Year: 2011
Type: book
Abstract: Background and aimsThe Gateway Protection Programme (GPP), running since 2004, is the UK quota refugee scheme providing assistance to refugees designated as especially vulnerable by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.It is co-funded by the UK Border Agency and the European Refugee Fund (ERFIII).It currently provides 12 months of dedicated material and social assistance for up to 750 vulnerable refugees in the UK each year.This report presents the findings of an evaluation of the GPP for a sample of 146 adult refugees who arrived in the UK between February and May 2009.The research had two main aims: to investigate how the GPP was being delivered by different organisations across a number of resettlement areas; and to explore the resettlement and integration experiences of refugees during their first 18 months of life in the UK. MethodThe research cohort included 146 adult refugees: 105 from Iraq, 18 from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and 23 Rohingya, a minority ethnic group from Burma.Data collection took place six, 12 and 18 months after the refugees arrived in the UK and during each phase involved three main activities: a questionnaire survey of 146 refugees; focus groups with 35 men and women from the three 'nationality' groups; and 48 interviews with strategic and operational staff across the five Gateway providers, as well as other agencies working with Gateway refugees. Summary of research findings• Gateway support initially focused on 'reception orientation', before shifting to integration support.The emphasis of support also tended to shift from more intensive support to lighter touch assistance, in a bid to promote independence.Satisfaction with Gateway support was closely related to how easily refugees could get in touch with their caseworker.There was, therefore, a downward trend in levels of satisfaction during the 12 month provision period.
Authors: Deborah Platts‐Fowler, David Robinson
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Reduced inequalities
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3213509843