Queries relating to forced migrants, refugees and asylum seekers: FOI release

Information requested

• The Scottish Government's definition of forced migrant in this contract notice: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR526492 
• Details of the service the Scottish Government aims to provide as part of the Scotland wide integration service for forced migrants and
• If the support the Scottish Government will be providing will be available to refugees and asylum seekers whose case has not yet been determined or if their application for asylum has been rejected.

Response

I enclose a copy of all of the information you requested.

The Scottish Government's definition of 'forced migrant' as referred to in the Prior Information Notice included in your email is people living in Scotland seeking humanitarian protection or experiencing forced migration. This includes those 18 years of age and over that have been forced to leave their home country due to threats of violence, conflict, abuse and/or persecution. This includes individuals that have applied for asylum, newly recognised refugees and people arriving under UK resettlement and relocation schemes.

The details of the service the Scottish Government aims to provide as part of the Scotland-wide integration support service for forced migrants is as follows;

• The service aims to provide high quality information and essential support to people in Scotland seeking humanitarian protection or experiencing forced migration (the Service User).
• Take a structured and systematic approach to understanding risk, linked to safety planning for Service Users.
• Provide accurate and relevant information.
• Support concerned third parties and signpost where appropriate.
• Ensure an accessible service which is free to Service Users.
• Recognise Service Users have the right to make choices and do not therefore attempt to impose any particular belief or approach to the exclusion of all others.
• Allow the Service User to terminate the call at any point without recrimination.
• Ensure consistency of service is operated and no exclusion or persons are treated less favourably as a result of a protected characteristic.
• Act in accordance with equality law.
• Act in accordance with data protection legislation.
• Operate within existing UK Government national immigration policy and rules and Migrants’ Rights and Entitlements guidance, while also highlighting any areas where current policy or guidance is not meeting the needs of the service user.

Support from the Scotland-wide integration support service will be available to refugees and asylum seekers whose case has not yet been determined or if their application for asylum has been rejected.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.