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Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Ina Wyatt Gosebruch, Housing Co-ordinator at Praxis shares her story about the many ways Praxis have successfully altered their working practices, to best support migrants & refugees during C-19:

Under Section 17 of the 1989 Children’s Act, Local Authorities have a duty to support destitute families with children. Some of these families are referred into our Housing Project at Praxis.

At Praxis, we provide quality and safe shared temporary accommodation, to migrant families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF), and single women with insecure immigration status who would otherwise be facing homelessness.

Praxis provides wrap-around support, including an allocated Keyworker and access to our community support groups and activities.

Whilst living in our housing project, residents work with a Praxis OISC accredited immigration adviser to regularise their status and gain access to mainstream services and accommodation. Having stable housing and holistic support reduces isolation and enables quicker positive outcomes for complex immigration cases.

At the beginning of March 2020, Praxis conducted thorough contingency plans for the housing project in advance of the lockdown, and we have adjusted our service to continue providing support in the safest way. We have shared our plans with the residents alongside a resource pack with official guidance and held meetings where residents could voice concerns and discuss the impending uncertainty.

To minimise the spread of the virus and protect our residents, we have decided to temporarily close to new referrals. Additional risk assessments have been conducted for residents with pre-existing health conditions and vulnerabilities.

To maintain easy communication with residents, Whatsapp groups have been set up and house leads have been designated. As our staff are working remotely, house visits have been paused and keyworking has continued via weekly phone and video calls. WiFi is installed in each property, which is crucial for the residents’ entertainment and children’s home schooling.

Praxis has also been able to provide tablets for all families. The routine monthly health and safety checks are being conducted by video call, and if works are required we ensure contractors are not displaying symptoms. The out-of-hours number is still in place for emergency situations, and funds are transferred to the house leads to purchase cleaning items and toilet paper for the household.

At Praxis we have ensured that families have access to financial support and food. On top of doubling our usual weekly hardship grants for single women, we have advocated for increased Section 17 subsistence rates from social services, and have helped families to obtain free school meals and food bank vouchers. When one household was required to self isolate, we liaised with individual social workers who provided the necessary support around food deliveries. 

Immigration cases are still being managed by the residents’ individual advisors and urgent cases have been prioritised. Since the beginning of the lockdown we have had some successful immigration outcomes which has been very welcome good news!

We are continuing to assess individual need and ways of maintaining the work we do to the best standard. Covid-19 has really changed the way our housing project runs. Residents and staff are used to having frequent visits with very hands-on support. However, the families we work with are in a relatively good position, with the support of both social services and Praxis, which prevents them from increased destitution and isolation.

Nonetheless, it is still a new challenge for all. Living in shared accommodation, with young children, is not easy at the best of times. The families have rallied together and looked after each other which has positively impacted their wellbeing and experiences of the lockdown.

VRF - Emergency Fund Launched!

St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity is pleased to announce the launch of the VRF - Emergency Fund.

This fund offers vital support to people experiencing homelessness, or whose accommodation might be at risk, in the following areas:
 
• Basic Essentials
• Overcoming Barriers to Support
• Securing Accommodation.

Find out more & apply today: http://frontlinenetwork.org.uk/vrf-emergency-fund/

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