Terms Of Reference
Purpose
To jointly and effectively address the needs of asylum seekers, refugees & migrant workers living in Swindon
Objectives
To discuss, share and act upon information of relevance to asylum seekers, refugees & migrant workers
- To highlight gaps in service provision
- To avoid duplication of resources
- To hear the voice of asylum seekers and refugees living in Swindon
- To keep members up to date with changes to the legislative framework
- To provide a mechanism where issues identified can be raised with strategic agencies, local and regional and national
Structure and Accountability
The forum is a multi-agency group made up of representatives from a range of local, regional and national agencies, concerned with the needs of asylum seekers, refugees & migrant workers living in Swindon
The forum members are responsible for bringing their expertise into a multi-agency setting and reporting back to their agencies
The forum broadly clusters its work around themes:
- Housing
- Employment
- Education
- Health
- Interpreting and translation
Sub-groups meet irregularly between forum meetings to address particular issues in more detail as and when they arise:
The forum receives reports from the Migrant Workers Partnership Group
The forum receives reports from Refugee Voice (information and advice sessions for asylum seekers and refugees)
The forum invites speakers to the forum to talk about issues of relevance to asylum seekers and refugees
The forum receives reports from each member organisation
SBC Citizen Engagement Manager chairs the Forum
SBC BME Community Development Officer manages the activity of Refugee Voice
The forum’s secretariat services are provided by SBC
Membership
Open to representatives of all local, regional & national service providers including:
- Swindon Borough Council:
- Community Directorate
- Environmental Health
- Housing
- Adult Social Care
- Children Services
- Swindon Primary Care Trust:
- Manager, Walk-in Centre
- PALS Manager
- Wiltshire Police:
- Community Safety Officer
- Home Office:
- Immigration Service
- Border and Immigration Agency
- South West Regional Assembly
- Swindon Job Centre Plus
- Swindon College
- New College
- Richmond Fellowship
- Information Advice and Guidance Staff
- British Red Cross:
- International Tracing & Messaging Service Programme Manager
- International Organization for Migration
- Accommodation Providers
- Clearsprings Management Ltd
- Astonbrook Housing Association
- Children’s Information Service
- Community Organisations Supporting Refugees & Asylum Seekers:
- Harbour Project
- Swindon Asian Women’s Group
- Swindon Somali Association
Meetings
Meetings will take place bi-monthly, with sub-groups meeting as and when required
Approved
January 2008
Further Details/Contact:
If you would like to know more about the forum and its make up, please contact.
Kate Rowe
Citizen Engagement Manager
Learning & Engagement Team
Directorate of Community
Premier House
Station Road
Swindon SN1 1TZ
Tel: 01793 466505
E-mail: krowe@swindon.gov.uk