Humanities Assignment Essay on Social Policy UK

8/10/2019 Humanities Assignment Essay on Social Policy UK

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Humanities assignment essay : Social pol icy

UK

Social Policy basically means designing of various policies so that the requirements of people

in need are taken care of. Various policies like health care policies, educational policies,

children welfare policies and others are formed so that the local people can be safe (Greener,H, K, 2010). Social Policy is about the measures in policy that influence the social

circumstances of individuals. Every country has set a social policy so that they can take care

of the common people but when the common people are not protected by their own country

then they seek help from other countries. Every country has a policy to protect asylum and

refugees so that they too can lead a regular life. Many a times, the term asylum seeker and

refugee is used interchangeably by people in their conversation but there is a huge difference

in both these. An asylum seeker is a person who applies for protection under the 1951

Refugee Convention. Showing well founded fear of persecution on the grounds of race,

member of particular social group, religion, nationality or political belief and waiting for a

decision by the Home office (Hayes 2007). Therefore, when ones application is successful

he/ she is granted refugees status. Following this, then arrangements are be made by theUKgovernment to relocate refugees from their country to UK. Some asylum applications are

carried inside the country therefore they are dispersed to different cities (Patel, K, 2006).

Asylum seekers in the UK

UK

has a social policy that is friendly towards Asylum seekers and this fact was known to all and

hence, the number of asylum seekers increased drastically in UK (Hayes,2007).

In her works Hayes (2007) states that labour government passed the Act 1999 that was

implemented by National Asylum support Service (NASS).This legislation was intended to

take care of the asylum seekers who were actually in need rather than that of people who just

entered the country and hence dispersed without a say .However, they were housed and

awarded 70% of income support (Hayes, 2007).

UK government started laying huge penalties on the shipping and airline companies whichwere helping people to transport from their country to UK without any proper documentation
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of being a refugee (Kaye, 1999). The asylum seekers in UK were eligible for benefits so that

they can be safe in the country but this was stopped in the 1990s (Kaye, 1999). If an asylum

seekers application was rejected by the government then the benefits which the government

was giving was also stopped so that the deserving asylum seekers can get it (Kaye, 1999).

The withdrawal of benefits from asylum seekers werent accepted positively by the

newspapers, NGOs and even churches (Kaye, 1999). They all protested against thegovernment stating that withdrawal of basic needs like food, shelter and healthcare is an

injustice and hence, this rule shouldnt be implemented. The NGOs decided to file a case

against the government regarding this rule and the court stated that every person, in UK, is

eligible for a house and hence, the government has no right to cancel it (Kaye, 1999).

Again according to housing Act 1996, Section 185 indicated that if an asylum seeker applies

at the port of entry becomes eligible for housing support. (Cohen 2001).

In addition, asylum seeker feels safe in London where they can find a group of migrants

stating already. Once an asylum seekers application is rejected then they are not eligible for

any benefits but families with children unaccompanied children are exception to this rule on

agreement to sign a deportation order and avail themselves at a reporting centre accordingly

(Patel, K, 2006).

Entitlements that Refugees receive in the UK

The refugees in UK are eligible for various benefits and UKs social policy is designed in

such a way that they can make the refugees feel like home. All the entitlements that are

available for UK citizens are available for the refugees as well (Patel, K, 2006). Apart from

that, they are also eligible for social care service so that they can treated with due respect in

the society, housing and council tax benefits so that they can have a proper shelter to live

their family and the tax benefits will help them to save the money and utilize the same for

some other purpose. If the refugee is handicapped then they will also be eligible for disability

benefits. They are also eligible for job allowance till the time, one of the family members

doesnt find an accurate job to support their family (Patel, K, 2006).
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Challenges for refugees

The refugees who are relocating from any part of the world to UK may get various benefits

but they have to face various challenges so that they can lead a normal life. Few of the

challenges that they face in their day-to-day life are discussed below.

Language is one of the biggest problems that refugees in UK face. They are very depressed

with the problem that they had undergone (and communicating their situation to anyone can

reduce their stress but that is not possible due to language problem. It is also noticed that

most of the refugees are from underdeveloped countries and hence, they are unaware of

English language. Most of the women and elderly people from the refugees dont get anopportunity to work due to lack of education and hence, they are completely unaware about

communication in English.(Cesarani, 1996)

Mental health of the refugees isnt stable because theyhardly know anyone in UK and people

in UK are afraid to be friendly with the refugees because of their depressed state and they

think that they may hurt anybody (Gill, 2006). The refugees underwent a lot of torture in their

home country and hence, they are depressed. By reaching UK, they might have safeguarded

their life but their legal and economic status is very much insecure.

UK has lot of benefits for the refugees but the refugees arent aware about it completely and

hence, they have to struggle a lot every day. They arent aware about thelawand they arentaware about people who can help them to understand the law. They generally try to live

within the benefits that they have so that they can at least be alive. (Gill, 2006).

There isnt any training provided by the government of UK to the refugees. Refugees arent

aware about how an organization works and hence, they assume and operate as it was in their

home land. This creates an unacceptable environment wherein they are present (Gill, 2006).

A large group works for asylum seekers and refugees

Various organizations work towards the betterment of asylum seekers and refugees in the

organization. Refugee agencies work actively as per the need and requirement of refugees.

These agencies arent run by the refugees but they employ refugees in the agency so that they

can understand the actual requirements of the refugees. Apart from that, they also provide

training and employment support to the refugees so that the refugees can find a suitable

employment for themselves (European Union, 2008)
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Charities also play a major role in providing help to refugees (Squire, 2005). The charities

identify refugees who have been a part of physical or mental torture in their home country so

that they can help them with counseling. They use to undertake projects so that they can help

refugees who have migrated recently to the UK. Churches also have a role to play in helping

refugees to lead a normal life. Many asylum seekers who are homeless stay at the church.

Apart from that, churches also provide counseling to victims by way of prayers.

The refugees of the country also had access to legal advice for free of cost. The Britain

government had a few social supporters in their country who would help the refugees with

legal advice regarding the things that they need to do if they have faced any kind of

embarrassment from the local community. There were campaigning organizations as well

which use to provide help and support to people informally. This kind of help can be for the

rules that have been set forth by the Britain government or for the voucher system that

prevails for asylum seekers (Doty, 1998).

Lastly and more importantly, there were refugee community organizations in order to help

refugees and asylum seekers. In 1999, these organizations made a significant change in howrefugee communities work together and live together in the United Kingdom. These

organizations came forward as self-help initiatives for asylum seekers and refugee

communities. These organizations are still accessible in form of over 1000 RCOs in the

Britain. These RCOs play most important role for refugees in the UK and help them making

employed and survive in the country (Piacentini, 2012). There were different community

organizations for different communitys refugees thus, allowing the refugees to relax with

their people. In this RCO (Refugee community organizations), refugees can communicate

with other refugees in their own language, thus making them feel even more comfortable

(Sales, 2002).

Effects on the mental health of refugees and asylum seekers

The refugees or asylum seekers who are currently in the UK might have gone through a

difficult situation in life and hence, their mental health is affected thus, forcing them to have

fear and trauma. It is noticed that most of the asylum seekers have lost their close family

member or friend and in many cases, they also have been in death situation.(Charrington,

2009) Many asylum seekers may have been in difficult situations wherein they would have

been deprived of water and food and they somehow would have saved their life and would

have come to the UK. Apart from this, the asylum seekers also have undergone torture,

brainwash, kidnapped, forced separation of family members and forced isolation from family

members.(Tribe 2002).

In the early time of 2000, UK government observed the problems that the asylum seekers had

and they provided counseling to them so that they can be protected from such mental issues.

Apart from that, it was noticed by the Britains government that if the refugees are kep t awayfrom their family for a long time period, it will increase the effect. Hence, the UK


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government tries its level best so that the family members can stay together. Initially, the

asylum seekers are put in a medical checkup so that health care can be done and in case of

any problem, proper treatment can be provided to them. In short, UK government undertakes

all possible things so that the asylum seekers get to know that they are safe now (Steel, S, B,

M, 2006).

Aliens Act, 1905

Aliens Act, 1905 came into existence in 1869 1870 and it was noticed that many Jewish

population entered UK. It was noticed that many cities in UK was overcrowded with Jewish

population. Many Jews started taking up all small jobs that they came across and they were

willing to work at any wage because they just wanted to earn their livelihood. Many women,

who couldnt find a suitable job for them, became victim of prostitution. Many Jews also

started with small businesswith whatever money they had. After certain point of time, the

British were irritated because they realized that the Jews are taking up their jobs and hence,racism started in the country (Wray, 2006).

Aliens Act, 1905 clearly stated that if a person who is willing to migrate from some other

country to the UK will not be entertained if they didnt have enough possession or position to

support their livelihood and family members. Reason being, if he is mad or has any otherdisease, certain crimes have been registered in his name or having an expulsion order (Wray,

2006). This made the people of Britain felt secure about the refugees who were migrating to

their country. For example,married persons wanting to reunite had to show marriage

certificates as an evidence citation here. Moreover, Aliens act, 1905 firstly focussed on

controlling jews immigration both internally and at the entry point. However, many political

parties werent happy withthis act as they believed that every person had the right to move

from one part of the world. In this context, it was analyzed that under the aliens act, refugee

would not be landed in the UK from a refugee ship only excluding the port where an

immigrant officer was appointed. Many researchers stated that this was a basic human right

and no one could deprive it from them (Wray, 2006).

Researchers supporting aliens act, 1905 believed that every society culture formed by group

of values increased the number of immigrants. This in turn will dilute the value and

originality of the society. Apart from that, every society has its own set of wealth and social

status that is distributed when the presence of people from other society tends to increase. In

addition, the Aliens Act, 1905 of the UK also demonstrated that the country will alwayswelcome people who are genuine immigrants(Wray, 2006). It is also noticed that many

people are willing to relocate to the UK for the economic benefits that they can see in the

near future so such benefits will be given only when the government of the UK approves.

There is also an immigration on humanitarian grounds when people want to stay with their

family together. In such situations, immigration is allowed by the Aliens act.The UK

government also stated that the immigration is beneficial to the country as a whole because

immigrants will sharpen their skill and knowledge so that they can find a suitable job in the

UK. A research has presented that most of the immigrants to the UK are business or

politicians from succeeding generation and hence, they get wealth with them (Wray, 2006).
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Funding for Asylum seekers and refugees

It was noticed that asylum seekers and refugees were dispersed in the name of the housing

facility. This was not liked by the asylum seekers and refugees because they felt totally alone

when they got housing facility with no one known around. RCOs (Refugee community

organizations) were formed so that they can help refugees in relocation

Additionally, these RCOs use to accumulate cash so that they can help the people who need

them. One of the problems with these RCOs was that they supported a specific group; for

example, an RCO will support Tamil refugees and other RCO will support Jews thus, making

it difficult for minor asylum seekers and refugees to seek help. The funding that the RCOs

receive totally depends on their capability to raise cash. It was noticed that the new

organizations found it difficult to raise funds because the funding institutions needed a track

record to show.( Harper, 2001)

Subsequently, one of the major problems with the RCOs was that they were willing to

undertake registration and other formalities thus, making it difficult for them to survive. A

formal registration proved that they can exist for a long period and hence, the funding

organizations were ready to shell money from their pockets. Registration was considered to

be an expensive thing by these organizations and hence, they preferred to operate as per their

convenience.Secondly, every organization preferred to help people from their own

community rather than that of all the communities who are refugees. Refugees from minoritygroup didnt support these organizations as they knew that it isnt going to help them anyway

(Zetter, G, S, 2005).

Undeserving Asylum seekers

There is a new term in Britain which states that only the deserving asylum seekers would be

approved and considered as refugees. On the other hand, undeserving asylum seekers would

not be permitted to enter the country. As a result, they were not happy with the kind of policy

that had been followed in the Britain. Likewise, asylum seekers and refugees have now

become a political issue. The asylum seekers will have to use vouchers to purchase anything

from the market in the UK. Therefore, it was not liked by thier community. Apart from that,

they are dispersed and hence, they dont get an opportunity to be a part of their community.

Such activities make the them to be different than that of the UK citizens and hence, they get

a negative thought that they are burdens to the society. It is also noticed that many schools in

the UK dont prefer to admit kids who are from refugee families because the school

authorities believe that these kids cannot perform due to the language barrier that they will

have to face in school(Sales, 2002)


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Inaddition, there are many general practitioners who dont entertain asylum seekers as patients

because know that the Britain Government is not going to pay for the treatment of these

patients. Thus, if the doctors get an idea that the treatment is going to expensive then they

remove the patients name from the list without any reason (Malloch & Stanley, 2011). On

the other end, the Britain council is strongly against racism but it is noticed that the asylum

seekers are given approvals on the basis of the country to which they belong. Nevertheless,

this is good evaluation therefore proper transition word would benefit that, the asylum

seekers have to come across embarrassing situations almost every day and they are never

accepted by the local people as people among them.(Schuster, 2003b). Other than this, the

asylum seeker couldnt get the remaining changes from the storekeeper. For example, if an

asylum seeker purchases goods worth 18 and they give a voucher of 20 then the remainingchange of 2 wasnt returned to them. This voucher couldnt be used to purchase goods like

cigarettes or tobacco thus, making their life even more difficult. To get rid of this problem,

many asylum seekers started exchanging their vouchers for cash so that they can use the

money to the fullest (Chatwin, 2001).

Consequently, a few policies had been developed concerning asylum seekers and refugees

position and state in the United Kingdom. The developed policies were concentrated on

setting up of processing centers for asylums outside the Europe. In sum, the policies also

included establishment of incorporated control systems for border and fund for European

refugees. The measures of toughness of the policies for asylums had revealed their position in

the past and came forward with new developed policies. A few constituents of such policies

encompass incompatible synchronization degrees between the countries. In this context,

career approval was first introduced by the government of the Uk and the Gemrany from

1987-1990, which was later gone universal. Next, Restrictions on visa were also extended by

Schengen singnatories with a mutual discussion with 73 countries in 1993. Finally,

developments were also made regarding fair treatment the refugees and asylum seekers in the

UK. In particular, applications of these development in policies included diffusion, custody

right to search for employment and access to their welfare benefits. Similarily, the effect of

these developed policies were also noticed by seeking the improvement in men, women and

childrens position in the country (Hatton & Williamson, 2004).

If

an asylum seeker enters the country without any prior approval from the government then

they will have to apply for the benefits of refugees separately. During this time period, if an

asylum seeker needs any help then they will have to get it from the National Asylum Support

System (NASS) and once this is approved, they will get all the benefits from the Britain

government. The asylum seekers were strongly against the dispersal of housing facilities.During the 1990s, it was noticed that the majority of the asylum seekers was located in
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London and then they were moved to other places in the UK which were empty. The

government of Britain made it very clear that they were disbursed for no other reason but due

to non-availability of space (United Nations, 2003).

Early in 2003, the asylum seekers considered that they should be away from the local

community so that they can save themselves from the embarrassment. They were given nooption while choosing the housing option and hence, they were forced to stay in houses that

were allotted to them by the Britain Government (UK home affairs committee, 2003).

Besides, there were various social care needs expected by the refugees in the UK so as to mix

up with and live with the community. By following so, social care need for children were to

understand the role of social services being a part of the family, their education, emotional

and personal well-beings and many other specific needs. On the similar hand, adult refugees

were lacking the knowledge about the procision of social care, uncertainty aout their

entitlements, language of different cultures, status, need assessment, marginalization,

community organizations value, isolation and quality od social care provision. This also

raised the points of womens condition as refugees in the country including their education,

status, role as mothers, racism, volunteering opportunities, social care and exclusion(Newbigging et al, 2010).

Refugee Children in the UK are safeguarded

Ifthe refugee family is having children with them then they were given the required protection

so that the children in the family can be protected. Apart from that, many unaccompanied

children also come into the country and they are also given required protection so that they

can be safe. social services supports them show the impact of their services and restrictions

that they face due to strict policies citation please (Childhood Bereavement Network, 2008)

In fact, while considering the interests of parents and children, due importance is given to the

childrens interest rather than that of adults in the family. children Act comes in here which

states that every child matters and therefore the unaccompanied minors falls under this Acts

umbrella evaluate how this act impacts social services citation please. (Childrens society,

2006). The UK government strongly believes that anything that harms a child before the age

of 12, creates a great impact on their mind and hence, they try their level to protect the childfrom abuse and other mental harassment. Similarly, if the name of the child is registered with

the Britain government then the government will keep a track of the child and its family

members so that the child can be safeguarded from problems (Childrens society, 2008a).

Moreover, a childrens trust has been formed in the UK so that the children in the country are

protected. In this regard, research done by Ucaln revealed that childrens emotional and

personal wellbeing is concerned so that social support to them couls be ensure and emotional

worries could be addressed. Apart from protecting the children when they are in some

problem, this organization also funds causes that are for the betterment of the kids. This trust

also takes care of the family members of the children so that the family members can take

care of all the requirements of the children (Chase, Knight & Statham, 2008).
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Every refugee child is well examined so that a note of their requirements can be made. Good

practices in relation to children protection can be noticed and explained. In this regard, a

letter and protocol were developed in order to assist practices to improve asylum seeking

childrens initial health. In contrast, good quality accommodations as well as activities during

school holidays were provided for unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC). The

protection to refugee children also included drop-in service for them (Ayotte & Williamson,2001). On the other facade of their protection, if any decision that is going to affect the child,

then the childs opinion about it has to be taken. In all the cases, the childs opinion isnt

possible but in cases, where the child is mature enough to understand the situation, like at the

age of 18 and more, the childrens opinion is a must (Beirens, Hughes, Hek & Spicer, 2007).

The concerned people should give a brief idea to the child regarding the effects of decision

that they are taking and if the child is keen on its decision then that can be implemented

without any second thought from parents (Goldthorpe, 2004).

Asylum seekers in the UK as a whole

The UK government has been continuously improving while considering the care that they

have given to the asylum seekers in the UK. Initially, when social servers of the UK such as

166 NGO and one stop service started serving asylum seekers (European council on refugees

and exiles, 2012). They helped providing them with health and education services. In

addition, they also opened a centre for refugee children. Any unaccompanied asylum-seeking

children can easily contact this council and take the help from the panel available. After acertain point of time, social workers attained good amount of understanding and experience

in dealing with asylum seekers and allowed refugees to feel secure.The services provided

them to the refugees also involved accommodation & housing support, humanitarian

protection, their status in the community and many more (Engalnd Shelter, 2012)

In this context, the asylum seekers in the UK are really happy with the social policy that they

hold. All the asylum seekers can be rest assured that they are safe in the country. Immigrants

in the country like to be together so that they can get emotional support from one another. UK

government states that the dispersion is just because there is a lack of space for

accommodating all the immigrants. It is also noticed that all the immigrants who migrated in

1990s have settled in London and hence, the majority of the population today in London is

of immigrants. A special team is engaged by the UK government so that they can keep a track

about the parents or the caretakers of the children. In addition to this, an opportunity for

refugees to work is created so that they can earn their living rather than that of being

dependent on the welfare funds that they receive. UK promotes asylum seekers to take

approval from the government before they enter the country so that arrangements can be

made accordingly. If an asylum seekers application to be a refugee is rejected then they will

have to leave the country. (Aspinall & Watters, 2010)

Social policy of the UK is such that it promotes love and care among people of different

country. The policy for asylum seekers and refugees are modified at regular intervals so thatthey can help the refugees and immigrants and at the same time, they can safeguard the


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interests of the local people as well. For UK government, the first priority is their people and

hence, anything can cause harm to the local people is voided because causing harm to the

citizens of the UK will create restlessness among their population. Moreover, subsidiary and

humanitarian protection is provided to the refugees. Correspondingly, the United Kingdom

provided humanitarian protection to over 80 people in 2011. Additionally, the UK also

provided unrestricted leave to more than 1200 applicants to remain in the country which wasa temporary permission to be in country unlikely for more than three years (The UN refugee

agency, 2012).

Conclusion:

Onthe basis of above discussion, it can be concluded that refugees and asylum seekers altogether

make almost 0.33% of the UKs population. As the majority of refugees and asylum seekers

do not have the right to work in the United Kingdom, they do rely on the support from state.

Government with the help of social supporters provide accommodation & housing services,

education and their emotional well-being support to them. Findings from the discussion also

demonstrates that asylum seekers have more complex and interlinked needs. In this regard,

social care need is one of the dimensions which comes under light in relation to other

pressing problems for them. Local authorities and supportive organizations also remain under

uncertainty about the eligibility for condition of social care needs. Therefore, government has

set the society ans some policies concerning the social needs of children, adult men and

women. In this regard, the role and responsibilities of the UK come into light with regard to

their central point of consideration. Other than this, a numbe of social supporters, NGOs,

government are there to take asylum and refugees needs into consideration. Other intitiativeshave also been taken by setting up of European refugee fund offices, control system centres,

refugee community development fund, refugee integrations loan programmes and other

activities involved particularily for them.

Humanities Assignment Essay on Social Policy UK

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