Help for refugees and asylum seekers

The Southwark Refugee Resettlement Team provides support and assistance to refugees and asylum seekers in our community. 

Our team is committed to helping individuals and families rebuild their lives and integrate into the local community.

Our services

The Southwark Refugee Resettlement team provides services to a number of vulnerable migrant service user groups, including:

• Homes for Ukraine: The team ensures that hosting arrangements within the Homes for Ukraine Scheme are safe and suitable. Southwark has welcomed hundreds of families under the scheme to date
• Afghan resettlement: We are committed to welcoming new arrivals under the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS), and the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP)
• Syrian resettlement: Since 2016, we have helped Syrian refugees with housing, education, and employment opportunities
• Asylum contingency hotels: The Home Office houses asylum seekers at several sites in Southwark. The team collaborates with housing providers and voluntary sector organisations to support asylum seekers and newly recognised refugees

How we help

Our support includes:

• Welcoming new arrivals: We work with local communities, groups, and public services to ensure refugees receive a warm welcome and have the support they need to start their new lives. We greet new arrivals when they arrive at their host or their own accommodation. We make ourselves available on-site to the residents at the asylum contingency hotels
• Orientation: We show refugees around their new local area, help them understand public transport, and help them find essential services like healthcare and education. We also help refugees understand and adapt to local customs and cultural norms
• Housing support: We assist with understanding tenancy agreements and addressing any housing issues. We also work with other council departments and third-sector organisations to avoid homelessness
• Financial assistance: We help open bank accounts, access benefits, and signpost to benefits advisers
• Employment support: We provide assistance to access training, volunteering, and employment opportunities through working with our third-sector partners
• Health services: We ensure refugees can access essential healthcare services. We ensure access to physical and mental health services, including signposting to specialist counselling for trauma
• Education and language classes: We support refugees in learning English to help them communicate effectively and integrate into the community. We offer English language classes through our partner organisations and support educational opportunities for both children and adults
• Community integration: We reduce isolation by connecting refugees to their communities through group activities and local partnerships

Contact us

If you need assistance or would like to learn more about our services, email refugee.resettlement@southwark.gov.uk or call 0207 525 0740.

If you're homeless or at risk of homelessness, contact Housing Options on 0207 525 4140 (option 1) or email housing.options@southwark.gov.uk. For out-of-hours, call us on 0207 525 5000.

If you wish to make a safeguarding referral for an adult with No Recourse to Public Funds (including asylum seekers) refer them to the NRPF Team. If you wish to make a safeguarding referral of an adult who has full recourse to public funds, for example someone with refugee status, contact Adult Social Care. 

All safeguarding referrals for children regardless of immigration status, go to Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).