Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 19
19
Accepted
Paragraph: 128
Conduct urgent review of asylum safeguarding and increase dedicated safe accommodation provision.
Recommendation
The Home Office should conduct an urgent review of safeguarding policies and practices across all asylum support contracts, to ensure the asylum support contracts safeguarding framework is being consistently and effectively implemented in all settings. It should publish its review and an action plan within three months. We further recommend the Home Office increase contracted provision of female-only and family-only accommodation, and dedicated safe asylum accommodation for LGBT people.
Government Response Summary
The government states that the safety and wellbeing of all asylum seekers is of paramount importance and describes existing safeguarding measures, policies, and procedures.
Paragraph Reference:
128
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The safety and wellbeing of all asylum seekers is of paramount importance. We take all reports of safeguarding issues extremely seriously and have measures in place to protect vulnerable individuals. We work closely with our accommodation providers and other partners to ensure that appropriate safeguarding measures are in place. All accommodation providers are required to have a safeguarding policy and to provide training to their staff on how to identify and respond to safeguarding concerns. We also have a dedicated safeguarding team that investigates all reports of safeguarding issues and takes appropriate action. We regularly review our safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure that they are effective and up to date. We are also working to improve communication with asylum seekers so that they are aware of how to report safeguarding concerns.