A review of a specialist service helping asylum-seeking families in Scotland has found it provides not only essential signposting but also a ‘sense of safety and support’ to those involved.

The Family Rights Service began in 2022 to provide more than 200 newly arrived asylum-seeking families with a dedicated case manager, to support and empower them through the asylum process.

The three-year pilot, which was funded by Justice Together, The Robertson Trust and Glasgow City Council, also aimed to resolve gaps in support and create a model for a sustainable asylum advice system in Scotland and beyond.

Delivered by the Scottish Refugee Council in partnership with Latta & Co and JustRight Scotland, the three-year pilot first launched in 2022 and involved newly arrived families, and those working across health, care, welfare and wider services.

It has now been found in University of Stirling-led research to have made a significant difference to families’ mental health and helped to better connect services – going beyond the services’ initial aims.

The report concludes that the pilot underscores the need for greater clarity and enhanced collaboration across difference agencies to better address the challenges facing people seeking asylum.

The researchers recommend this case management now model be rolled out to support all new asylum seekers in Scotland.

Lead of the report, the University of Stirling’s Dr Ashley Rogers, expert in criminology and forced migration, said a key part of the work involved recognising the mental health impact of forced migration:

“It was clear from our findings that families seeking asylum are already traumatised from having to flee persecution in their country of origin, which often involves threats to life.

“Their journey of forced migration is often one featuring further trauma, victimisation, and in many cases, exploitation at the hands of traffickers and organised crime groups.  

“When families arrive in the UK they can feel further traumatised, disoriented and disempowered, navigating a myriad of welfare and legal issues, whilst also adjusting to a new country and culture, with children in tow.”

The researchers spoke to case managers, legal representatives and families seeking asylum to evaluate the service.

They found that families presented with a variety of needs, but the primary concerns were around mental health and welfare.

Dr Rogers explained having the case manager provided by the project gives families a dedicated point of contact, to help families navigate not only a whole new set of systems, but also the stigma and social shifts involved with seeking asylum.

She added:

“A person-centred and joined-up approach ensures that necessary professionals are communicating with one another and, with rights and the asylum-seeking process being clearly explained to families, this enhances access to support, facilitates legal representatives and other relevant organisations and, in turn, reduces families’ trauma as they make their claim for asylum.”

Case managers involved in the pilot highlighted the collaborative nature of the job and the value brought to families by the consistency of their support – particularly in terms of ongoing mental health support and reassurance.

Loneliness and uncertainty faced by many families within the wider asylum system were also outlined in the report as key factors leading to them feeling case managers make an essential contribution to their wellbeing.

Family Rights Service Manager Esther Muchena said the report reveals how successful the service has been in helping people early-on in the asylum process:

“The Family Rights Service gives each family the tailored support they need to address the unique challenges they face.

“We support people in so many ways, from improving their understanding of the complex asylum process, meeting their health needs and reducing poverty to helping children and parents access education and make social connections.

“This approach empowers people, gives them self-agency and prepares them for the future so they can integrate better in their new communities and achieve their goals.

“Although the pilot focussed on supporting families, the model could be replicated to help other people in the asylum system.” 

The 207 participating families mainly came from Iraq, Syria and Iran, and were typically in the service for 373 days.

The Stirling team gathered data from families through focus groups, online surveys and WhatsApp ‘diaries’ where families detailed their experiences of being asylum seekers in Scotland.

One wrote in their diary of the trauma they carried from their experiences in their native country:

“I wanted to end my life three times. I was preparing for suicide, but I didn’t do it, thinking about my kids. [My case manager] knew about my situation, so she took care of me a lot… and guided me so that I could get treatment.”

While families have expressed appreciation for the social connections and opportunities provided, many were found to have struggled to fully engage due to challenges with poor mental health.

One family focus group heard:

“In terms of social networks, basically we’re not very social people. We do not get involved with people. The reason behind this is that we’re still settling into this country.

“We have been through very bad experiences, we’re still new to this country, we’re still numb. The numbness has not gone away.”

While the asylum system falls under the jurisdiction of the UK parliament, the Scottish parliament has devolved authority over areas such as health, education, housing, legal aid and children’s services – all areas the researchers say are crucial for welfare and integration of new Scottish families.

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