National government determines immigration policy and whether a person seeking asylum is accepted as a refugee. The Home Office and the UK Visas and Immigration Department (UKVI) decide who can legally reside in the UK.
The Home Office is responsible for managing contingency and dispersal accommodation and supporting needs of asylum seekers while a decision on their asylum claim is made.
In Oxford, the Home Office contracts ClearSprings Ready Homes to facilitate accommodation and support for asylum seekers.
The Local Authority is not responsible for accommodating asylum seekers. However, those who are recognised as refugees can seek support from their local council.
Oxford City Council is in liaison with the Home Office’s private contractors, with statutory and voluntary agencies to try and ensure that they can respond to local circumstances and ensure the safety and wellbeing of people seeking asylum in our city.
If you are seeking asylum and need support, please contact Migrant Help.
Migrant Help provides advice and guidance to assist asylum seekers in the UK move through and understand the asylum process. They run a free asylum helpline available 24/7, 365 days a year and accessible to all asylum seekers in the UK - call 0808 8010 503.
You can find a guide to the UK immigration and asylum system on The Right to Remain website.
Volunteer to help people seeking asylum
If you would like to volunteer to help people seeking asylum, in Oxford, the following local charities offer direct support and are always looking for more volunteers:
- Asylum welcome – volunteers support a range of services: running our welcome desk, teaching English, interpreting, mentoring, delivering food, providing advice and much, much more - visit the Volunteer pages on the Asylum Welcome website for further details
- Care4Calais (C4C) - volunteers can help in many ways, including gathering and sorting donations, distributing direct aid, befriending refugees and sharing coffee or taking a walk together, and assisting at a weekly drop-in social session. C4C tries to help integration and relieve boredom by organising informal English lessons, play sessions, art classes and other social activities - visit the Care4Calais website
- OxfordHub - are looking for volunteers who would like to teach English either as a Teacher/ Assistant Teacher or as a 1:1 Tutor - all training provided and no qualifications required - to find out more email: fellow@oxfordhub.org or visit the Oxford hub website
Support for unaccompanied asylum seekers and young people
Services for unaccompanied asylum seekers and young people are provided by Oxfordshire County Council - visit the Oxfordshire County Council website.
