citizens Advice
E-visa
An online record of a person’s immigration status. In 2024 the Government initiated a phased transition from physical BRPs to eVisas. The process is overseen by UKVI.
Extraterritorial processing
Also, offshore processing. The processing of asylum applications outside the territories of the State to which the asylum claim has been made. This must be compliant with international standards, in particular international refugee and human rights laws. The UK and Rwanda Migration and Economic Development Partnership is one example.
F
Family reunification
Family members who have refugee or humanitarian protection status have the right to be supported by their host state to be reunited with immediate family (i.e. spouses or children under 18) and to enjoy their rights to family unity. Family Reunion Application – UNHCR United Kingdom (links to Home Office and British Red Cross application sites). Children are not eligible to sponsor family members under current rules, except in exceptional circumstances. See: Family reunion: caseworker guidance – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Feminization of migration
While the proportion of women who migrate has not changed, increasing numbers of women now migrate independently and enter employment, rather than as a family group; this opens up new opportunities for development and greater gender-equality, but also increases exposure to gender-specific vulnerabilities such as gender-based violence, trafficking and discrimination (IOM).
First country of asylum
Within some asylum systems, for a particular applicant for international protection, a State where he or she has already been granted international protection, that remains accessible and effective for the individual concerned (IOM, 2019). See: Safe third country.
Forced migration
Not an international legal concept, but nevertheless commonly used to describe the movement of refugees and displaced people due to external drivers such as conflict or trafficking. Legally, there is debate regarding the use of the term on the basis that it ignores the complex and interconnected drivers of migration and “a ‘voluntary/forced’ dichotomy might undermine the existing legal international protection regime” (IOM).
Former UASC care leavers
Former unaccompanied children who qualify as care leavers and who have been granted leave to remain, or who have an outstanding asylum or other human rights claim or appeal, are entitled to the same level of care and support from the local authority as any other care leaver. Currently, if an individual with no leave to remain or outstanding application is receiving leaving care support, the local authority must carry out a human rights assessment in order to determine whether removing someone’s leaving care support would breach their human rights. (Coram, 2018).
G
Gangmaster’s and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA)
A Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB), governed by an independent board made up of a chair and six members. Their role is to protect vulnerable and exploited workers. Through intelligence received from inspections, the public, industry and other government departments, they investigate reports of worker exploitation and illegal activity such as human trafficking, forced labour and illegal labour provision, as well as offences under the National Minimum Wage and Employment Agencies Acts. They work with partner organisations such as the police, the National Crime Agency and other government law enforcement agencies to target, dismantle and disrupt serious and organised crime across the UK. Their licensing scheme regulates businesses who provide workers to the fresh produce supply chain and horticulture industry, to make sure they meet the employment standards required by law. For more information, visit their website.
Global Compact for Migration (GCM)
The inter-governmentally negotiated agreement, prepared under the auspices of the United Nations, covering all dimensions of international migration to improve governance on migration, increase international cooperation and ensure migrants and migration contribute to sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda. The GCM is non-binding and respects the sovereignty of states to control their borders but provides a set of 23 objectives and 10 guiding principles to measure and report on good practice. The UK Government voted in favour for adopting the GCM in 2018. (See: The UK’s voluntary return to the Regional Review of the GCM in Europe in 2024).
Global Compact for Refugees (GCR)
The GCR was affirmed by the UN General Assembly in 2018 and provides a framework and objectives to ensure sustainable outcomes for refugees and improve international cooperation, including on easing pressures on host countries, improving self-reliance of refugees and supporting safe and dignified returns. The UN Government voted in favour of the GCR in 2018. (See: Statement of the UK Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva during the 2023 Global Refugee Forum).
H
Hong Kong BN(O) route
The UK government introduced the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) route to provide the opportunity for BN(O) status holders and certain family members to live, work, and study in the UK. This followed the imposition by the Chinese Government of a national security law on Hong Kong, in breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which restricts the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong.
Home for Ukraine scheme:
See Ukraine Schemes.
Host country / community
The country or local area where displaced persons reside, either temporarily or long-term, depending on whether they are in transit, their immigration status, or awaiting outcome of an asylum decision.
Human Rights Assessment
Local authorities are required to undertake a human rights assessment (HRA) for young people who have left care and their claim for asylum has been refused, or anyone including adults and families who has become appeals rights exhausted and have no recourse to public funds, who are destitute or at risk of homelessness or have care needs. The purpose of this assessment is to determine whether discontinuing social services’ support would be a breach of human rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.’
I
Illegal migrant / migration
In its Glossary, IOM states: “The United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3449 (Measures to Ensure the Human Rights and Dignity of All Migrant Workers (9 December 1975)) recognized that the term “illegal” should not be used to define migrants in an irregular situation. The term “irregular” is preferable to “illegal” because the latter carries a criminal connotation, is against migrants’ dignity and undermines the respect of the human rights of migrants. Migrants, as any human beings, can never be illegal; they can be in an irregular situation, but it is inaccurate to refer to a person as “illegal”.”
Initial accommodation (IA)
Initial accommodation is where new arrivals are triaged to more permanent dispersal accommodation (DA) or semi-permanent contingency accommodation (CA). We don’t have any IAs in the East of England.
Integration
The process by which migrants, refugees and asylum seekers are supported – and support themselves – to be included in, and contribute to, their communities. In the UK, the conceptual framework developed by Ager and Strang (2008) is considered foundational and was the basis of the Home Office Indicators of Integration toolkit for practitioners, and the New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy.
Integration support
The Home Office and DLUHC humanitarian resettlement schemes carry a tariff that is paid to local authorities to provide integration support. The funding instructions and amounts vary between the schemes, but generally cover housing adaptions and post-arrival support such as initial reception, casework support, and bespoke provision for education, ESOL, training etc. where this is not already mainstreamed. Additional funding is available for beneficiaries with special or care needs.
Interim accommodation
Following the closure of the bridging hotels, interim accommodation has been provided for a small number of resettled Afghan households where councils have provided appropriate evidence that a member of the family requires ongoing medical treatment which can only be undertaken within the area they currently reside. For more information on government support after closure of the bridging hotels: Bridging accommodation factsheet – September 2023 – Home Office (gov.uk)
International Family Tracing
An activity, enshrined in the Geneva Conventions and undertaken by the International Committee of the Red Cross and its National Societies (i.e. British Red Cross), to locate and reconnect separated families and missing persons affected by armed conflict. For more information: British Red Cross information portal.
International refugee law
“The body of customary international law and international instruments establishing standards for refugee protection. The cornerstone of refugee law is the 1951 Convention and its 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees. International refugee law, international human rights law, and international humanitarian law complement each other.” (UNHCR)
International Organisation for Migration (IOM)
The IOM is an intergovernmental, Member State led organisation that seeks safe, orderly and humane migration management, international cooperation on migration issues and provision of humanitarian assistance. It was established in 1951 in response to the large number of displaced people and refugees in Europe after World War Two, and became part of the UN system as a related organisation in 2016. Some of its UK Government funded activities in the UK include cultural awareness training, providing travel assistance for resettled refugees, and managing assisted voluntary return and reintegration projects.
Irregular migrant / migration
Movement of people outside of laws of international agreements governing entry and exit from a state or territory. The IOM clarifies that irregular migration does not relieve states of their obligation to provide protection. The term irregular can be used with -entry, -worker, -stay, -movement etc.
L
Large sites
Mostly decommissioned MoD sites repurposed to accommodate large groups of asylum seekers to enable closures of contingency sites. Currently the only large site in operation is Wethersfield in Essex. The Bibby Stockholm barge is also classed as a large site (as well as a ‘vessel’).
M
Merton compliant age assessments
See: Age Assessments.
Migrant
The term migrant has no international legal definition (unlike the term refugee which is a legal term) and is generally used to refer to any person who changes their place or country of usual residence. Some scholars use the term migrant to refer to all forms of movement including refugees and asylum seekers (i.e. “migrants including refugees”); others prefer to exclude refugees from the term migrants and refer to “migrants and refugees”. (www.meaningofmigrants.org as referenced by IOM, 2019).
Migration
The movement of persons away from their place of usual residence, either across an international border or within a State.
Migration governance
Collectively, the laws, protocols, policies, programmes, multi- or bi-lateral agreements at the international, regional, national and local levels that affect migrants’ experiences, rights, freedom – or limitation – of movement and well-being.
N
National Referral Mechanism (NRM)
The NRM is an online process for identifying and referring potential victims of modern slavery and ensuring they receive the appropriate support (UK Home Office and Visas and Immigration). Under the NRM, specific organisations and entities designated as first responders have a Duty to Notify and refer potential victims of trafficking or exploitation for a decision which, if positive, will result in appropriate support being provided. Potential adult victims must give their permission to enter the NRM; children cannot enter the NRM and must receive safeguarding support from local authorities. In England and Wales, local authorities are first responders with a Duty to Notify. In assessing cases, children cannot consent to being trafficked, and children do not need to give their consent for their case to be reported to the National Referral Mechanism.
National Transfer Scheme (NTS)
The National Transfer Scheme (NTS) protocol for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) was established to enable the safe transfer of unaccompanied children in the UK from one local authority (where a child presented) to another local authority to ensure a fairer, more equitable distribution of unaccompanied children across local authorities. To meet the overall best interests of unaccompanied children, a fairer distribution of children across the UK helps all local authorities meet their duties under the relevant children’s legislation (Home Office).
No recourse to public funds (NRPF)
An immigration condition meaning that affected persons cannot access public funds such as benefits and housing assistance. Under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, this is applied to certain people with leave to enter or remain, those who are expected to have the means to support themselves (maintenance undertaking), those with leave to remain pending an immigration appeal, and those with no leave to enter or remain. NRPF is applied to those who enter the UK for a temporary purpose such as to visit or study, spouses or partners of British citizens and Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas).
P
Pre-departure orientation programmes
“Courses designed to help prospective migrants, including refugees, acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to facilitate their integration into the country of destination. They also address expectations and provide a safe and nonthreatening environment in which to answer migrants’ questions and address concern.” (IOM)
Protection
“All activities aimed at achieving full respect for the rights of the individual in accordance with the letter and spirit of international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law. Protection involves creating an environment conducive to respect for human beings, preventing and/or alleviating the immediate effects of a specific pattern of abuse, and restoring dignified conditions of life through reparation, restitution and rehabilitation.” (IOM and UNHCR).
R
Refoulement
When a state denies a person their social, economic, social and cultural rights and forces them to return to a territory where they cannot enjoy these rights and be at risk of persecution (UNHCR). However, the principle of non-refoulement is defined in international refugee law is Article 33(1) of the 1951 Convention. The principle also is part of customary international law and is therefore binding on all States, whether or not they are parties to the 1951 Convention (UNHCR).
Refugee
An internationally and legally recognised term to refer to anyone who is eligible to seek protection by another state under international, regional or national instruments, or under UNHCR’s mandate. Under international law, a person is defined as a refugee if they meet the criteria, irrespective of whether they have been formally recognised as such by the government of the country they transit or arrive in. Thus, a person can be a prima facie refugee, due to their circumstances, or a recognised refugee – both should be afforded the same protection.
The 1951 Convention, at Article 1A(2), defines a refugee as any person who ‘…owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of [their] nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail [themself] of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of [their] former habitual residence … is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.’
Subsequent conventions and declarations have built on this legal definition to specify additional circumstances by which a refugee flees their country of origin, and international responsibilities to protect them.
Regular migration
Migration that occurs in compliance with the laws of the country of origin, transit and destination. (IOM, 2019)
Remittances
Money transfers from citizens working abroad. These increasingly represent the biggest source of foreign investment and development opportunities for countries in the global south. Between 2000 and 2022 the amount of global remittances increased from 128 billion USD to 702 billion (IOM World Migration Report 2022). Governments play a role in facilitating the ease by which remittances are transferred, and in doing so increase opportunities for legal migration, minimise irregular migration, and meet acute gaps in the labour market for mutual sustainable development.
Resettlement
The transfer of refugees from the country in which they have sought protection to another State that has agreed to admit them – as refugees – with permanent residence status (IOM. 2029). The thirds state that has agreed to accept them provides protection against refoulement and access to rights enjoyed by nationals. Resettlement can also lead to naturalisation (UNHCR).
Return migration
The process of a person returning to their country of origin or place of former residence. Those who do not have permission to remain in the UK can choose to undertake a “voluntary return”; or the UK Government can provide “assisted return” support for those with health or complex needs (Home Office). Individuals that choose to return may be eligible for a grant of up to £3,000 financial support for reintegration purposes i.e. to find somewhere to live, find a job or start a business. See also: Voluntary Returns Service (VRS).
RSOM
Reception, Staging and Onward Movement – used in Afghan resettlement by the MOD instead of ‘reception centre’.
S
Safe third country
A country in which an asylum seeker could have had or has access to an effective asylum regime, or in which he/she had previously made an application for international protection that has not been determined. The concept is typically applied to situations where the individual concerned has some further connection with the country in question, notably where he or she had stayed in that country prior to arriving in the country in which he or she is applying for asylum. (IOM, 2019).
Section 95 support
Housing and financial support that the Home Office can provide under section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 to a person who is awaiting a decision on their asylum claim and is destitute or is likely to become destitute within 14 days. Support will continue until the person’s asylum claim is finally determined by the Home Office or appeal courts.
- Subsistence only payments are available to asylum seekers who have arranged their own accommodation.
- Financial support is provided on a payment card (an ASPEN card). The weekly amount provided is £49.18 for each person in the household. This is expected to cover food, clothing and toiletries.
- In addition, weekly payments are made for pregnant mothers (£5.25), babies under 1 (£9.50) and children aged 1 to 3 (£5.25).
- If the accommodation provides meals, each person will receive £8.86 instead, in addition to receiving food and toiletries.
- Accommodation and subsistence payments (£49.18 per person on a payment card for food, clothing and toiletries (or £8.86 per person if your accommodation provides your meals) can be claimed by persons who have been refused asylum but are still eligible for support.
See more: Asylum support: What you’ll get – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Section 98 support
Emergency support provided by the Home Office under section 98 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 to a person who is awaiting a decision on their asylum claim and is destitute but has not received a decision on their application for section 95 support. This can cover accommodation – typically full-board in initial accommodation (IA) – and financial support.
Section 4 support (for adults)
Accommodation only support available to people who are destitute and have had their asylum claim refused, and meet a narrow set of criteria:
- To be taking all reasonable steps to leave the UK or facilitate their departure;
- To be unable to leave the UK due to a physical impediment to travel or for some other medical reason;
- That in the opinion of the Secretary of State there is no viable route of return to their country of origin;
- To be granted permission to proceed with an application for judicial review of the decision on their asylum claim; OR
- That the provision of support is necessary to avoid breaching their human rights.
Section 17 support (for UASC)
Accommodation and financial support provided to families and children by local authorities under the Children Act 1989.
Smuggling
The procurement, in order to obtain, directly or indirectly, a financial or other material benefit, of the irregular entry of a person into a State Party of which the person is not a national or a permanent resident (IOM, 2019). Smuggling, by definition, always occurs across transnational borders.
Social cohesion
Despite no singular definition, academics, practitioners and international organisations, including the UN, say cohesion is “notions [such] as “solidarity”, “togetherness”, “tolerance” and “harmonious co-existence” and refers to a social order in a specific society or community based on a common vision and a sense of belonging for all communities; where the diversity of people’s different backgrounds and circumstances are appreciated and positively valued; those from different backgrounds have similar life opportunities; and strong and positive relationships are being developed between people from different backgrounds in the workplace, in schools and within neighbourhoods.” (IOM).
SOGIESC
Persons of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and/or sex characteristics. Everyone has SOGIESC. Some people’s SOGIESC can place them outside sociocultural normative categories which can make them vulnerable to persecution, thus driving them to migrate or seek asylum; and SOGIESC considerations should be well understood by policymakers when determining asylum request cases in line with international protection mechanisms.
Service Family Accommodation (SFA)
The MOD are providing the ARAP cohort with SFA from the defence estate across the UK. This includes:
- Transitional SFA: TSFA to be used for around six-week periods to accommodate ARAP families arriving from overseas. This will provide temporary accommodation for ARAP families while settled accommodation is sourced. It will operate on a rolling basis.
- Void SFA: void SFA will be leased to Afghan families for three-year periods (for those with two to four bed requirements).
- See: Service Family Accommodation – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Serviced Apartments
The Home Office are using serviced apartments as an alternative to transitional hotels for the Afghan cohorts arriving from third countries.
T
Third Country National
In situations in which two states are concerned, a third country national is a person who is not a citizen of either state nor subject to membership of regional organisations.
Trafficking in persons
The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation or the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs (IOM, 2019). Whilst trafficking can involve crossing international borders, it can take place in a state between towns, cities or streets. In terms of consent, a person may be forced to travel, or be deceived with the promise of a job or money (Stop the Traffick).
For the reporting, see: National Referral Mechanism (NRM).
Transitional accommodation
Accommodation that is time-limited, safe and secure for arrivals under the ACRS from December 2023 until the end of June 2024. Provided until persons move into settled accommodation, or provision of temporary accommodation ends, whichever comes soonest.
Triple Planning
Part of a local authority’s regular statutory planning through the care plan for UASC. Triple Planning should begin before a young person reaches 18 involves setting out plans for the three potential eventualities for young person seeking asylum: 1) receiving leave to remain – to equip young people for life in the UK, 2) being refused leave to remain in the UK, becoming appeal rights exhausted but not being able to return to their country of origin; or 3) not being granted status and being able to return to their country of origin or decide to return voluntarily.
U
UASC
Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. Also referred to as separated children. A child or young person who is claiming asylum in their own right, who is separated from both parents, and who is not being cared for by an adult who in law or by custom has responsibility to do so (DfE, 2017). Anyone who is assessed as a UASC will be cared for through the looked after care services under the Children Act 1989.
Ukraine schemes
Regularly updated details of Ukraine visa options are available here. The latest updates are noted below (correct as of June 2024).
- The Ukraine Family Scheme, which allowed eligible Ukrainian nationals to join family members or extend their stay in the UK, closed on 19 February 2024. Those who were granted permission to reside in the UK before this date can live, work and study and access public funds for up to three years.
- On 19 February 2024, changes to the Immigration Rules for applications were laid. These changes apply from 15:00GMT on 19 February. These mean that people submitting Homes for Ukraine Scheme visa applications after this time will be granted 18 months permission rather than 36.
- Additionally, on 19 February 2024 changes were also made to the guidance on approved sponsors to require that new sponsors of Homes for Ukraine applications must be either British or Irish citizens or have indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK and commit to a minimum 6-month sponsorship period.
- The Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme (UPES) will provide an additional 18 months of permission to remain in the UK to eligible applicants; provide the same entitlements as other Ukraine schemes to access work, benefits, healthcare and education; and be free to apply for. It will be available to those who have come to the UK through the Ukraine schemes (i.e. the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine), Ukraine Family Scheme, Ukraine Extension Scheme). People may also be eligible they previously had permission to remain under a Ukraine scheme and now hold a valid visa to remain in the UK. Applications will open from early 2025. Persons will generally be able to apply within the last 3 months of their existing visa. For example, if their existing visa is due to expire in May 2025, they will be able to apply from March 2025.
United Kingdom Resettlement Scheme (UKRS)
A scheme which offers a safe and legal route to vulnerable refugees in need of protection. It is accessible to refugees who have been assessed for resettlement by UNHCR against their resettlement submission categories:
- legal and/or physical protection needs;
- survivors of violence and/or torture;
- medical needs;
- women and girls at risk;
- family reunification;
- children and adolescents at risk;
- lack of foreseeable alternative durable solutions.
Councils can volunteer to participate in the programme by making housing and integration support available to refugee families approved by the UNHCR and the Home Office. For more information: UK Resettlement Scheme Briefing Note for Local Authorities
Undocumented migrant/worker
A non-national who enters or stays in a country without the appropriate documentation. See also: Irregular migrant.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
The UN agency with a mandate to ensure the international protection of displaced persons and uphold the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1961 Protocol which are its legal basis under international law, defining who is a refugee and the rights that should be afforded to them.
V
Voluntary Returns Service (VRS)
A funded scheme to permit those in the asylum system who wish to return to their country to be able to do so. The scheme is usually implemented on the basis of bilateral agreements between the sending country and the country of origin. Organisations like the IOM are often funded to provided financial and in-kind support to help returnees reintegrate and establish their livelihoods.