Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers (SDCAS) has shifted its primary focus to aiding newly granted refugees affected by the Streamlined Asylum Process.
Since August 2023, Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers (SDCAS) has shifted its primary focus to aiding newly granted refugees affected by the Streamlined Asylum Process. This initiative necessitated frequent multi-agency meetings in Southwark to unite organisations in addressing eviction issues following the cessation of asylum support.
SDCAS has consistently maintained a high caseload for rough sleepers. However, the recent policy changes caused a surge in homeless clients. This crisis prompted agencies to collaborate more closely to tackle the issue. The EAR partnership has proven invaluable, bolstering SDCAS’s resources for homeless clients. The growing expertise of SDCAS’s homelessness workers has been pivotal in this effort. Collaborations with various agencies, including those within the EAR partnership, have fostered a collective learning environment.
The past six months presented significant challenges as government policy changes occurred without adequate consultation, leading to safeguarding issues related to homelessness and heightened service demands. To mitigate these challenges, SDCAS secured additional funding from diverse sources and intensified cooperation with hotels, councils, charities, and legal firms. However, the policy’s impact on rendering people homeless and local authorities’ limited capacity to address housing issues continue to pose difficulties.
SDCAS Emphasises the value of ongoing consultation to prevent crises. Our efforts have yielded positive outcomes, such as the establishment of a housing clinic in Southwark, hosted by a refugee-led charity. This clinic facilitates collaboration among various council departments to advise refugees and facilitate housing applications. While addressing immediate challenges, SDCAS remains committed to supporting homeless asylum seekers through our drop-in Centres each week.
Despite formidable challenges, Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers’ commitment to collaboration and adaptation has strengthened its ability to support homeless refugees, underscoring the importance of ongoing consultation and collective action.