HL Deb 05 April 2004 vol 659 cc194-5WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action has been taken to implement the recommendations of the 2002 Joseph Rowntree Foundation study, Disabled People in Refugee and Asylum-Seeking Communities in Britain. [HL2084]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

Since the study was published in 2002, the respective responsibilities of the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) and local authorities have been clarified in the House of Lords (R v Westminster City Council (ex parte NASS)). On 25 March 2004, the Home Office issued a consultation document on proposals for the support of asylum seekers with care needs. The consultation document aims at establishing a clear process for asylum seekers with care needs so that they can receive appropriate care and that the most vulnerable cases are recognised, and suitable care organised, at the earliest opportunity.

NASS has special teams that deal with complex and specific cases of need.

All NASS staff receive induction training that covers race and equality issues. It is important that all staff dealing with people with diverse needs are properly equipped to both understand and help meet them as required. The approach in NASS is to ensure our staff treat people with dignity, civility and understanding and our learning and development opportunities focus on this approach.

NASS officials are also working with a local authority-led working group that is considering how to collect data on asylum seekers with care needs.

We have also introduced induction centres. As part of the induction centre process health screening, including an assessment of primary healthcare needs, is offered. The asylum seeker is given a record of the health assessment to take with them on dispersal.