Communities of Practice (CoP) help immigration advice organisations, both voluntary sector and for-profit, to work together to develop a more integrated, collaborative and client-centred legal advice system. We do this by sharing information and mutual learning, whilst exploring ways to add value to each other’s work.
The first CoP that we set up was in February 2019 in West Yorkshire. This included Refugee Action, St Augustine’s, Bradford Law Centre, DASH, St Vincent’s, IBSA Legal, McKenzie Friends Beacon, Fisherstone Solicitors and PAFRAS. Since then it has expanded to cover Yorkshire and Humberside and now has over 13 participants from 11 law firms and NGOs.
The group meets quarterly to discuss legal changes, training and challenges. Recent activities include a mapping exercise of local legal advice gaps and planning how the group could collaborate to meet those needs.
Participants said that they found the CoP useful for discovering more about each other’s work, especially opportunities to develop more joined-up referral pathways between local law firms and voluntary sector organisations.
The CoP has also been exploring ways that pro bono support could enhance regional advice services. Together, we launched a Country of Origin Information pro bono project in partnership with an international law firm.
We also have a Community of Practice in Hampshire - further infor to follow
In response to requests from the Yorkshire and Humberside Community of Practice to extend their support for each other beyond the scope of the meetings, they launched a CoP Slack channel in December 2020. The online space now has 59 members who regularly ask questions, share tips and resources.
If you have a question about Communities of Practice, please email Julie at Refugee Action. We aim to reply within one week.
'Thanks for the most recent CoP meeting. I can’t tell you how brilliant it is to be involved in this network!'
'Thanks for everything. We’d be lost without you all there to make it navigable.'
'James at FIAP was a great help. As I’m the only OISC trainer in my organisation, it was good to have someone to bounce ideas off.'
