Multi-Agency Forums in East of England
What is a Multi-Agency Forum?
A Multi-Agency Asylum and Refugee Forum could simply be described as a round-table that brings together a variety of statutory, voluntary and community organisations to discuss asylum seeker and refugee issues.
As Multi-Agency Forums mainly focus on local issues, they essentially feature local representation. They may have no formal status, a relatively simple structure and little or no funding.
Multi-Agency Forums in the UK
Multi-Agency Asylum and Refugee Forums operate in many areas across the UK although they are not necessarily joined up in to national network of forums. However, they do often play a key role in developing stronger networks locally.
List of Multi-Agency Forums in the East of England
- Regional Multi-Agency Chairs Forum
- Fenland Diverse Communities Forum
- Bedfordshire Community Liaison Multi-Agency Forum
- GYROS-Great Yarmouth Multi Agency Forum
- Norwich Asylum Seeker and Refugee Forum
- Peterborough Multi-Agency Forum
- Luton Multi-Agency Asylum Forum
- West Norfolk Diverse Communities Partnership
- Suffolk Multi-Agency Forum for Asylum Seekers & Refugees
- South Herts. Multi-Agency Forum
- Cambridge Asylum Seekers & Refugees Multi-Agency Forum
- Norfolk Migrant Workers Forum
- Suffolk New & Emerging Communities Forum
- Cambridgeshire Migrant Workers Forum
- Hertfordshire Migrant Worker Forum
Eastern Regional Chairs’ Forum
1. General information about your Forum
The purpose of the Chairs’ Forum is to represent local Multi-Agency Forums and Groups at a strategic regional level.
The aims of the group are:
-To share information to improve local practice
-To develop and support solutions to problems
-To feedback and influence regional and local policies
Key partners:
-Chairs and designated representatives of Multi-Agency Forums
-Senior Policy Officer, EERA-CARI
-Regional Manager, NASS
-Partnership Development project staff
-MENTER
Main activities: Representing the local Multi-agency Forums at the regional level and informing these Forums about the regional policy development
Achievements: Created mechanism for feeding local issues up to the regional level
Current projects: Involved in development of the Regional Refugee Integration Framework
2. Contact details
Contact Name: David Bailey
Email: dbailey@fenland.gov.uk
3. Information about your meetings
Meeting dates and times: Meetings are held quarterly. (February, May, August, November)
Place: Meetings are held in EERA, Flempton House, Flempton from 10 am to 2.00 pm
Reporting Links: The Chairs’ forum report to the Reference Group, East of England Regional Assembly Consortium for Asylum and Refugee Integration.
1. General Information
Aim: To build community cohesion by celebrating and sharing the value of diversity throughout the region. To identify, understand and address the needs of, and the tensions between the diverse range of communities in Fenland, and ensure that this information is used by the wider Partnership and partners to inform service planning and delivery. To share information to assist the diverse communities of Fenland to receive coherent and consistent services by coordinating mainstream activity and initiatives in each agreed priority area.
Key partners:
Chris Collict (CC1) Chair
Anna Allen Menter
David Bailey FDC -
Nick Blake Bridgegate
Gillian Clarke Peterborough Racial Equality Council
Tracy Cory Isle College
Lesley Evans Care and Education
Karen Fysh JobCentre Plus
Mike Gleadow Environmental Health
Jean Gledhill Fenland Council for Voluntary Service
Abi Hunt Fens Food and Flower Festival
Mary Hutson Home-Start
Tanya Mills Home-Start
Olawunni Oni African Caribbean Forum
Lesley Plan East Cambs and Fenland Primary Care Trust
Sohale Rahman Norfolk and Fenland Muslims/Minority Matters
Keith Smith The Ferry Project
Oonagh Tucker Citizens Advice Bureau
Thelma Wadsley Rural Stress Information Network
Di Atkinson Partnerships Manager FDC
Jake Bowers
David Burton
Graeme Carson
Phil Chapman
Chas Conlon
Bob Elvis
Mark Fraser
Daisy Line Norfolk Diversity Officer
Margaret Osborne
Bethan Rees
Main activities:Promotion of best practice for the community as a whole body to be able to access services and enjoy a peaceful and inclusive environment.
Achievements: Community Food events
Current projects:
Rhythm Beats Racism Music Festival
Training Events
Welcome Booklet Development
Global Tea Day
2. How to contact us
Contact Name: David Bailey, Diversity and Traveler Manager and Barbara Pitt, Business Support Officer
Postal address: Fenland District Council, Fenland Hall, County Road, March. Cambridgeshire PE15 8NQ
Email: david.bailey@fenland.gov.uk & bpitt@fenland.gov.uk
Telephone: 01354 622256
3. Information about Forum’s meetings
Meeting dates and times:Next Meetings 29th March, 24th May, 20th July ,11th October and19th December 2006
Place:Council Chamber Fenland Hall, March and Exchange Tower, Wisbech
4. Other information
Structure:
After MENTER provided the collaborative workshop, the Forum has decided to restructure the meetings.
The Forum now consists of several sub groups, including: Health Improvement; Education; Community; Events; Housing and Employment.
Members have been asked to 'sign up' to their preferred area of delivery and some members, due to their work will become 'floating' members, providing specific input when required.
These groups will all meet on the same day and the group leaders will report to a smaller dedicated committee.
Reporting links: Fenland Strategic Partnership ( East Cambridgeshire Startegic Partnership involvement on Welcome Booklet Development)
Bedford Multi Agency Forum-Community Liaison Meeting
1. General information about your Forum
Bedford Multi Agency Forum - Community Liaison Meeting
Aim: Provide a forum at which issues relating to the needs of refugees, asylum seekers and persons subject to immigration control can be discussed.
Key partners: All organisations involved with support, advice or services.
Main activities: To share information and good practice. To ensure all parties are aware of their responsibilities within the framework of legislation.
Achievements: Involvement of voluntary sector and statutory agencies
2. How to contact us
Contact name: Stephanie Bennett, Chair
Postal address: Social Services, Kingsway, Bedford, MK42 9BG
Email: stephanie.bennett@bedsheartlandsptc.nhs.uk
Telephone: 07966 598293
3. Information about your meetings
Meeting dates and times: 3-4 months
Place: County Hall, Bedford.
Reporting links: Multi Agency Chairs' Forum; EERA-CARI; County Council.
GYROS - Great Yarmouth Refugee Outreach Service
1. General information about your Forum
Aim: GYROS exists to:
- (a) Provide seamless support services for people seeking asylum, refugees and other newcomers to the UK living in the County of Norfolk.
- (b) Share and develop identified good practice within these groups across the County of Norfolk.
- (c) Help refugees into independent living and to promote active participation in sustainable integrated communities.
- The service has been operating since December 1997; we have three full-time and three part-time paid staff, as well as six volunteers.
Key partners:We work with a wide range of statutory and voluntary sector partners in Great Yarmouth and across Norfolk.
Main activities: The main areas of our work are:
- (a) Running an information and advice drop-in service in Great Yarmouth; 10am – Midday on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 2 – 4pm on Wednesdays and Fridays
- (b) Direct support work in hostels and homes as well as accompaniment and advocacy.
- (c) Integration events and outings.
- (d) Providing and facilitating a monthly multi-agency forum in Great Yarmouth open to all agencies and organizations that have contact with or provide services to asylum seekers, refugees or ethnic minorities.
- (e) Involvement in the development of support and services to these groups in Norfolk and the East of England.
Achievements: GYROS runs the only voluntary service led MAF in the East of England. Additionally, we provide a range of services for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in Great Yarmouth and beyond. These include drop-in advice sessions, specialist advocacy and support work, which have helped thousands of people since 1997.
Current projects: We have recently set up a permanent office base in Great Yarmouth, where we provide support and advice for clients. Additionally, the GYROS office will soon be hosting a Psychology Support Group run by members of Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, as well as providing office space for the Great Yarmouth International Association (GYIA). These collaborations will allow access to a wide range of services under one roof.
2. Contact details
Contact Name:Des McKeating
Postal address: 52A Deneside, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2HL
Email: desmckeating@gyros.org.uk
Telephone: 01493 745260
3. Information about your meetings
Meeting dates and times: Monthly (first Monday of each month)
Place:Friend’s Meeting House, Great Yarmouth
Reporting links: Norfolk Children’s Fund; Big Lottery Fund
Norwich Asylum Seekers & Refugees Forum
1. General information about your Forum
Aim: To improve the well-being of asylum seekers and refugees in Norwich through:
1) developing a co-ordinated approach to planning across agencies and voluntary organisations to support asylum seekers and refugees in the Norwich area
2) promoting a culture of understanding, sensitivity and acceptance for all asylum seekers and refugees housed in the Norwich area
Key partners: Norfolk Children Services, Norfolk Library Services, Norwich City Council (Housing), YMCA, PCT, British Red Cross (Refugee Orientation Project), MENTER, Refugee Council, Clearsprings, Norwich City College, Norfolk French Speakers Association (NORFRESA), Community Music East, New Routes porject, NEAD, Norfolk Police and other local organisations.
Main activities:
• Sharing information and good practice
• Producing an Action Plan and monitoring progress
• Ensuring the equal participation of asylum seekers and refugees
• Providing recommendations for action to the Executive Group
• Informing regional and local policy
• Improving awareness and understanding of asylum & refugee issues in all sectors
Achievements: Organised and co-ordinated a needs mapping research exercise in preparation to the Norwich dispersal. Diminishing the Divide research report published by the Refugee Council in 2004. Action Plan was produced on the basis of the research findings. We also organized a Mental Health Day conference about Asylum Seeker and Refugee on 11th November 2005. NASREF is represented on the countywide community cohesion strategic group. Our action plan is adopted as part of the Norfolk community cohesion strategic action plan.
Current projects: Asylum Voice Project on involving asylum seekers and refugees in the Forum`s activities
2. Contact details
Contact Name: Councillor Hereward Cooke, Chair
Postal address: 31 Bracondale, Norwich, NR1 2AT
Email: cookehd@paston.co.uk
Telephone: 01603 624827
3. Information about Forum meetings
Meeting dates and times:The Forum meets monthly (second Tuesday, 10 - 12 am)
Place: City Hall, Norwich
4. Other comments:Membership is open to any organisation or individual involved with support, advice or delivery of services to asylum seekers and refugees within Norwich.
Reporting links: The Forum reports to the Regional Chairs` Forum and Senior Policy Officer, EERA CARI
Peterborough Multi –Agency Forum for Asylum Seekers, Refugees & Migrant Workers
1. General information
Aim: To ensure that all communities in Peterborough live well together and that there is an equal access to services for Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrant Workers in the city.
Key partners: Peterborough City Council, Education (PCC),Refugee Council, MENTER, PCC, FAITH project, EERA-CARI, British Red Cross (BRC, NASS, PCC, Jobcentre plus, GO-Office East, Police, Clearsprings, PCC, PCC. The key partners make up a reference group which reports to the wider forum made up of over 40 agencies/departments working with this client group.
Main activities: To support the integration of asylum seekers, refugees and migrant workers:
- To inform regional and local policy
- To promote, develop and support effective Forum working
- To share information and good practice
- To promote positive images and improve awareness and understanding of asylum, refugee and migrant worker issues in all sectors
Achievements: 2.2 Million Invest to Save funding to achieve integraton of asylum seekers and refugees in Peterborough; Production of "Welcome pack for new arrivals"
Current projects: Assessing the directions of the Forum; Development of Destitution and a Community Capacity Sub-groups; Regional Legal Advice Assessment
2. Contact details
Contact Name: Ian Houghton, Chair
Postal address: New Link, The Lincoln Road Centre, 439 Lincoln Road, Peterborough, PE1 2PE
Email: ian.houghton@ukonline.co.uk
Telephone: 01733 763729
3. Information about Forum’s meetings
Meeting dates and times: Quarterly
Place: New Link/Peterborough City Council Buildings
4.Reporting links: The Peterborough Multi-Agency Forum (MAF) operates through a Reference Group of 15 members, a flexible number of Task Groups and Open Forum meetings. It reports to on the regional level - Eastern Regional Chairs Forum and Senior Policy Officer, EERA CARI
Luton Multi-Agency Asylum Forum
1. General information about your Forum
Aim: The Forum facilitates the coming together of all the voluntary, statutory and non-statutory organisations, working in any way with refugees and asylum-seekers to attempt to identify and address general needs and specific needs as they arise. It welcomes the attendance and involvement of refugees and asylum-seekers themselves to support them and to help give them the confidence to become pro-active.
The Luton Asylum Forum aims to:
- co-ordinate services and initiatives to improve the opportunities and life-chances of refugees and asylum-seekers locally;
- share information in a way that refugees and asylum-seekers benefit in the widest sense.
-make links with other organisations locally and nationally in support of the above mentioned aims;
- plan initiatives and projects to benefit and involve asylum-seekers and refugees;
- co-ordinate use of resources and disseminate good practice.
The Forum is committed to working together to organise activities for Refugee Week.
Key partners:
Adult Education
Amnesty International
Yarl’s Wood Detention Centre befrienders
Borough Council Housing
LBC Asylum Team
LBC Education Department (Children and Learning)
Housing and everyday living support organisations
Connexions
Health –e.g. PCT NHS, The Lodge, L&D Hospital.
Luton Law Centre
Library Service
MENTER
Refugee Council
Luton Police
Social Services
African Support Organisations
Specific community support organisations
Church Organisations
British Red Cross
Youth Organisations e.g. LuBYA
Individual asylum-seekers and refugees
Early Years and Sure Start
BarnfieldCollege
DunstableCollege
Social Services 16 Plus Team
Luton Accommodation and Move-on Project (LAMP)
ESOL providers
LutonUniversity
EERA and EECARI
Luton Training and Mentoring (LTM)
LBC Supporting People
LBC Community Cohesion
African Families Positive Health (CAFPH)
Amnesty International members
Social Services Looked After Children team (LAC)
Luton and Bedfordshire Police
Main activities:
- Information Sharing and Networking; annual Refugee Week planning; focus on unaccompanied minors
- Liaison re-addressing specific issues and individual cases as soon as the need arises
- All-round support for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children -this is in place of focus on unaccompanied minors
- Offering free training in our areas of expertise
- Inviting speakers to forum meetings to share expertise
Achievements:
-Refugee Week Event in the Park with Albanian-African Football Match, June 2003
-Refugee Week Poetry Competition June 2004
-Positive Images - Practical Solutions Conference Autumn 2004 (not 2005)
-Refugee Week Information and Social Event with competition, June 2005
-Community Party and Disco, December 2005
Current projects: Refugee Week 2006
Legal Advice Assessment
Reporting Links: The Forum is accountable to all member-organisations and reports to the Regional Chairs` Forum
2. Contact details
Contact Name: Paul Wiltshire
Postal address: Supporting People, Luton Borough Council
Email: paul.wiltshire@luton.gov.uk
Telephone: 01582 547188
3. Information about your meetings
Meeting dates and times: We meet once a month, with the day of the week not fixed so no one is permanently excluded
Place: Luton Central Library
4. Other comments: We are constantly keen to welcome and include new participants on a regular or one-off basis
West Norfolk Diverse Communities Partnership
1. General information about your Forum
Aim: To identify, understand and address the needs of, and the tensions between the diverse range of communities in West Norfolk, and ensure that this information is used by the wider Partnership and partners to inform service planning and delivery. To achieve the best outcomes we aim to share information to assist the diverse communities of West Norfolk to receive coherent and consistent services by coordinating mainstream activities in each agreed priority area.
Key partners:
Chair
Adult Education
Borough Council Housing
Borough Council Community Development
Borough Council Cabinet Member
Citizens Advice Bureau
College of West Anglia
Connexions
EERA Consortium for Asylum & Refugee Integration
Fenland District Council
Fire Service
Health Issues
IAG Norfolk
Julian Housing
KLARS
Legal Services Commission
Library Service
MENTER
Norwich & Norfolk Racial Equality Council
Norfolk Constabulary
Norfolk Children’s Services
Norfolk Probation Area
Norfolk Adult and Children Social Services
Portuguese Speakers Association
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Sexual Health Promotion Practitioner
West Norfolk and Fenland Muslims
West Norfolk Chinese Association
West Norfolk Islamic Association
West Norfolk Voluntary and Community Action
YMCA Norfolk
Main activities: Promotion of best practice for the community as a whole body to be able to access services and enjoy a peaceful and inclusive environment.
Achievements:
Development of multi-lingual welcome pack.
Advice and reportage to LSP on Diverse Communities involvement on policy debate
Current projects:
Update Welcome Pack
Consultation Involvement with Health organisations and LAA
Welcome Tour for newcomers
Improved delivery of Adult Learning to BME groups
Consultaion with member groups for The Safer, Stronger, Cleaner, Greener GO East community boost
Consultation on County protocols on Safety, Education and Health
2. Contact details
Contact Name: Heather Farley
Postal address: 16, Tuesday Market Place, King's Lynn. Norfolk PE30 1JN
Email: info@westnorfolkvca.org.uk
Telephone: 01553 765046
3. Information about your meetings
Meeting dates and times: Next Meetings 20th April, 15th June, 17th August, 19th October and 14th December 2006. We always meet at 9am for coffee, and the meeting starts at 9.30am. 6 times a year (usually every other month)
Place:The Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King's Lynn or The committee rooms at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council Offices, Chapel Street. King's Lynn. Norfolk
4. Other comments
We have both enjoyed and benefited greatly from the collaborative training workshops facilitated by MENTER and Anna and Pa Musa, and in view of the learning gained from this event we are currently reviewing our meeting formats and agenda setting protocols. You keep us very well informed, thank you
Reporting Links: Local Strategic Partnership
Suffolk Refugee Multi Agency Forum
1. General information about your Forum
Aim: To develop and maintain an effective multi agency structure.
To promote the integration of asylum seekers and refugees in Suffolk.
Key partners: Police; Suffolk County Council; Ipswich Borough Council; EERA; NASS; PCTs; Refugee Council; Job Centre Plus; Suffolk Refugee Support Forum; voluntary and community organisatons working with refugee and asylum seekers.
Main activities: To develop an involvement strategy for refugees and asylum seekers to be represented at MAF meetings. Undertake mapping and needs analysis; collate data on current activites to inform forward planning. Produce a welcome booklet. Promote positive images of refugees and asylum seekers
Achievements: MAF structure in place. Strategic Plan developed and agreed. Needs analysis under way.
Current projects: Links with Local Strategic Partnerships and Local authority councillors to be developed.
2. Contact details
Contact Name: Julia Stephens-Row
Postal address: Suffolk County Council, Endeavour House, Floor 3, Lime, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk. IP1 2BX
Email: julia.stephens-row@yots.suffolkcc.gov.uk
Telephone: 01473 264655
3. Information about your meetings
Meeting dates and times:MAF meet quarterly. Executive meet bi monthly.
Place: Mainly in Ipswich
Reporting Links: None at present. Reporting carried out within existing partners.
South Hertfordshire Asylum Forum
1. General information about your Forum
Aim: The S. Herts Asylum Forum is open to:
-Designated representatives of agencies or groups who are involved or have an interest in local asylum and refugee integration issues.
-NASS Regional Manager or designated representative
-Refugee Council representative.
-MENTER Partnership Development Project worker
2. Contact details
Contact Name: Gavin Edwards, Chair
Email: gavin.edwards@hetscc.gov.uk
3. Information about your meetings
Meeting times and dates: Meetings of the S. Herts Asylum Forum shall take place quarterly. (March, June, September, December). Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 2pm to 4pm
Place:Watford Town Hall
Reporting Links: The Chair represents the forum at the Eastern Region Chairs’ Forum, which in turn links into the Reference Group of the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA CARI).
1. General information about your Forum
Aim: Provide a regular forum at which issues relating to the needs of refugees & asylum seekers within Cambridge can be discussed.
To involve and support voluntary groups within Cambridge in respect of issues relating to asylum seekers & refugees.
To inform and influence Local, Regional & National decision making.
To share information and good practise and to develop solutions to common problems.
To ensure that all parties are aware of their responsibilities within the framework of legislation.
To develop an action plan with clear targets and timescales to take forward and progress the aims of the forum.
Key partners: Cambridge County Council, NASS, MENTER, Cintra, Cambridgeshire Police, Social Services, Cambridge Regional College, EERA, Job Centre Plus, Cambridge Refugee Support Group, Citizen Advice Bureau, Cambridge Independent Advice Centre
Main activities: To develop an involvement strategy focusing on refugees and asylum seekers and to link with the Countywide Migrant Worker networks.
Achievements: MAF structure in place. Terms of Agreement developed and agreed. Membership invitations extended to diverse organitions
Current projects: Links with Local Strategic Partnerships and Local authority councillors to be developed.
2. Contact details:
Contact Name: Jon Feasey
Postal address: Cambridge City Council, 44 St Andrews St, Cambridge, CB2 3AS
Email: jon.feasey@cambridge.gov.uk
Telephone: 01223 457942
3. Information about your meetings:
Meeting dates and times:Meetings are held every three months, in February, May, and August & November timed to feed into the Regional Chairs Forum meetings.
Place: Mainly in Cambridge
Reporting Links: The Chair of the Forum will report to the Regional Multi Agency Chairs Forum and / or Senior Policy Officer, EERA-CARI and to appropriate forums at a local level.
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Partnership Development Project
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