Migrant Help is pleased to announce that it has been awarded the AIRE (Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility) contract to support asylum seekers in the UK. It will enable the charity to expand its work in assisting people seeking asylum in the country to navigate the asylum process.

Andrew Billany, the Chief Executive of Migrant Help, said: “We are delighted to have been successful in the tender process for the asylum support services and that this important provision is staying within the charitable sector. We will use our experience and knowledge to implement this new service and work to improve the support available to asylum seekers in the UK.

“The contract includes a number of new elements which will enable us to take a more holistic approach to the needs of asylum seekers. We look forward to providing more hands-on support during the post-decision period, making sure that clients are aware of their options, whether the decision has been positive or negative. Through the issue reporting aspect of the contract we will assist the asylum accommodation providers to record and resolve issues with accommodation, as well as ensure that feedback and complaints are addressed in a timely manner and to the clients’ satisfaction.

“We have developed partnerships with a number of organisations to ensure that people seeking asylum receive all the support they need to successfully move through the asylum process. We will ensure that local and regional authorities, community organisations and other stakeholders are informed and involved as we implement the services. We will work closely with the Home Office and the asylum accommodation providers to ensure a smooth transition to the new service.”

Migrant Help has been providing asylum support services to asylum seekers since 2014 under the current CAGS (Consolidated Advice and Guidance Services) and CASAS (Consolidated Asylum Support Application Services) arrangements. Currently, other than its asylum services, it supports victims of modern slavery in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as Syrian refugees being resettled in East Kent.

The mobilisation of the AIRE contract will begin immediately with the full service in place by September.