Who can we help?

We help asylum seekers who are not entitled to social security benefits or assistance from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) and have no means of support. In practice this applies to:

  • people who have applied for asylum, in this country before 24 July 2000, who have had their application refused and have an appeal pending
  • people who have applied for asylum at the port of entry before 3 April 2000 and have had their application refused before 25 September 2000 and now have an appeal pending
  • families with children who are in school and who have been refused asylum after 25 September 2000, we help while an application is being considered by NASS, but not after a decision is made
  • single adult asylum seekers who arrived after 3 April 2000 are referred directly to NASS
  • unaccompanied minors below the age of 18. These are children who are not living in the UK with their parents (or an adult who is legally responsible for them) and are also registered with the Home Office awaiting the outcome of their application

What can we do for you?

If you are seeking political asylum, you are entitled to be assessed for the same range of Social Services as other residents of Waltham Forest. In certain circumstances we will refer you to other agencies, for example:

  • if your children are not in school
  • if you are subject to racial harassment
  • if you have family members who are disabled, have mental health needs or are suffering from severe illness
  • in cases of domestic violence

We may also be able to provide you with:

  • advice, including how to find a GP or how to get school places for your children
  • temporary accommodation if you are homeless and not entitled to social security benefits or help from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS)
  • limited financial help if you have children under 18 years and have no other source of income
  • a referral to social workers and other services where appropriate

Important points

The type of help we can give you will depend on whether or not you are currently responsible for caring for children under 18 years who are living with you.

Temporary accommodation may be in a bed and breakfast hotel. Some of the accommodation is outside Waltham Forest. We cannot guarantee to offer you accommodation in any particular area and our policy is to only make one offer of accommodation.

Please note that our service can be suspended or cancelled if you do not declare any source of income or savings which you have.

Assessing your needs

Before providing any help, we must assess your needs and circumstances. The assessment will cover:

  • your identity
  • your immigration status
  • your eligibility for benefits
  • whether you have a connection with another area
  • whether you are homeless
  • your rights to employment
  • what financial resources you have
  • what special needs you or your family may have
  • whether you have been assisted by another local authority

You must tell us immediately if:

  • the make up of your family changes
  • there is any change in your immigration status
  • you get a job

The documents you will need

Please bring all the documents about you that you have when you first visit the Asylum Seekers Service. These documents include:

  • all Home Office papers since your arrival in the UK
  • letters from the Department of Social Security (DSS)
  • letters from solicitors
  • proof of where you have been living and the tenancy agreement if applicable

This will ensure that the assessment can be completed as quickly as possible.

Appointments

You should give your appointment slip or letter to the duty officer when you arrive.

If you do not have an appointment, you will be given a ticket and people will be seen in order of arrival unless there are special circumstances which need to be taken into account. How long you have to wait will depend upon how many other people are waiting, but we will try to make your wait as short as possible.

Comments and complaints

We aim to provide services to a high standard. We welcome your comments - good and bad - on our services. We will try to resolve problems quickly.

If you are still not satisfied you have the right to complain.

Complaints Manager
Children and Families Complaints Team
Children and Young People Services
Silver Birch House
Uplands Business Park
Blackhorse Lane
Walthamstow  E17 5SD

Tel 020 8496 3249
Fax 020 8496 3599
Email childrenservicescomplaints@walthamforest.gov.uk

Our complaints procedure is explained in Get yourself heard (1.13MB, pdf file) leaflet or by contacting the Complaints Unit on 020 8496 3000.

Contact us

Children in Care Service
604 High Road
Leyton  E10 6RN

Tel 020 8496 2118/2144
Fax 020 8496 2154

Opening hours are Monday-Thursday, 9am-5.15pm and Friday 9am-5pm

Useful links

General information about refugees and asylum seekers can be found on the Refugee Council web site