Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Accepted
Publish robust safeguarding policy for contingency accommodation, including needs-based risk assessments for vulnerable groups.
Recommendation
As part of the safeguarding review and action plan recommended above, the Home Office must publish a robust safeguarding policy in relation to the use of hotels and other facilities as contingency accommodation. This should include a requirement for a needs-based risk assessment to be carried out before any women, families, children, or LGBT people at risk of hate crime are housed in hotels and other types of contingency accommodation alongside single men. (Paragraph 134) Equality and the UK asylum process 75
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.
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.