We work with partners to support people who arrive in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole through asylum and refugee resettlement schemes. This includes helping people access local services and providing communities with reliable information.
On our Safer BCP Partnership website you can find out more detail about:
- community cohesion
- the definitions of people seeking asylum and refugees
- routes to the UK
- understanding asylum and refugee statistics
- housing and accommodation
- work, life and community
- crime and people seeking asylum
- finding reliable information
- getting involved in your community
Our role
We work with the Home Office, public services, accommodation providers and community organisations to understand and manage the local impact of asylum and refugee resettlement.
We do not make decisions about asylum claims, immigration status, asylum accommodation or where people seeking asylum are placed. These are responsibilities of the Home Office and its contracted accommodation providers.
For people arriving through refugee resettlement schemes, we help them access local services, including:
- housing advice
- education
- healthcare
- employment support
- English language support
People seeking asylum and the local community
People seeking asylum come from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds and include men, women, children, families, older people and single adults.
Whilst people seeking asylum are not allowed to work whilst their claim is being considered, they can integrate into the local community and contribute to the local economy. They may access a range of community-based activities and support services available locally to prepare for life in the UK if they are granted protection.
Asylum accommodation
The Home Office is responsible for providing accommodation for eligible people seeking asylum while their asylum claim is being considered. Accommodation is arranged and funded by the Home Office and its contracted providers. We do not arrange or fund this.
People seeking asylum do not choose where they are accommodated. Accommodation can include hotels, shared housing and other temporary accommodation.
Hotels may be used when other asylum accommodation is not available. They are intended to provide temporary accommodation while a person’s asylum claim is being considered.
Housing support
People seeking asylum cannot apply for social housing while their asylum claim is being considered.
If someone is granted refugee status, they can apply for housing in the same way as other eligible residents. Applications are assessed using our housing allocations policy.
Refugee status does not automatically mean someone will be given a council home.
If a refugee is homeless or at risk of homelessness, we may have duties to help them under homelessness legislation, depending on their circumstances and eligibility.
Financial support
People seeking asylum may receive financial support from the UK Government while their asylum claim is being considered.
Finding reliable information
Information shared online is not always accurate or complete. For information about asylum, immigration and local services, use trusted sources such as: