We are a local authority housing provider and local government strategic body under the banner of the Yorkshire and Humberside Consortium for Asylum Seekers and Refugees.
We are split into three teams.
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Asylum Support Team. Work primarily as a housing provider for asylum seekers. We are one of 4 in the city (the other three are Safehaven, Clearsprings and angel group). Support workers act as key-workers for orientation and referrals. Also deal with Interim and Disbenefited clients.
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Strategy and Operations Team. Information collecting, statistics based, liaising with refugee organisations. Co-ordinating and facilitation information on destitution, integration and numbers in the city.
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Hillside Reception Centre. An induction centre for newly arrived asylum seekers, with healthcare screenings and responsibility briefings.
Additional work
We keep a health report (with the Health Access Team) on all asylum seekers in Leeds.
We are developing the Leeds Refugee Integration Strategy in consultation with partners and refugee communities. This would co-ordinate mainstream services and develop specialist provision to those receiving a positive asylum decision.