PsyRAS POLICY RESPONSES & CONSULTATIONS

PsyRAS Submission to the Independent Asylum Commission (IAC)

The intention of this paper is to bring to the awareness of the IAC the specific effects of the asylum system on people suffering with mental heath problems. We hope to encourage the IAC to recommend that people with mental health problems are idenified as vulnerable people so that appropriate accomodations might be made in the refugee status determination process in the UK.  The submission can be read by clicking here.

The Independent Asylum Commission Report - Interim Findings, March 2008

Proposed changes to the funding of legal representation for asylum work

As PsyRAS members we were concerned that proposed changes to legal aid funding for asylum seekers, would have differential effects on people suffering from mental health problems. Our comments on the proposed changes to funding of legal asylum work: here.

National Asylum Support Service [NASS] Dispersal Guidelines

In 2004 & 2005 as members of PSYRAS we were invited to attend a consultation conference on the redrafting of policy guidlines on the health care needs of people in the process of dispersal of asylum seekers to National Asylum Support Service. We wrote this document regarding mental health and later attended a follow up conference on the matter: PsyRAS Comments on draft NASS policy

The policy guidlines adopted can be found here: Policy Bulletin 85 dispersing asylum seekers with healthcare needs

Removal of Indefinite Leave to Remain [ILR]

In August 2005 we wrote to the Home Office and to Neil Gerrard MP regarding the govnerment proposals to remove Indefinite Leave to Remain for people recognised as refugees under the 1951 convention. PsyRAS changes to ILR letter

The Home Office reponse to our concerns regarding the removal of ILR for refugee people can be read here and Neil Gerrard MP's repsonse can be read here.

Current Consultation Regarding Mental Health

In 2007 we wrote to the Home Office to initiate a consultation regarding the effects of the asylum system on the mental health of perople seeking asylum. Our letter can be read here : p1 p2

The reponse of the Home Office can be read here: p1 p2 p3