6 June 2023

It was recognised by our guests during this discussion that these groups can provide a fresh perspective and that you can reach people in the community that wouldn't necessarily be reached by volunteering.

However, there are a lot of challenges and a few people from NHS organisations mentioned that they'd not successfully been able to support asylum seekers or refugee applicants through their normal process and have needed to redirect them to other voluntary organisations so that they might be able to volunteer. After six months, when they have a bit more experience and references, it is suggested that they then re-apply.

Other challenges include:

• Time and resources are needed to support this type of application.
• Making sure they have the appropriate supervision and a buddy in place for extra support.
• Cash reimbursement for expenses can be difficult for those who do not have bank accounts.
• English language can be a barrier. Check locally for access adult English courses.
• The need for the three pieces of ID for the DBS check and the online version not being flexible enough so there is often a need to go down a paper-based route. Some are expected to provide fingerprints at a police station, which we know has been the case for a long time now and can be highly triggering and very traumatic for people who may have come from difficult circumstances.
• PO Box numbers can't be accepted as a form of ID so if anybody is in perhaps a woman's refuge where they can't give the address away that makes that untenable.
• For those seeking asylum they can be moved on 24 hours' notice to another area of the country. There have been instances where volunteers have been going through or have gone through all the checks and are ready to start to then be moved. There is very little that can be done apart from making sure that the training and checks are transferrable, so they do not have to go through the whole process again in a new area.

Sourcing applicants

Link in with your local Job Centre

Labor market intelligence:

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn01403/

The good news is – it can work

• Northwest London has a wide approach with the ICS.
• They have a Northwest London refugee recruitment programme which is ICS wide and has been employment focused. There has been recognition in the programme that there is appetite for volunteering and volunteering is an important proposition in that in terms of Volunteer to Career and for those who just want to volunteer.
• Micro volunteering has been successful, but one of the challenges is reimbursing expenses for volunteers who do not have a bank account. It can be hard for them to come on site for a cash reimbursement.
• They have one volunteer who has been able to complete the standard process and another who hasn’t been able to get through the DBS check as they do not have the required paperwork.
• They do a DBS risk assessment and waiver. Look at references and self-declaration of convictions so that they can balance the risks and put in appropriate supervision. The supervision doesn’t necessarily have to be a staff member, it can be a DBS checked volunteer. The DBS exemption isn’t permanent as they will then do the DBS check after 6 months if they have acquired the necessary paperwork.
• It’s been very helpful to have a regional approach with a common understanding. They are now looking at passporting.
• It can be a slow process, but for the individual it is transforming, and they can give a fresh perspective and reach out to others that many volunteers are not able to do.
• Copies of the DBS Waiver Form and Exemption Risk assessment used by Northwest London can be found below. Thank you Northwest London for sharing these documents.

USEFUL LINKS

• https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn01403/
• Focused discussion summary January 2023
• Helpforce | Asylum Seeker/Refugee Volunteers
• Volunteer recruitment for asylum seekers and refugees.docx