Migration in Hertfordshire

Ukraine support in Hertfordshire

Refugees have the same access to healthcare as any other resident.

Asylum Seekers also have access to healthcare, including doctors, dental, eye care, and free prescriptions.

Undocumented Migrants have No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) and are only entitled to free secondary health care (that's things like hospital referrals) in certain circumstances.

How the NHS works - For translated health information visit Doctors of the World

To access healthcare in the UK you need to register with a family doctor known as a ‘GP’ near to where you live.  Even if you have registered with a GP in another part of the UK you need to find a GP near to where you are living now.  Find your nearest surgery here: Find a GP - (www.nhs.uk) Your Housing Officer from Clearsprings Ready Homes can give you this information if you are not sure of how to find your GP.

The staff at your local GP’s surgery can guide through the registration process, either in person or on the phone. You don't need proof of address, immigration status, ID or an NHS number to register, but it would be helpful to bring any background medical information.

For more information in multiple languages about how to access the National Health Service NHS.

Use a GP registration transfer card if you need to move from one GP to another - they are available in most languages. 

Mental health and wellbeing | Hertfordshire County Council – translated information on how to access mental health and wellbeing support.

Physical health and mental health and wellbeing

Physical health

Government’s migrant health guide: Assessing new patients from overseas: migrant health guide - GOV.UK

For general information about local health services in Hertfordshire including self help support, please visit Health in Herts | Hertfordshire County Council

GP: Everyone should be registered with a local surgery. People should discuss any existing health and mental health conditions with their GP

Dentist: A person does not need to wait for problems to appear before seeing a dentist. Dental health: migrant health guide - GOV.UK

How the NHS works - For translated health information visit Doctors of the World

 For more information in multiple languages about how to access the National Health Service NHS.

GP transfer card

Accessing healthcare can be a challenge for vulnerable migrants in temporary accommodation. Language and communication barriers can also increase access issues. Healthcare access can also be disrupted where people are relocated at short notice.

The cards aim to improve continuity of care and avoid duplication by supporting newly arrived individuals to re-register (or register if a first registration) as soon as possible after they move.

They are available in more than 30 languages.

Mental Health Continuum of Need (PDF 172KB)

Mental health and wellbeing community support service

The countywide Flourish service is here to provide advice, information, onward referral and holistic support to refugees and asylum seekers who are experiencing mental ill health or need support with their mental wellbeing or daily challenges.  This service is available to refugees and asylum seekers aged 16 and above.

Visit the Flourish website for group information and referral form, or email flourish@hertsmindnetwork.org.

For a higher level of mental health support

Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust (HPFT) is the NHS provider responsible for Hertfordshire’s Mental Health services for cases that require a higher level of support.

Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust (HPFT) Mental Health Service 

Single Point of Access (SPA) hpft.spa@nhs.net

• NHS entitlements: migrant health guide - GOV.UK
• Translated Health Information for Patients - Doctors of the World
• Help for Survivors: Medico-Legal Reports - Freedom from Torture 
• Refugee and Migrant Health Toolkit - World Health Organization
• Sexual Assault and Sexual Abuse Information - Migrant Help
• Check if you can get free prescriptions - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
• Social Workers Without Borders 
• Asylum seeker and refugee mental health | Royal College of Psychiatrists (rcpsych.ac.uk)
• Guidance for Commissioners about translation services in primary care
• Multilingual Maternity Resources - 47 different languages from Afrikaans to Yoruba

When asylum support ends, people have 42 days to find new housing. Councils may help only those in priority need (e.g., families with children or serious health conditions).

Do:

• Look early for affordable private rentals
• Stay in contact with housing teams and support groups
• Provide all documents quickly

Don’t:

• Wait until eviction to act
• Refuse suitable private accommodation – councils may not make another offer

Families with children at risk of homelessness can be referred to Children’s Services. Adults should contact their local District or Borough Council for help.

If you are living in Home Office provided accommodation, you will have less than 2 months to leave this accommodation after receiving a decision on your asylum claim.

You will not be provided with accommodation by the Council unless you have a priority need.

Contact your local housing team who will determine if you meet priority need or assist you to find homes or rooms to rent.

Always contact the local housing team as soon as possible  Interactive map for local and countywide services

Citizen’s Advice Dacorum Asylum Refugee Support - can provide you with advice and support around housing and employment rights. Please note, this is a rights advice service, it will not find you accommodation.

Schools
Refugee and asylum seeking children in the UK, who are up to 18 years old, can go to school.

For enquiries about school places for refugee and asylum seeking children, please do not approach the school directly.  Contact Migration.Admissions@Hertfordshire.gov.uk or call 01992 588366

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

• Asylum seekers cannot get government-funded English lessons for the first 6 months in the UK.
• But, there are many volunteer groups that offer free English lessons to asylum seekers, no matter how long they have been in the UK.
• You can find details of all English lessons (both government-funded and free) here: Hertfordshire ESOL Provision - Google My Maps
• For more information about the support available in your area, see ESOL

Step2Skills gives free English classes to asylum seekers who have waited more than 6 months. Call 01992 556194 or email step2skills@hertfordshire.gov.uk to enquire about eligibility.

Generally, as an asylum seeker you are not allowed to work for the first 12 months in the UK, after this time you may be permitted to work but only in certain jobs. 

To improve your chances of getting a job when you are allowed to work

• Improve your English

• Volunteer this is a great way to improve employment skills and will help when you apply for paid jobs in the future.

For government guidance regarding permission to work, please see Permission to work and volunteering for asylum seekers (accessible) - GOV.UK

For general advice and support contact Dacorum Citizens Advice

For general support getting a job, contact The Refugee Council

Banking

Although all high street banks should open accounts for asylum seekers and refugees, it does seem to depend on the area and the bank that is approached.  Some banks seem to be easier to work with than others.  Some local charities can support asylum seekers and refugees in opening an account.  See local support available guidance sheet (PDF 407KB)

Online bank accounts are sometimes easier to open, these include

• Monzo
• Monese
• Starling Bank
• Revolut
• Chase Bank UK

Hertfordshire money advice unit can provide advice and information about benefits and budgeting. 

Tel: 01438 843456.
Email mauadmin@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Citizens Advice Dacorum can provide countywide advice and information about money and benefits

Banking Guide for Refugees - Refugee Council 

Claiming Universal Credit and other benefits if you are a refugee - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Citizens Advice Stevenage provide an immigration advice service for refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants. immigration@castevenage.org.uk

Citizen’s Advice Dacorum Asylum Refugee Support - countywide, confidential, independent information helpline providing holistic advice and general support. Please note, this is a rights advice service, it will not find accommodation for someone.

Always contact your local housing team as soon as possible. 

Interactive map for local and countywide services

Call emergency services on 999 if you or another person is in immediate danger or if a crime is being committed. If there is no immediate risk but a police response is required, call 101 as soon as possible, or if health advice is required, call 111.

If you have concerns about a child, please report to Children’s services safeguarding 

If you have concerns about an adult, please report to Adult safeguarding

Domestic Abuse

If there Is there an immediate need to flee for safety, refer to Safer Places to arrange safe accommodation for the individual and any others at risk.

Call 025811 (24hrs) Email: info@saferplaces.co.uk  or use the Online referral form

If there is no immediate need to flee but the person still needs support with Domestic Abuse, contact Mimram Gender Based Abuse Service
Call: 0300 790 6772 to speak to a specialist IGVA
Mondays and Wednesdays: 9am – 5pm  
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays: 9am – 8pm  
Website: https://www.mimramsupport.co.uk
Email: mimram@refuge.org.uk
Mimram referral link information pack for Professionals (PDF 310KB)

Modern slavery or exploitation, for any concerns please report it here

• The Prevent strategy aims to reduce the threat to the UK from terrorism, In an emergency always call 999, otherwise email prevent@hertfordshire.gov.uk
• Reporting incidents.  The police want to help everyone in the community to feel safe and trust them. They want people to tell them if something is wrong, like a crime or a problem in the neighbourhood. Special officers, called Engagement Officers, will work with other groups and talk to people to give advice. They will be the main contact for the police and can help you find the right department if you need more help. You can contact Dani and Emma at communityengagement@herts.police.uk
• Safety in hotels and dispersed accommodation.  If you have a concern about a situation in one of the asylum contingency hotels or properties, then after reporting to the correct safeguarding route (if appropriate), please email hotels.safeguarding@ready-homes.com, cc’ing asylumsupport@hertfordshire.gov.uk  so that the teams are aware and able to liaise with relevant partners.

Some people came to the UK to work in the care sector, but their employers lost their licences, leaving them without jobs or valid visas. Funding is available to help them find new work with approved sponsors.
If you know someone affected, direct them to Displaced International Workers – Essex, Southend, Thurrock, Hertfordshire & Suffolk Support to fill out an online form.
Email internationalrecruitsupport@hertfordshire.gov.uk for advice.

People seeking asylum, those refused asylum, or anyone without legal immigration status usually cannot get public benefits, housing, or some healthcare.
See NRPF Network for information and guidance on rights and support.

Check the NRPF guidance sheet to confirm someone’s immigration status.

• NRPF

Separated Migrant Children
Hertfordshire County Council provides support for children who arrive in the UK without parents or guardians.

Healthcare
Access to healthcare can be difficult for those in temporary housing or who don’t speak English.

• GP registration transfer cards (available in 30+ languages) help people register with a doctor when they move.
• The All About Me booklet helps refugees and asylum seekers share personal information once, reducing the need to repeat it to different services.

Supporting Children with Trauma
Free, evidence-based resources for children affected by war or migration are available from the UK Trauma Council 

• Family centres in Hertfordshire

• To find local and countywide information on the support available for refugees and asylum seekers, see Guidance sheet –  Direct support available – local and countywide (PDF 470KB)
  
• Migrant Help - provides independent advice and guidance to assist asylum seekers in the UK to move through and understand the asylum process. Support is also provided in the days following a positive asylum decision.
• Hertfordshire Directory - find local support services, including care and support, community groups and much more.

Funding is available for community projects that:

• Help people build confidence and independence
• Support integration into local communities
• Prepare families moving on from temporary accommodation
• Improve mental health and wellbeing

For applications or queries, email Community.Wellbeing@hertfordshire.gov.uk

• Modern slavery or exploitation: Report to police or Crimestoppers, or email prevent@hertfordshire.gov.uk (in emergencies, call 999).
• Concerns in asylum hotels: After safeguarding referrals, email hotels.safeguarding@ready-homes.com and copy asylumsupport@hertfordshire.gov.uk

• Asylum Support (Hertfordshire): asylumsupport@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
• South Hill Centre Virtual Hub: Tuesdays, 12–3pm | Email: shc@southhillcentre.co.uk
• Urgent asylum accommodation queries: Councils can escalate serious issues through the Home Office Asylum Move-on Liaison Officer (AMLO) system via asylumsupport@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Documents

• Key messages for asylum seekers leaving HO accommodations
• eVisas
• Direct support available
• Languages spoken different countries
• Cultural Card - Understanding Religion and Belief in Hertfordshire

Legal

• Adviser Finder (oisc.gov.uk)
• Asylum Support Appeals Project - ASAP
• Immigration and asylum advice | NRPF (nrpfnetwork.org.uk)
• Find a Legal Aid Adviser or Family Mediator