Migrant Health Care: Role / Responsibility of a UKBA Asylum Case Owner

1. Migrant Health Care:Role / Responsibility of a UKBA Asylum Case Owner 21 April 2009 Speaker Anita Bell (Operational Manager)

2. Role / Responsibility of a UKBA Case Owner • Definition of Asylum: Asylum is protection given by a country to someone who is fleeing persecution in their own country.It is given under the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. Everyone has the right to make an asylum application therefore, anyone who has made a claim for asylum (which remains as yet undecided) in the UK is an asylum seeker

3. Role / Responsibility of a UKBA Case Owner • Definition of a Refugee: • A refugee is someone who has had their claim determined under the criteria set out in the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, and have therefore been granted Asylum. • To be recognised as a refugee, you must have left your country and be unable to go back because you have a well-founded fear of persecution.

4. Role / Responsibility of a UKBA Case Owner • Regional Asylum Teams • Since March 2007 Regional Asylum Teams have been set up to deal with non-detained asylum applications. These teams are located as follows: • Central London (London and the South East) • West London (London and the South East) • Solihull (Midlands and East of England) • Liverpool (North West) • Leeds and Newcastle (North East, Yorkshire and Humber) • Glasgow (Scotland and Northern Ireland) • Cardiff (Wales and South West)

5. Role / Responsibility of a UKBA Case Owner • Leeds Asylum Team • Split into 4 sub teams (Asylum Teams 2-5) each managed by an Operational Manager who is accountable for all asylum cases through to their conclusion • 57 fully trained Case Owners • 11 minors trained Case Owners responsible for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) • 4 Senior Case Workers providing specialist advice and support for Case Owners • New Asylum Team currently being established at Newcastle with 13 Case Owners, one Operational manager and one Senior Case Worker

6. Role / Responsibility of a UKBA Case Owner • UKBA Definition of Caseowner: • “Your case owner is the person who will deal with every aspect of your application for asylum, from beginning to end. You will be allocated to your case owner within a few days of making your application for asylum. • Your case owner is the single point of contact on the progress of your application, both for you and for anyone who represents you, such as a lawyer or other adviser”.

7. Role / Responsibility of a UKBA Case Owner • A case owner is responsible for: • Interviewing asylum applicants • Making the decision on the application • Managing any support issues and staying in touch with applicant • Representing the UK Border Agency if there is a legal appeal • Providing official documents • Arranging integration into life in the UK or return to the country of origin, voluntarily or by enforced removal.

8. Role / Responsibility of a UKBA Case Owner • Main Health Issues • Physical health problems; • Scabies, Active TB, HIV, Hepatitis, Impetigo • Mental health problems; • Depression, PTSD, Anxiety/Sleep Disorder, Schizophrenia

9. Role / Responsibility of a UKBA Case Owner • Main Health Issues • Victims of Torture; • Applicants are usually referred to the Medical Foundation. • Victims of Trafficking; • Where an asylum applicant appears to be a victim of trafficking advice should be sought from the United Kingdom Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC)

10. Role / Responsibility of a UKBA Case Owner • Case Study 1 - UASC with mental health problems • Applicant was assessed by a Social Services department as being aged 16 • When the applicant attended a meeting with their minors trained Case Owner his behaviour caused alarm. The applicant was distressed and laughed uncontrollably at times. He found it difficult to sit still, make eye contact and answer basic questions • The Case Owner immediately reported these concerns and the UASC was referred to Child Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) where he received treatment • After discussions with Children Services the Case Owner made the decision not to interview the child due to the child’s continued poor mental state but instead decided his case based on the information provided in his witness statement • The child was granted UASC Discretionary Leave until he is 17.5 years old

11. Role / Responsibility of a UKBA Case Owner • Case Study 2 – Asylum applicant with diagnosed schizophrenia • The applicant was residing in Initial Accommodation (IA) and staff reported that he was behaving in an unusual manner. The Case Owner contacted the medical staff at the IA and the applicant saw a doctor and nurse during his time in IA • Upon dispersal applicant was referred to Community Mental Health Services and received ongoing treatment • The Case Owner decided that in light of the applicant’s severe mental health problems it was not appropriate to interview him about his asylum claim. The applicant then expressed a desire to withdraw his asylum claim and return home • Applicant was subsequently sectioned under the Mental Health Act. His removal back to his country of origin was co-ordinated between UKBA staff and the applicant's Consultant Psychiatrist to ensure a safe return.

12. Role / Responsibility of a UKBA Case Owner • Case Study 3 – Pregnant asylum applicant diagnosed with HIV • Upon arrival into the UK applicant was diagnosed with HIV whilst four months pregnant • Applicant immediately began a course of Antiretroviral treatment for her condition and to minimise the risk of transmission to her unborn child • Applicant was subsequently granted a limited period of Discretionary Leave until the birth of the child to allow the foetus the best possible chance of being born without the disease • Applicant’s further application for an extension of this leave was refused as it was deemed that there was adequate HIV treatment in the country of origin following the birth of her child (supported by the House of Lords)