Health and social work services

Tender description

Cherwell DC has committed to supporting six Syrian households as part of the Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme (VPRS), set up in 2015 by the Conservative Government to support the relocation of Syrian refugees from camps in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon. It currently prioritises the following groups:- — Women. — Children and young people at risk. — People in severe need of medical care. — Survivors of torture and violence. — Refugees with legal and/or physical protection needs. — Refugees with medical needs or disabilities. — Persons at risk due to their sexual orientation or gender identity, and — Refugees with family links in resettlement countries. Refugees will be granted a five year humanitarian protection visa. This will entitle them to access public funds, access to the labour market and the possibility of a family reunion. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) conducts a series of checks including a robust identification process prior to referring a refugee to the UK scheme. Referrals are then further screened and considered by the Home Office for suitability for entry to the UK. The Home Office checks that they meet eligibility criteria and carries out medical and security checks. The Home Office retains the right to reject applications on security, war crimes or any other grounds. By the time a UNHCR referred refugee arrives in the UK they have been through a thorough two-stage vetting process to ensure the Government knows who is entering the country. This includes the taking of biometrics, documentary evidence and interviews. Security is also regarded as a continual process that does not stop as soon as a refugee arrives in the UK. Cherwell District Council have pledged to support six households within the district as part of the VPRS and will be required to ensure that these households are fully supported with their integration into local communities, to the level specified below.