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282 <h2>
282 Families with No Recourse to Public Funds
282 </h2>
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287 <div id="scope_box">
288 <h3>
288 RELEVANT CHAPTER
288 </h3>
289 <p>
289 <a href="p_uasc.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
289 Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery Procedure
289 </a>
289 </p>
290 <h3>
290 RELEVANT GUIDANCE
290 </h3>
291 <p>
291 <a href="http://www.nrpfnetwork.org.uk/guidance/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank"
rel="noopener">
291 No Recourse to Public Funds Network Practice Guidance
291 </a>
291 </p>
292 </div>
293 <div id="sections">
295 <h3 id="sections_list">
295 Contents
295 </h3>
296 <ol>
297 <li>
297 <a href="#who">
297 Who are Families with No Recourse to Public Funds
297 </a>
297 </li>
298 <li>
298 <a href="#role">
298 Role of the Local Authority
298 </a>
298 </li>
299 <li>
299 <a href="#procedure">
299 Procedures for Working with Families with no Recourse to Public Funds
299 </a>
299 </li>
300 </ol>
301 <h3 id="who">
301 1. Who are Families with No Recourse to Public Funds
301 </h3>
302 <p>
302 People who have no legal entitlement to financial support or assistance from the state are people
who have no recourse to public funds. They may self-refer for support or are referred from other
agencies.
302 </p>
303 <p>
303 Children's Social Care Services are likely to be approached by families with children or by
children or young people who are unaccompanied or separated from their parent or legal/customary
caregiver.
303 </p>
304 <p>
304 These families may be:
304 </p>
305 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha">
306 <li>
306 People with refugee status from another European Economic Area (EEA) country other than the UK
or are dependents of people in the UK who have refugee status from a EEA country other than the
UK;
306 </li>
307 <li>
307 People who are citizens of an EEA country other than the UK or are the dependents of people who
are citizens of an EEA country other than the UK;
307 </li>
308 <li>
308 Failed asylum seekers who have exhausted their appeal rights and who have failed to co-operate
with removal directions;
308 </li>
309 <li>
309 Persons who are unlawfully present in the UK who are not asylum-seekers, for example, people who
have overstayed their leave to remain, people who have been trafficked into the country, people
who entered the country illegally;
309 </li>
310 <li>
310 People who have been granted limited leave to remain on the condition that they have no recourse
to public funds, for example, people who are spouses/unmarried partners of persons with British
citizenship or indefinite leave to remain, who have been granted a two year probationary period
on condition of no recourse to public funds;
310 </li>
311 <li>
311 People who have been granted discretionary leave to remain, for example, 'separated' children or
young people from non-suspensive appeal countries whom the Home Office does not grant either
refugee status or humanitarian protection, and are given 12 months leave to remain or until
their 18th birthday, whichever is shorter;
311 </li>
312 <li>
312 People on student visas who are unable to work and have no recourse to public funds.
312 </li>
313 </ol>
314 <p>
314 (This list is by no means exhaustive and provides examples of the categories of people who may
present to Children's Social Care Services as destitute and have no recourse to public funds.)
314 </p>
315 <h3 id="role">
315 2. Role of the Local Authority
315 </h3>
316 <p>
316 The local authority is restricted by legislation in what it can provide in terms of assistance and
support for all the categories of people outlined in the previous section.
316 </p>
317 <p>
317 Under Section 54 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, families who fall under
categories a. to d. are not eligible for support from the local authority under Sections 17, 23C,
24A or 24B of the Children Act 1989. They are also not eligible for adult social care support
under the Care Act 2014 or accommodation under homelessness legislation.
317 </p>
318 <p>
318 The Home Office allows for limited forms of assistance to be given by local authorities to some
families and this could be in the form of:
318 </p>
319 <ul>
320 <li>
320 Travel assistance to leave the UK to people with dependents under 18 years;
320 </li>
321 <li>
321 Temporary accommodation to people with dependents under 18 years awaiting the implementation of
their travel arrangements;
321 </li>
322 <li>
322 Temporary accommodation to people in category d. with dependents under 18 who are awaiting
instructions for removal.
322 </li>
323 </ul>
324 <p>
324 However, the local authority still has the following duties towards
324 <span class="bold">
324 all children, young people and families regardless of their status
324 </span>
324 :
324 </p>
325 <ul>
326 <li>
326 To carry out a Child in Need Assessment for all children under 18 years old who are in families,
where there may be concerns about a child/children's welfare and/or safety under the Children
Act 1989 (including any issues that may indicate that the child is or has been trafficked or a
victim of compulsory labour, servitude and slavery);
326 </li>
327 <li>
327 To carry out a Child in Need Assessment for all 'separated' children under the age of 18 and to
provide them with services in line with needs identified under the Children Act 1989;
327 </li>
328 <li>
328 To carry out an assessment of an adult for community care services under the Care Act 2014 where
the adult's need for such services have not arisen solely due to destitution and/or to avoid a
breach of the adult's human rights which would otherwise occur if no services were provided.
328 </li>
329 </ul>
330 <h3 id="procedure">
330 3. Procedures for Working with Families with no Recourse to Public Funds
330 </h3>
331 <p>
331 Families with no recourse to public funds usually present in one of two different ways:
331 </p>
332 <ul>
333 <li>
333 Self-referral without an appointment;
333 </li>
334 <li>
334 Self-referral or referral by an external agency, by appointment.
334 </li>
335 </ul>
336 <p>
336 Social workers need to consider if there is a possibility or evidence to suggest that there are
child in need concerns or the potential for child in need concerns. This may include health needs
affecting the parent/s or children, for example, chronic health conditions, physical disabilities,
learning disabilities, or child protection issues, e.g. neglect, domestic violence and abuse.
336 </p>
337 <p>
337 If there is a strong possibility of such needs as outlined above, an Assessment should be
undertaken.
337 </p>
338 <p>
338 When interviewing members of the family, social workers should explore, as fully as possible,
existing sources of help and support in the community, voluntary groups, social networks etc.
338 </p>
339 <p>
339 Because of the 'no recourse' status of the parents, social workers will also have to check the
following alongside the Child in Need assessment:
339 </p>
340 <ol>
341 <li>
341 <a href="#key_doc">
341 Key Documents
341 </a>
341 ;
341 </li>
342 <li>
342 <a href="#local">
342 Local Connection
342 </a>
342 ;
342 </li>
343 <li>
343 <a href="#immigration">
343 Immigration Status of the Client
343 </a>
343 ;
343 </li>
344 <li>
344 <a href="#destitute">
344 Destitution
344 </a>
344 .
344 <br />
345 <br />
346 </li>
347 </ol>
348 <h4 id="key_doc">
348 1. Key Documents
349 </h4>
350 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha">
351 <li>
351 The person seeking a service must have sufficient identification although this may not be
possible if, for example, the person is fleeing domestic violence and abuse. In such cases
evidence should be established at a later date via the assistance of a solicitor or the police;
351 </li>
352 <li>
352 If they do not bring the necessary documentation on first presentation, the assessment can still
go ahead but the social worker must inform them that any decisions regarding provision of
support can only be made when they have provided the appropriate documents, and they should have
all the required documents before another interview is arranged;
352 </li>
353 <li>
353 If an interpreter is required, arrangements should be made with the interpreter to inform the
person concerned of the documentation required;
353 </li>
354 <li>
354 Those seeking a service should be asked to verify their identity and immigration status with the
production of the following forms of identification:
355 <ul>
356 <li>
356 Passports and birth certificates for all members of the family;
356 </li>
357 <li>
357 If available, travel documents e.g. return air tickets;
357 </li>
358 <li>
358 Home Officer papers (Application Registration Card (ARC), application letters or refusal
letters) and solicitors' letters; and
358 </li>
359 <li>
359 If available, bank account statements (from the last 3 months).
359 </li>
360 </ul>
361 </li>
362 <li>
362 All identification documents supplied must be original documents, which should be photo-copied
or scanned and the copy/scanned documents retained on the relevant file;
362 </li>
363 <li>
363 If the applicant or any dependents have health needs, they must provide any documented evidence
of ill health or disability for any member of the family, e.g. OT reports, mental
health/psychiatric reports.
363 </li>
364 </ol>
365 <h4 id="local">
365 2. Local Connection
365 </h4>
366 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha">
367 <li>
367 It is important to establish where the person has a local connection as it may be another local
authority, which has responsibility for this person;
367 </li>
368 <li>
368 Local connection criteria need not always apply, for example, if the person is at risk of
violence if they return to the local authority where they have a local connection;
368 </li>
369 <li>
369 It should be stressed social workers will follow up on the contact details given by those
seeking a service to make enquiries to verify the local connection;
369 </li>
370 <li>
370 If it is established that the person has a local connection with another local authority, social
workers should refer the person to that local authority.
370 </li>
371 </ol>
372 <h4 id="immigration">
372 3. Immigration Status of the Client
372 </h4>
373 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha">
374 <li>
374 Nominated persons will be able to ring the Home Office to check if the person concerned has a
'live' asylum application, been refused asylum, or has some other application pending;
374 </li>
375 <li>
375 Social workers should have the documentation outlined in Key Documents to establish the status
and identity of the applicant and his/her dependents and this should be cross-referenced with
the Home Office as fully as possible;
375 </li>
376 <li>
376 Social workers need to tell over-stayers they have a duty to inform the Home Office as they have
approached the local authority for assistance.
376 </li>
377 </ol>
378 <h4 id="destitute">
378 4. Destitution
378 </h4>
380 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha">
381 <li>
381 It is important to build up a clear picture of the family's circumstances and social workers
need to assess if the client is indeed destitute, i.e. he/she has no means of supporting
him/herself nor family or friends whom he/she can rely on for support;
381 </li>
382 <li>
382 Social workers must consider if the information given both verbally and in documented form is
credible. If they do not think it is credible, they must be confident that there is enough
evidence to the contrary (taking care to record this) in case the local authority decision is
subject to legal challenge.
382 </li>
383 </ol>
385 <h4>
385 Completion of Assessment
385 </h4>
386 <p>
386 When the assessment is completed, the social worker should discuss the outcome of the assessment
with their line manager.
386 </p>
387 <p>
387 If the family is in need of urgent/immediate support, the social worker should seek legal advice
and discuss the case with the line manager. Authorisation must be sought from the Service Manager
before any provision of immediate support.
387 </p>
388 <h4>
388 Terminating Support
388 </h4>
389 <p>
389 The decision to terminate support for an ongoing case should be made by the Service Manager. This
needs to be informed with an up-to-date assessment.
389 </p>
390 <p>
390 The social worker will need to inform the parents if their support is to be terminated. This
should be done in an interview, with the use of an interpreter if necessary.
390 </p>
391 <p>
391 The social worker should arrange for a letter to be sent to the persons concerned including the 28
day notice period from when support will terminate and to advise them to seek legal advice if they
disagree with the decision. This letter should be translated into the person's first language as
appropriate.
391 </p>
392 <h4>
392 Arranging Support
392 </h4>
393 <p>
393 Social workers will need to ensure the Assessment Record sets out the basis upon which support for
the family is provided and outlining the needs of the family. This should cover:
393 </p>
394 <ul>
395 <li>
395 If the family needs an interpreter;
395 </li>
396 <li>
396 Special accommodation needs;
396 </li>
397 <li>
397 Health needs;
397 </li>
398 <li>
398 Length of proposed support;
398 </li>
399 <li>
399 The legislation under which the family is being supported, e.g. Section 17 of the Children Act
1989.
399 </li>
400 </ul>
401 <h4>
401 Provision of Accommodation
401 </h4>
402 <p>
402 For families with no recourse to public funds who require accommodation the following steps should
be taken:
402 </p>
403 <ol>
404 <li>
404 The person concerned and the social worker should identify the specific needs of the family
taking into account location, type of property required;
404 </li>
405 <li>
405 The social worker should identify appropriate properties;
405 </li>
406 <li>
406 The social worker and person/s concerned should view suitable properties and identify a suitable
property taking into account the needs of the family and the location;
406 </li>
407 <li>
407 Accommodation must be fully furnished;
407 </li>
408 <li>
408 The social worker will negotiate with the landlord the payment of the bond, rent and acquire the
relevant information to make payment;
408 </li>
409 <li>
409 The social worker will obtain copies of documents indicating that all safety checks have been
completed in relation to the property;
409 </li>
410 <li>
410 The tenancy agreement will only be in the parent's name as this will facilitate future claims
for benefits if leave to remain is granted;
410 </li>
411 <li>
411 The social worker will make arrangements for payments of rent to the landlord on a monthly basis
directly to his/her bank account and ensure that Council tax is also paid;
411 </li>
412 <li>
412 The social worker will ensure that prior to and after the family move into the tenancy
everything is in place;
412 </li>
413 <li>
413 If the family is granted leave to remain at a future date the social worker will meet with the
landlord and family to clarify payment of rent, council tax and tenancy agreement. This will be
confirmed in writing to the landlord and the tenant;
413 </li>
414 <li>
414 The landlord and family has a duty to notify the local authority that they are in receipt of
benefits/housing benefit and any over payment of rent to the landlord will be reclaimed by the
local authority.
414 </li>
415 </ol>
416 <h4>
416 Independent Family Returns Panel
417 </h4>
418 <p>
418 Under s. 54A Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 (inserted by s.3 Immigration Act 2014),
the Secretary of State must consult the Independent Family Returns Panel in each family returns
case, on how best to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children of the family, and in each
case where the Secretary of State proposes to detain a family in pre-departure accommodation, on
the suitability of so doing, having particular regard to the need to safeguard and promote the
welfare of the children of the family.
418 </p>
419 <p>
419 A family returns case is a case where a child who is living in the United Kingdom is to be removed
from or required to leave the United Kingdom, together with their parent/carer.
419 </p>
420 <p>
420 Pre-departure accommodation is a secure facility designed to be used as a last resort where
families fail to co-operate with other options to leave the UK, such as the offer of assisted
voluntary return.
420 </p>
421 <p>
421 The Panel may request information in order that any return plan for a particular family has taken
into account any information held by other agencies that relates to safeguarding, welfare or child
protection. In particular a social worker or manager from Children's Social Work Services may be
invited to contribute to the Panel.
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