Good Practice Case Studies- Public & Voluntary Sector

Multi-Agency Working

Not surprisingly the needs of migrant workers stretch across the whole policy spectrum and so concern a whole range of different organisations. While the problem of exploitation concerns enforcement bodies and trade unions many migrant workers first raise these issues at the local CAB. Issues around access to English provision concern local colleges and the Learning and Skills Council while local authorities have a responsibility for the general wellbeing of workers as well as for services they may directly supply such as housing.

Many of these issues cut across each other. English language training and information about laws and services in the UK make it easier for migrants to avoid being exploited. They also reduce strains on public services as migrant workers know how to use them appropriately (for example going to a GP for non emergencies rather than to A&E). Migrant workers may go to a rage of organisations for help including the local CAB, trade unions, religious organisations and the local council, but with limited information and resources it is often difficult for these groups to respond to issues on their own. Consequently the development of partnership working across the public and voluntary sector is crucial.

At the regional level the South West Forum for Migrant Workers has been set up by South West Councils, with funding from the Home Office. The Forum brings together such organisations as the Equality South West, South West RDA, Jobcentre Plus, Citizens Advice, the Learning and Skills Council and a number of local authorities. The Forum is the steering group for the Equality South West Migrant Workers project. The Forum is Chaired by Nigel Costley, Regional Secretary of the South West TUC.

At local and sub-regional level a number of multi-agency groups have been set up in such areas as Cornwall, Devon, Wiltshire and Swindon. There are also groups in some districts such as North Devon and West Wiltshire.

One of the primary focuses of these groups has been the development of Welcome Packs for migrant workers, providing information on employment rights, accessing services, driving laws, the police, transport and much more in a range of languages. Other activities include the development of community outreach initiatives in North Devon, drop-in services in Wiltshire and multi-agency action against exploitation in Cornwall.

Preparing A Multi-Agency Response to Exploitation

Wiltshire District Migrant Worker Forums - Exercise Assist

Cases of exploitation of migrant workers by rogue gangmasters have occurred all across the region, but they don’t just concern enforcement agencies and trade unions. Even where an illegal gangmaster has been closed down there may issues in terms of providing accommodation and employment for their previously exploited workers and possibly their families. The issue is further complicated by different rules in relation to welfare entitlement and immigration status.

In February 2008 the Wiltshire District Migrant Worker Forums organized a training event for representatives from local public bodies to develop a multi agency approach and procedures to address these scenarios. The event had three main aims:

• Increase knowledge and understanding amongst all agencies regarding managed migration in Wiltshire with a focus on community integration and cohesion

§ Agree a multi agency approach in dealing with any issues that could arise as a result of a gang master losing their licence resulting in closure of a factory or similar operation in Wiltshire.

§ Develop an action plan designed to integrate agencies information sharing and develop strategic and tactical responses.

Delegates discussed and identified the role and responsibilities that each organisation would have in the event that a factory or similar operation was closed. The resources required to address such a situation and dealings with the media were also considered.

The event was attended by 80 representatives from across Wiltshire and by observers from Swindon and the wider region. Attendees generally found the event useful and informative, particularly in relation to introducing such organisations as the Gangmasters Licensing Authority and UK Border Agency. Members of the local Polish community were paid to attend to give their perspective on the issues discussed. One Polish attendee felt it was a good opportunity to speak about issues for the Polish community and useful to find out about the support available for migrant workers.

A number of issues were identified by attendees:

• The need to establish single points of contact within the relevant organisations

• The need for Funding (including a contingency fund)

• Role of emergency planning and its relationship to such incidents and partner agencies

• Media management

• Translation and interpreting - on the ground, access to information

• Community tensions and intelligence

• The need to build the capacity of partners

Supporting Employers

Information and Good Practice Event for Employers

Swindon Borough Council

Migrant workers play a vital role in supporting the region’s businesses but not all employers are aware of their responsibilities towards their overseas workforce.

This April Swindon Borough Council held a successful information event for local businesses on employing migrant workers. Speakers included representatives of the Health and Safety Executive, Jobcentre Plus and the Gangmasters Licensing Authority. A prominent member of the Polish community also told business attendees about life in Swindon from the point of view of a migrant worker.

Local businesses can now join a free virtual employers’ network to access advice and information and learn about future workshops.

For more information click here: http://www.swindon.gov.uk/community/community-asylummigration/community-asylummigration-migrantworkers/community-asylummigration-informationfrom2008conference.htm  

Understanding the Issues

Migrant Worker Awareness Training for Frontline Staff

Cornwall Migrant Worker Group

Supporting Migrant Workers and managing their impact on service provision are key objectives for public service providers and voluntary sector bodies. Providing the right advice first time is crucial not only to supporting workers but also to minimising costs. However not all frontline workers know exactly what services migrants are entitled to.

Consequently the Cornwall Migrant Worker Group (a multi-agency forum led by Inclusion Cornwall), with funding from the Cornwall Equality and Diversity Group and the Learning and Skills Council, commissioned Link into Learning to carry out a training programme for frontline staff on raising awareness around Migrant Worker issues.

The training programme was rolled out in four locations across the county: Truro, Blisland, Pendeen and St Austell. 131 frontline workers attended in total representing 81 different organisations primarily from the public and voluntary sectors.

Migrant Workers were asked to come and talk about their experiences to the attendees and there were also a session on myth-busting as well as a chance to discuss the Cornwall Migrant Worker welcome pack.

The programme has stimulated a great deal of interest in future courses including tailored courses for some private sector organisations. Inclusion Cornwall are currently looking for more funding to roll the project out on a much larger scale.

For more information please see: Cornwall Evaluation Form

Consulting New Migrant Communities

West Somerset

West Somerset District Council is keen to inform the area’s new migrant communities of the services they provide and discover the main issues that concern them. Consequently the Council are working in partnership with members of the Polish community to organise information and consultation events for Polish and other migrant workers.

The first event was held in June 2008 on "Housing and Benefits" and was attended by 25 Polish workers and involved a presentation on these two issues by Council Officers. The Council organised the event in partnership with a reference group made up of members of the local Polish community. They also received support from the local housing association (Magna WS), West Somerset CAB and the Somerset Polish Community Association.

Publicity took place through local employers, schools, gyms, doctor’s surgeries and libraries. A radio interview and press editorial were arranged and mailings were sent out to migrants on the electoral register. Polish handouts were given out at the event and translators were used. Attendees could also speak face to face with a benefits adviser after the event if they needed individually specific advice. Traditional Polish refreshments were also provided.

Feedback from migrant workers on the event has been positive. The translators were thought to be generally very helpful and the information provided was useful. Council officials also saw the event as informative and are using the feedback they received to help them develop a new electronic format for benefit forms.

The Council is looking to hold further events in the future and in particular to improve attendance and attract more "harder to reach" groups. Lukasz Ziolkowski, a Polish resident involved in organizing the event feels that "the events have been great but the challenge is to get more people to attend".

The Council also acknowledge the need for the migrant community to take up ownership of the events. A flip chart was available at the event allowing participants to write down their thoughts for future meetings. The Council and the reference group are in the process of drawing up a survey to ask members of the migrant community what their preferences would be for the next event.

For more information please contact Tom Bown, West Somerset District Council: TBown@westsomerset.gov.uk  

Combating Exploitation- A Partnership Approach

West Cornwall Migrant Workers Action Group

Exploitation by labour providers concerns not only the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) but also the Police, the Health and Safety Executive and the trade unions as well as local authorities.

The West Cornwall Migrant Workers Action Group (MIGWAG) was set up by Kerrier District Council in early 2005 in response to a large influx of Polish and Lithuanian workers in the agricultural sector, most of whom were living in caravans provided by their employers. The group included officers from Kerrier District Council (including benefits, environmental health, community safety, housing and the legal team), Penwith District Council, the police, Health and Safety Executive, GLA, HM Revenue and Customs, fire and safety and the probation services.

The group has built a joint database of local employers of migrant workers and numbers of caravans their employees. Teams of Council, police and fire service officers with Polish and/or Russian interpreters have used this list to make unannounced visits to sites of particular concern. In one of it first visits the group took questionnaires for migrants to fill in and found evidence of overcrowding and a lack of fire precautions and heating. Since then conditions have improved and information obtained enabled Polish police to shut down a rogue recruitment agency in Poland.

In 2007 50 sites were visited and a total of 419 migrant workers were contacted by the multi-agency teams during a specially organised "Action Week". In most cases it was just a case of informing employers what their obligations were, for example, personal protective equipment should be provided to workers free of charge, in other cases enforcement action was taken.

Operation Westport

In February 2008 the GLA and the West Cornwall MIGWAG carried out a major operation to protect migrant workers including vehicle stops, accommodation inspections and interviews with up to 80 workers. The operation found that nine licensed gangmasters were violating GLA standards including non-payment of wages, excessive accommodation charges and faulty minibuses used to transport workers to sites. Three homes of multiple occupancy were closed and workers were assisted in finding alternative accommodation, while 26 prohibition notices were passed regarding unsafe vehicles.

Consulting New Migrant Communities - West Somerset