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International Family Tracing

National Overview Report 2013 - 2015 March 2016 Susy Heighway

International Family Tracing - National Overview Report 2016

1

Contents

GLOSSARY .................................................................................................................................... 2

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................. 4

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 8

1. WHICH COMMUNITIES HAVE RFL NEEDS AND WHAT ARE THEIR CHARACTERISTICS? .... 9

1.1 National Trends ........................................................................................................................ 9

1.2 Asylum Seekers & Refugees ..................................................................................................12

1.3 Unaccompanied and Separated Children ..............................................................................14

1.4 Detainees in Immigration Removal Centres...........................................................................16

1.5 Conflict ....................................................................................................................................19

1.6 World War Two ........................................................................................................................19

1.7 Disaster ...................................................................................................................................20

1.8 Other Potential Service Users ................................................................................................21

1.8.1 Irregular Migrants ...........................................................................................................21

1.8.2 Foreign National Prisoners (FNP) ..................................................................................22

1.8.3 Countries at Risk ............................................................................................................ 23

2. AWARENESS & BARRIERS ......................................................................................................24

3. ‘SUCCESS’ RATES ....................................................................................................................25

CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................26

RECOMMENDATIONS & ACTIONS ...............................................................................................28

APPENDIX 1 ..................................................................................................................................34

APPENDIX 2 ..................................................................................................................................35


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Glossary

IFT International Family Tracing

RFL Restoring Family Links

Charter The International Family Tracing database in which cases are created,

stored and updated.

BRM The Beneficiary Relationship Management database in which Refugee

Support cases are created, stored and updated. (At the time of writing this

report BRM is used only by Refugee Support and not by IFT.)

Case When a tracing enquiry, Red Cross message or attestation request is

formally entered on Charter it becomes a Case. Each person will be given

one unique case number, even if they are requesting more than one

service. For example a person opening two tracing enquiries and one Red

Cross message will have just one case number for all three enquiries.

Looking at case numbers shows the number of unique people using our

service, but would not show all the instances of different service types, or

information on different sought people against one case.

Slice When a person has more than one enquiry against a Case on Charter

these show as separate ‘slices’. For example a person opening two

tracing enquiries and one Red Cross message would have one case

number and three ‘slices’. Slices also allow us to look at the number of

sought people per tracing case. So if there were 5 sought people for one

case this could be shown as 5 slices.

Enquirer The person whom we are opening the case for. They may be looking for

someone, want to send a Red Cross message, or may have an attestation

request.

Sought Person The person that is being looked for in a tracing case.

Outgoing Case Enquirer is in the UK.

Incoming Case Enquirer is in another country and sought person is in the UK.

RCM Red Cross Message

UASC Unaccompanied and Separated Children (<18) Please note this is not to

be confused with the Home Office terminology of UASC as

Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children. Within this report UASC will

only refer to asylum seeking children when used to reference Home Office

immigration statistics.


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Migration Where people become separated at the point of leaving the country of

origin.

Dispersal Where people become separated having left the country of origin together.

Disaster Cases Cases marked on charter as ‘Disaster’ include natural disasters (such as

earthquakes, hurricanes etc.) as well as boat disasters (migrant boats).

IRC Immigration Removal Centre

People Assisted The number of individual people assisted in an immigration removal

centre. Assistance to detainees is defined as a visit or phone call. This is

recorded on an Internal Report Form (IRF) which is recorded on Charter.

This figure would not take into account the number of different times one

person has been assisted.

Contacts/IRF The number of contacts we have had with an individual in an IRC and an

Internal Report Form (IRF) has been completed. This could be a phone

call or a visit and is not necessarily regarding an IFT service.

FNP Foreign National Prisoners

Section 95 Asylum Seekers can apply for support under Section 95 of the Support

Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 whilst they await a decision on their

application. Under Section 95 they can receive accommodation only

(where they are allocated accommodation in a dispersal area) or

subsistence only (where they receive cash to support themselves) or both.

‘Looked After’ Children In UK law children in care are referred to as ‘looked after

children’. A child is ‘looked after’ if they are in the care of the local

authority for more than 24 hours.


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Executive Summary

This report uses IFT caseload data (2013 - 2015) and secondary sources to identify existing

and potential needs for the IFT service. It also summarises the findings of local Area Needs

Assessments that have been conducted by Areas between 2011 and 2015. The findings

presented in this executive summary provide information on:

The communities identified as having RFL needs and their characteristics, including

nationality and geographic location within the UK. (1.1 – 1.8)

The level of awareness and understanding of the service, including barriers to the

service and recommendations for overcoming these. (2)

The number of successful cases 2013 – 2015 as an indicator of current capacity and to

assist in key messaging and managing beneficiary expectations. (3)

1.1 NATIONAL IFT TRENDS

2013 – 2015:

The service is growing with a 17% increase in the number of cases opened.

Attestation cases fell by 52%.

3,320 individual people opened cases with enquirers from over 100 nationalities.

88% of all cases were tracing (Total: 34871).

There was a significant increase in the number of cases opened for Eritreans. The

number of cases opened for Syrians, Ethiopians and Vietnamese also increased.

The Midlands and to the North of the UK are seeing the greatest increase in cases.

2015:

Cases with an Afghan enquirer accounted for nearly 40% or all cases.

Sri Lankans were the highest user of the attestation service.

1.2 ASYLUM SEEKERS & REFUGEES

Sudanese and Pakistani are nationalities in both the top ten of Refugee Support cases

and asylum applications for 2015 but not for IFT cases suggesting a potential need

within these communities. In addition Nigerian and Zimbabwean are in the top ten of

Refugee Support cases and Albanian, Bangladeshi and Indian in the top ten of asylum

applications but none are in the top ten of IFT cases.2

Sudanese, Iraqis and Afghans saw significant increases for Refugee Support cases or

asylum applications but not for IFT cases opened 2013 – 20152.

The UK spread of IFT cases is reflective of higher levels of service use in Areas that

have initial accommodation centres and in asylum seeker dispersal hot spots3.

1.3 UNACCOMPANIED AND SEPARATED CHILDREN (UASC)4

UASC IFT cases have increased by 52% 2013-2015 and accounted for 1 in 5 of all

cases in 2015 (19%).

51% of all IFT UASC cases are for 16-17 year olds and 14% are under 14 years old.

1 year old is the youngest age for an IFT UASC case opened in the last 3 years.5

There were significant increases in UASC asylum applications for Eritreans, Afghans,

Iraqis and Ethiopians 2013 – 20156.

1 Total cases when including service types is higher as individuals may use more than one service type per case number.

2 BRM Data 2015 & Home Office Immigration Statistics – Total Asylum Applications 2015

3 Home Office Immigration Statistics - Section 95 Support

4 UASC cases counted include outgoing where enquirer is UASC and incoming where SP is UASC.

5 Case 118955 –Incoming dispersal case for Afghan SP with year of birth 2013 and date case created 31.10.14.


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The South East, Wales and Scotland have seen the largest increases in the number of

‘looked after’ unaccompanied asylum seeking children 2013-2015. These areas have

seen minimal or no increase in IFT outgoing cases7.

1.4 DETAINEES IN IMMIGRATION REMOVAL CENTRES (IRCs)

1 in 20 of all outgoing IFT cases 2013 – 2015 was opened for someone in detention.

(But only 3% of all cases when including incoming cases.)

We have assisted 652 individuals in detention (2013 - 2015) and 16% have opened a

case for at least one IFT service.

Home Office statistics show a significant increase in the number of Albanians, Iraqis,

Sudanese and Syrians entering detention 2013 – 20158.

The UK spread of ‘people assisted’ in detention reflects the location of IRCs. However

we have ‘seen’ a relatively small number of people in Yarl’s Wood, Morton Hall and

Dungavel House compared to the number of people entering detention in those centres

in 2015. Yarl’s Wood had the more people enter in 2015 than any other IRC8.

1.5 CONFLICT CASES

At least 41% of all cases opened in 2015 were due to separation as a result of conflict.

1 in 5 was also UASC and 10% of 2015 conflict cases were WWII.

The Central African Republic, Pakistan, Yemen, Mexico and Nigeria are all ranked in

the INFORM Global Index for Risk Management top ten for conflict, but not in the IFT

top ten of 2015 conflict cases9.

1.6 WORLD WAR TWO

IFT data reflects a declining need for this service with a 33% drop in the number of

cases opened (2013 – 2015).

Almost 1 in 20 of all cases opened in 2015 was WWII (4%).

For outgoing cases the majority of enquirers are aged 60 -79, for sought persons in

incoming cases the average age is older with the majority aged 80-99.

2011 Census data shows areas with the highest median ages are located close to the

south coast, including Devon, Torbay and Eastbourne, but also East Riding and

Worcestershire are ranked in the top ten10.

1.7 DISASTER CASES11

Just 2% of all cases opened 2013-2015 have been due to ‘disaster’.

In 2015 we opened 15 cases looking for 22 people.

The highest number of cases opened in the three year period for one disaster was

because of the Philippines Typhoon in 2013 (25 cases).

The top five countries currently most at risk from natural disaster according to the

INFORM Global Index for Risk Management are the Philippines, Bangladesh, Japan,

China and Myanmar9.

6 Home Office Immigration Statistics – Total UASC Asylum Applications 2015

7 England: Department for Education – Looked After Children Statistics. Scotland & Wales: Freedom of Information Request Total UASC 31

st

March 2015. No statistics provided for Northern Ireland. 8 Home Office Immigration Statistics – People Entering Detention 2015

9 INFORM Index for Risk Management – Released 14.12.16 v.0.2.7 - www.inform-index.org

10 Office for National Statistics - Annual Small Area Population Estimates, Mid-2014 | 25 November 2015 (using 2011 Census Data)

11 Cases marked on charter as ‘Disaster’ include natural disasters (such as earthquakes, hurricanes etc.) as well as boat disasters (migrant

boats).


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1.8 OTHER POTENTIAL SERVICE USERS

Irregular Migrants – Victims of Trafficking12

3,266 potential victims were referred to the National Referral Mechanism in 2015. A

40% increase on 2014.

Albania, Vietnam and Nigeria remain the most common country of origin.

Sudan saw the highest percentage increase in referrals compared to the previous year.

England, Scotland and Northern Ireland all saw increases in referrals 2014 – 2015.

Wales saw the greatest percentage change with a 91% increase 2014 – 2015.

Foreign National Prisoners (FNP)

As at 31st December 2015 FNPs accounted for 12% of the prison population with a total

of 10,503 FNPs from 162 nationalities13.

Family contact has previously been raised by FNPs as one of the biggest problems they

face in prison (HM Inspectorate of Prisons 2007 follow up review)14.

The top 3 nationalities of FNPs at 31st December 2015 were Polish, Irish and Romanian.

However Albanian, Pakistani, Somali and Nigerian all featured in the top 1013.

The 2014 National Audit Office report shows FNPs are heavily concentrated in London

and the South-East15.

Countries At Risk

The top five countries currently most at risk from disaster (human & natural) according

to the INFORM Global Index for Risk management are Somalia, the Central African

Republic, Afghanistan, South Sudan and Yemen.16

2. AWARENESS & BARRIERS (Area Needs Assessments)

80% (16 out of 20) Areas have completed phases 1 and 2.

21 Area Needs Assessment reports have been completed from 2011 to 2015 with over

200 potential beneficiaries interviewed.

Awareness of the service, location of BRC offices and language were the main service

barriers identified.

Over 60 different ways to help overcome barriers to the service were raised in the

reports. The main recommendations were:

Increased promotion online (specifically social media), in radio and press

More local engagement with communities and referral organisations

Language and literacy considerations for marketing materials

Myth busting messaging

Introducing confidentiality statements

Offering off-site interviews (libraries)/assisting with travel costs

Recruiting volunteers/ambassadors with community links

12

National Crime Agency National Referral Mechanism Statistics End of Year Summary 2015. Published 11.02.16. 13

Ministry of Justice – Prison Population: 31December 2015 14

Source: International Family Tracing in Prisons, Literature Review and Scoping Interviews, Sep 2015 15

National Audit Office Report- Managing and removing foreign national offenders 22.10.14 16

Here the INFROM Risk has taken into account natural disaster, human conflict, vulnerability and lack of coping capacity. INFORM Index for Risk Management – Released 14.12.16 v.0.2.7 - www.inform-index.org


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3. ‘SUCCESS’17

All successful cases 2013-2015, including cases opened pre-2013:

451 ‘successful’ tracing cases with 698 people found by the Red Cross.

In addition 339 ‘successful’ cases and 615 people found by ‘other channels’.

Successful cases including only where the case was opened between 2013 and 2015:

11% of all tracing cases opened in this three year period have been ‘successful’.

There were 327 successful’ tracing cases with 504 people found by the Red Cross.

In addition 275 ‘successful’ cases and 481 people found by ‘other channels’.

A successful trace is the main outcome of ‘successful’ cases – accounting for 63%. In

16% of cases the sought person had died and 7% wanted no contact with the enquirer.

Cases are more likely to be ‘successful’ in the first year they’re opened (Opened 2013:

Yr1 8%, Yr2 6%, Yr3 1%).

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An IFT case is deemed successful when it is marked with a date found. Outcomes of successful cases include a successful trace, news of death and the sought person is found but no contact with the enquirer is wanted.


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Introduction

As part of the Restoring Family Links (RFL) Strategy for the Movement 2008-201818, all

national societies are encouraged to carry out regular needs assessments.

The British Red Cross Corporate Plan 2010-2015 supports this work and over the last five

years Areas have been conducting local RFL needs assessments to varying degrees.

In addition the International Family Tracing (IFT) UK Office have developed an annual

National Overview Report highlighting main existing and potential RFL needs across the

country and summarising findings from the local Area needs assessments. This is the

National Overview Report 2016 which is assessing trends, information and data from 2013 -

2015.

Aims & Objectives

The aim of the report is:

1. To summarise the main trends and characteristics of communities in the UK with

potential and existing RFL needs.

2. To inform future research and outreach planning at both national and local levels.

These aims will be achieved by answering the following questions:

Which communities have RFL needs and what are their characteristics? (Section 1)

What is the level of awareness and understanding of IFT and of the Red Cross and Red

Crescent movement within communities of potential service users? (Section 2)

What barriers do communities face in accessing the service? (Section 2.2)

What are the potential ways to overcome any barriers? (Section 2.3)

Methodology

The report utilises IFT caseload data from 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2015 to

ascertain existing need for the service. Growing and potential need is also identified through

analysing trends and changes over the three year period.

In addition a number of secondary sources are utilised to draw comparisons. This enables

potential gaps in IFT service provision to be identified and additional need to be highlighted

for further research and consideration in outreach planning. These secondary sources

include British Red Cross Refugee Support data and Home Office Immigration Statistics.

To assess levels of awareness and potential barriers to the service information from Area

Needs Assessments has been collated. Area Needs Assessments were completed between

2011 and 2015 and the process included direct engagement with potential beneficiaries and

referral organisations through interviews and focus groups. These Area Needs

Assessments are the source of the recommendations for overcoming service barriers

included in this report.

18

https://www.icrc.org/eng/assets/files/other/icrc_002_0967.pdf

https://www.icrc.org/eng/assets/files/other/icrc_002_0967.pdf


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1. Which communities have RFL needs & what are their characteristics?

This section will summarise the main trends and characteristics of communities in the UK

with potential and existing RFL needs over the last three years, using IFT caseload data

(Charter) and secondary sources.

The communities explored in this section are

as follows and have been selected by

identifying:

1. Those that we can see have existing

need through current caseload data.

2. Those with potential need identified

using a combination of secondary

sources and the parameters of the

service (people separated by conflict,

disaster or migration).

1.1 National Trends

This section will look at top line trends of the service 2013 - 2015 to build a picture of how IFT services are currently being used (existing need). It will also begin to identify potential need by looking at changes over the last three years and differences between incoming and outgoing cases.

1.1.1 Summary 2013 - 201519

Cases opened increased by 17% showing an increasing need for the service.

3,320 individual cases were opened for people from 106 different nationalities.

60% of cases were outgoing.

As people may use more than one service per case there were a total of 3,487 cases

opened when including separate service types.

88% of cases were tracing.

9% of cases were Red Cross message, 3% attestation and less than 1% safe & well.

Attestation cases fell by 52%. It is also noted that 55% of all attestation cases opened

since 2013 were in Area 34 – London.

1.1.2 Nationalities20 The top five nationalities of enquirer for 2015 were as follows:

Source: Charter Data - Unique case numbers only. Report pulled 22.02.16

19

Source: Charter Data -Unique Case Numbers Only and Charter Data – Including Case Slices. Reports pulled 22.02.16 20

In this section nationality refers to the nationality of the enquirer.

Afghan 38% Eritrean 10% Somali 6% Syrian 5% British 5% 63 Nationalities 469 Cases 129 Cases 73 Cases 65 Cases 61 Cases 439 Cases


10

The other nationalities in the top ten were Iraqi (4%), Congolese (DRC) (3%), Iranian (3%), Vietnamese (2%) and Ethiopian (2%)

There was a significant increase in the number of cases opened for the following nationalities:

13 – 15

% Change

2015 No. Cases

Eritrean 126% 270

Syrian 76% 151

Ethiopian 180% 58

Vietnamese 164% 54

Hungarian 167% 38

Albanian 275% 24

Source: Charter Data - Unique case numbers only. Report pulled 22.02.16

64% of all cases with an Afghan enquirer were incoming. This is much higher than

other nationalities in the top ten (for example Eritrean 10% and Iraqi 25%). Therefore,

even though Afghans are currently our main service user, it suggests there may still be

a greater need for our service for this nationality in the UK than is currently being met.

Since 2013 IFT have opened outgoing but no incoming cases for 28 nationalities.

Reasons for this may include limited resources and capacity in sister National Societies,

or conflict preventing IFT services from operating in the area. The top ones and number

of outgoing cases are: Vietnamese (54), Albanian (24), Chinese (9) Algerian (9),

Zimbabwean (7), Yemeni (7).

Do Certain Nationalities Use Certain Services?

The top five nationalities using each service across the three year period have been: Tracing: Afghan (40%), Eritrean (8%), Somali (6%), British (6%), Syrian (5%) (Total Cases: 3,076)

RCM: Afghan (18%), Eritrean (15%), Somali (12%), DRC (7%), British (11%) (Total Cases: 320)

Attestation: Sri Lankan (38%), Iraqi (25%), British (8%), Swedish (8%), Eritrean (3%) (Total Cases: 88)

1.1.3 Reason for Separation21 Conflict accounted for at least 40% of all new cases opened in 2015. Over 50% of new cases were due to migration and dispersal. Of these around 60% were people who became separated having left the country of origin together (dispersal) and around 40% were separated at the point of leaving the country of origin (migration). * Please note that in this instance ‘Detention’ is the reason for separation. This is not a reflection of the total number of detention cases in 2015.

21

It is worth noting that when looking at the reason for separation there may be some crossover. For example people may have been separated during migration, but conflict could be the reason for the migration in the first place and this would not be shown in the data.


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1.1.4 UK Area/Location22

Almost 30% of all outgoing cases opened between 2013 and 2015 were in Area 34

London. However, despite a growing number of enquiries this Area has seen a 4%

drop in cases opened during the three year period.

Areas 11 (Northern Scotland), 13 (East Scotland) and 26 (Herefordshire, Shrops &

Worcs) all opened fewer than 10 outgoing cases each. The map on the left shows the number of cases opened in each Area in 2015. The map on the right shows the difference in the number of cases opened for each area comparing 2013 to 2015. As shown areas in the Midlands and to the North of the UK are seeing the greatest increases in the number of cases opened. 11 Areas saw a fall in the number of cases opened over this period.

Source: Charter Data -Unique Case Numbers Only. Report pulled 22.02.16

Where do cases for our main nationalities of enquirer come from?

Enq. Nationality & Total 2015 Cases

Areas with highest number of outgoing cases opened for each Nationality (% of total cases for that nationality)

Afghan 167 Cases

36% A34 London, 17% A27 Staff, Warks & W Midlands

Eritrean 116 Cases

23% A27 Staff, Warks & W Midlands 19% A14 West Scotland 15% A22 Yorkshire

22

As 90% of incoming cases are marked as UKO, when analysing cases by Area only outgoing cases are included. Figures do not take account of the number of enquiries/client assists.

IFT Outgoing Cases – Difference in Number of Cases Opened 2013 -2015

IFT Outgoing Cases 2015

(Fall in no. cases opened)


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Somali 47 Cases

26% A15 Northern Ireland & Isle of Man 23% A34 London 13% A23 Lancs Mersey Grtr Manchester

Syrian 41 Cases

32% A14 West Scotland 15% A23 Lancs Mersey Grtr Manchester 12% A36 Kent & Sussex 12% A22 Yorkshire

Iraqi 39 Cases

18% A27 Staff, Warks & W Midlands 15% A14 West Scotland 15% A23 Lancs Mersey Grtr Manchester

Vietnamese 29 Cases

41% A34 London 17% A32 Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex

Congolese (DRC) 29 Cases

24% A34 London 24% A22 Yorkshire 17% A23 Lancs Mersey Grtr Manchester

1.2 Asylum Seekers & Refugees

As IFT does not request or collect any data regarding the immigration status of beneficiaries it is impossible to ascertain what level, if any, of existing cases may be from the asylum seeker and refugee community. However, since conflict represents one of the main reasons for families being separated and requesting RFL services in the UK (in 2015, approximately 40% of all opened cases were related to conflict), asylum seekers and refugees in the UK can be identified as potential service users and therefore as a community to explore within this report.

1.2.1 Nationality The following table shows a comparison of the top ten nationalities for IFT cases, Refugee Support beneficiaries and for asylum applications in 2015. Those highlighted show where a nationality is in one of the ‘top tens’ but not another and therefore where potential need for the service may exist.

IFT CASES Total 2015: 1,236

REFUGEE SUPPORT Total: TBA

ASYLUM APPLICATIONS Total 2015: 32,414

Enq. Nationality No. Cases

Asylum Apps Nationality

No. Cases

IFT Cases Nationality

Applications

IFT Cases

Afghan 469 Eritrean 2935 Eritrean 3,729

Eritrean 129 Sudanese 2588 27 Iranian 3,248

Somali 73 373 Iranian 1627 Sudanese 2,918 27

Syrian 65 Syrian 1511 Syrian 2,609

British 61 N/A Iraqi 675 Pakistani 2,441 5

Iraqi 52 Afghan 574 Afghan 2,240

Congolese(DRC) 37 181 Pakistani 535 5 Iraqi 2,185

Iranian 33 Nigerian 534 9 Albanian 1,504 15

Vietnamese 29 574 Ethiopian 526 Bangladeshi 1,084 4

Ethiopian 28 713 Zimbabwean 521 3 Indian 1,004 2 Source: Charter Data - Unique case numbers only. Report pulled 22.02.16, Refugee Support BRM 2015 Data, Home Office Immigration Statistics - Total Asylum Applications 2015 Published 25/02/2016

As can be seen in the table both Sudanese and Pakistanis are in the top ten nationalities for Refugee Support beneficiaries and asylum applications, but not for IFT cases. This


13

suggests a potential need for the service within these communities and further investigation is recommended to establish if this is the case.

Comparing 2013 to 2015 IFT, Refugee Support and asylum applications have all seen

an increase in numbers for Eritreans and Ethiopians.

Iraqis have seen a significant increase in asylum applications of 605% (an

increase of nearly 2,000 applications) but have only seen a slight increase in the

number of IFT cases opened (27%, 11 cases)

Sudanese and Afghan have also seen a high increase in asylum applications

(Sudanese c.300%, Afghan c.100%) but with only a small increase in the

percentage of IFT cases opened.

1.2.2 Location /UK Area23 The maps show:

Asylum seeker dispersal for 2015 using Home Office Section 95 Support data. This

map also highlights the location of UK initial accommodation centres (capacity

c.200)

The spread of Refugee Support cases in 2015.

The spread of IFT outgoing cases in 2015.

The data shows higher levels of existing need for the service around the initial accommodation centres and main dispersal areas, in the Midlands and toward the North of the UK, including West Scotland.

23

As 90% of incoming cases are marked as UKO, when analysing cases by Area only outgoing cases are included. Figures do not take account of the number of enquiries/client assists.

Areas that show a lower proportion of

cases compared to Home Office or Refugee

Support Data.

Initial Accommodation Centre (Capacity c.200)

Asylum Seeker Dispersal Home Office – Section 95 Support 2015

Refugee Support 2015 IFT Outgoing Cases 2015

Source: Home Office Immigration Statistics – Section 95 Support, Refugee Support BRM 2015 Data, Charter Data - Unique case numbers only. Report 22.02.16


14

It can be seen that Areas 21, 22, 24 and 12 all have a lower proportion of cases opened compared to the proportion of dispersal and refugee support cases in these Areas. This suggests there may be potential service users in these Areas who are not currently accessing our service.

1.2.3 Syrian Resettlement Scheme The Government fulfilled their commitment to bring 1,000 Syrian refugees to the UK before the end of 2015. From March 2016 onwards the Home Office foresee phase 2 beginning, where groups of hundreds arrive to progress towards the 20,000 target over a number of years.24 At this point we do not have access to a breakdown of the location of the 1,000 who have already arrived, or of planned locations for the remaining 19,000.

1.3 Unaccompanied and Separated Children

The total number of IFT cases opened regarding unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) in the UK has increased by just over 50% from 155 in 2013 to 236 in 2015. 80%

of these have been outgoing where the enquirer was an unaccompanied child, and 20% incoming where the sought person was an unaccompanied child.

1 in 5 (19%) of all IFT cases opened in 2015 were

regarding UASC.25

Just 1 year old is the youngest age for an unaccompanied child IFT case opened in the last three years.26 Tracing is by far the main service accounting for 95% of all UASC cases opened 2013-2015.

Source: Charter Data - UASC Unique case numbers only. (Age calculated at date case opened. Report pulled 23.02.16) and Home Office Immigration Statistics - Total Asylum Applications from UASC 2015 Published 25/02/2016.

1.3.1 Reason for Separation Dispersal was by far the main cause of separation for incoming cases when looking for an unaccompanied child in the UK, accounting for 85% of all cases. This is likely to be a reflection of the growing European migration crisis in 2015. For outgoing cases where the enquirer was an unaccompanied child the main reason given for the separation was conflict.

24

RS & IFT Service Development Group Update Report Q4 2015 p.14 Section 7.1 25

This takes into account outgoing cases where the enquirer is UASC <18, and incoming cases where the sought person is UASC <18. 26

Case 118955 –Incoming dispersal case for Afghan SP with year of birth 2013 and date case created 31.10.14.

16 - 17 14 - 15 <14

51% 35% 14%

34% 27% 9% Asylum Applications Total: 2,912

IFT Total: 249

OTffTfttTtTotalCases

2015


15

1.3.2 Nationality The following table shows a comparison of the top ten nationalities for IFT cases, Refugee Support service users and for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children in 2015. Those highlighted show where a nationality is in one of the ‘top tens’ but not another and therefore where potential need for the service may exist.

IFT CASES 2015 REFUGEE SUPPORT 201527

UASC ASYLUM APPLICATIONS 2015

Enq Nationality No Nationality No

IFT Cases Nationality No

IFT Cases

1 Afghan 91 Eritrean 30

Eritrean 694 2 Vietnamese 21 Afghan 18

Afghan 656

3 Eritrean 17 Sudanese 13

Albanian 456 4 Iraqi 9 Syrian 12

Iranian 208

5 Syrian 8 Iranian 8

Syrian 186 6 Albanian 7 Nigerian 4 0 Vietnamese 178

7 Iranian 5 Albanian 4

Iraqi 163 8 Ethiopian 5 Iraqi 4

Sudanese 142

9 Sudanese 4 Bangladeshi 2 1 Ethiopian 92 10 Somali 3 Pakistani 2 1 Egyptian 52 2

Source: Charter Data - UASC Unique case numbers only. Report pulled 23.02.16, Refugee Support BRM 2015 Data (where UASC box ticked) and Home Office Immigration Statistics - Total Asylum Applications from UASC 2015 Published 25/02/2016

From 2013 to 2015 Albanian’s had the highest number of UASC asylum

applications, accounting for 25% of all applications.28

The following nationalities showed significant increases in the number of UASC asylum

applications from 2013 – 201528:

Eritrean 563 applications / 430%

Afghan 506 applications / 337% Iraqi 163 applications in 2015 compared to 6 in 2013 Ethiopian 92 applications in 2015 compared to 7 in 2013

IFT also saw an increase in the number of cases for Vietnamese, Eritreans, Iraqis, and

Albanians but as you can see in the table above numbers are small so we are looking at

only very slight increases in actual case numbers.

1.3.3 Location / UK Area

Between 2013 and 2015 the South East, Wales and Scotland have seen the largest increases in the number of ‘looked after’ unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

27

This is BRM data for service users who had the UASC tick box ticked. This data has been flagged by the Refugee Support department as not

particularly robust. This should be taken into account when drawing any conclusions from this data BRM. 28

Home Office Immigration Statistics - Total Asylum Applications from UASC 2015 Published 25/02/2016


16

29

Source: Department for Education - Looked After Children Statistics - Total UASC at 31st March Published 10/12/15 & Freedom of Information Request - Looked After Children Statistics - Total UASC at 31st March Scotland & Wales. No statistics provided for Northern Ireland.

1.3.4 Future Considerations Affecting the UK UASC Community30

The government have announced they intend to work with the UNHCR to resettle

‘exceptional’ cases of separated children to the UK as part of the Syrian resettlement

scheme. Details are not yet available, and there is no commitment on total numbers.

The Home Office recently announced their intention to transfer approximately 600

unaccompanied asylum seeking children from Kent local authority to other areas across

the UK. Local authorities will be asked to volunteer but if enough do not come forward

then the Home Secretary may impose transfers on local authorities.

1.4 Detainees in Immigration Removal Centres

1 in 20 of all outgoing IFT cases opened 2013 – 2015 was opened for someone held in detention.31

Tracing is by far the main IFT service used by this group, accounting for 90% of all

cases opened 2013 – 201532.

29

As 90% of incoming cases are marked as UKO, when analysing cases by Area only outgoing cases are included. Figures do not take account of the number of enquiries/client assists. 30

RS & IFT Service Development Group Update Report Q4 2015 p.14 Section 7.2 & 7.3 31

Taking into account incoming cases as well this drops from 20% of outgoing cases to 3% of all cases. 32

Source: Charter Data – People assisted – With Slices. Report pulled 22.02.16

Department for Education - ‘Looked After’ UASC

Difference in number of cases March 2013 – March 2015

No statistics

available for

NI.

This suggests a growing need for IFT services for

UASC in these Areas. However these Areas have

seen minimal or no increase in IFT outgoing cases

opened for UASC from 2013 – 201529.

DIFFERNCE

‘Looked After’

UASC Mar 13 - 15

IFT UASC (Outgoing) Jan 13 -15

A34 London 315 5

A36 Kent & Sussex 195 -4

A32 Beds, Herts, Essex 100 4

A31 Cambs, Norfolk, Suffolk 40 1

A25 Lincs, Leics, Rutland,

Northants 50 0

A14 West Scotland 64 6

A12 Wales 48 6

The area that has seen the greatest increase in IFT

UASC outgoing cases is A27 – Staffs, Warks & W

Midlands with 17 more cases opened in 2015 than

2013.


17

The number of people assisted33 in IRCs has increased by 200% from 2013 to

2015 with a total of 652 people assisted across the three years. In addition there have

been 1,746 ‘contacts’ with these individuals34.

Of these 652 individuals 16% (104) have opened a case for at least one IFT service.

Whilst the number of detainees who’ve used an IFT service has increased each year,

20% of all new people assisted in 2013 have used an IFT service, but only 12% of new

people assisted in 2015 had by the end of 201535.

1.4.1 Nationality The following table shows a comparison of the top ten nationalities for the people we have assisted in IRCs (including those who did not use an RFL service) and Home Office statistics for people entering detention in 2015. Those highlighted show where a nationality is in the top ten of the Home Office statistics but not in the top ten nationalities of people we’ve assisted, and therefore where potential need for the service within particular communities may exist.

IFT – ‘People Assisted’ 2015

Home Office – People Entering Detention 2015

Enq. Nationality

No. Assisted Nationality No.

Detainees IFT No.

Assisted

1 Afghan 37 Pakistani 3382 2 Pakistani 36 Indian 3189 3 Bangladeshi 30 Albanian 1942 7

4 Nigerian 21 Bangladeshi 1748 5 Indian 16 Nigerian 1722 6 Eritrean 13 Iranian 1326 5

7 Syrian 11 Afghan 1245

10

Moroccan 9 Eritrean 1083 Nepali 9 China 1082 2

Somali 9 Romanian 1035 1

Sri Lankan 9

Sudanese 9

Source: Charter Data Using People Assisted-Unique case numbers only. 22.02.16 and Home Office Immigration Statistics-People Entering Detention 2015

33

Assistance to detainees is defined as a visit or phone call. This is recorded on an Internal Report Form (IRF) which is recorded on Charter. 34

This does not include contacts with people who were seen for the first time before 2013, where additional contacts occurred after 2013. 35

The figure for 2015 may increase over time. For example someone may have been first assisted in 2015 but may not decide to proceed with a tracing case until 2016.


18

There has been a significant increase in the number of people entering detention with the following nationalities 2013 - 201536:

Albanian: 722 more Albanians entering detention / 59%

Iraqi: 717 more Iraqis entering detention / 327%

Sudanese: 612 more Sudanese entering detention / 175%

Syrian: 742 more Syrians entering detention / 47%

IFT – ‘People assisted’ by IRC 2015 Home Office – People Entering Detention 2015

IRC No Assisted

% of Total IRC

No Ent. Detention

% of Total

Brook House 96 25% Yarl's Wood 3969 15%

Harmondsworth 86 22% Brook House 3913 14%

Colnbrook 55 14% Colnbrook 2940 11%

Campsfield House 34 9% Dover (Closed Nov 15) 2779 10%

Tinsley House 32 8% Campsfield House 2754 10%

The Verne 30 8% The Verne 2656 10%

Yarl's Wood 18 5% Morton Hall 2437 9%

Dover (Closed Nov 15) 19 5% Harmondsworth 2190 8%

Haslar (Closed Mar 15) 5 1% Tinsley House 1750 6%

Morton Hall 4 1% Dungavel 1464 5%

Dungavel House 1 0.3% Haslar (Closed Mar 15) 351 1%

Prison / YOI 3 1%

36

Home Office - Immigration Statistics - People Entering Detention 2015

1.4.2 Location/UK Area

The map shows the number of

“people assisted” in each UK Area

(by the Area that is currently dealing

with the case). It also shows the

location of UK Immigration Removal

Centres and the number of people

who entered detention in each centre

in 2015.

The table below shows the number of

“people assisted” in each detention

centre, as well as the number of

people entering each centre. Both are

sorted from highest to lowest.

People Assisted in IRCs 2015

By Area Currently Dealing With Case

Source: Charter Data - Using People assisted - Unique case numbers only. Report pulled 22.02.16 and Home Office Immigration Statistics - People Entering Detention 2015


19

IFT numbers are low, but we can see that Morton Hall and Dungavel House had particularly

low numbers. In addition Yarl’s Wood had the highest number of people enter detention in

2015, but a proportionally low number of ‘people assisted’ by us.

1.5 Conflict

By the very definition of the IFT service (tracing families separated by war and conflict) we know there is an existing need for our service within the conflict affected community. In 2015 at least 41% of all IFT cases were opened due to separation as a result of conflict37. The number of cases opened each year due to conflict has remained around 500 in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

1 in 5 of all cases opened in 2015 and marked as conflict were also UASC.

10% of all 2015 cases marked as conflict were also marked as WWII.

1.6.1 Nationality The table shows the top ten nationalities of enquirer for those cases opened and marked as conflict in 2015. Those highlighted have seen the highest percentage increase in the number of cases opened from 2013 to 2015, indicating increasing need within these communities.

Enq. Nationality

2015 No. Cases

13-15 % Change

Enq. Nationality

2015 No. Cases

% Change

1 Afghan 165 6% 6 British 29 28%

2 Somali 70 8% 7 Eritrean 21 50%

3 Iraqi 39 34% 8 Sudanese 18 80%

4 Syrian 36 89% 9 Sri Lankan 17 6%

5 Congolese (DRC) 34 55% 10 Polish 13* 34%

Source: Charter Data - Unique case numbers only. Report pulled 22.02.16 * All 13 cases are WWII cases

To assist us in identifying other communities affected by conflict (now or in the near future) we are able to use the global INFORM Index for Risk Management to identify those countries deemed most at risk of conflict38. The Central African Republic, Pakistan and Yemen are all identified within the top ten for projected and current conflict risk but do not feature in the top ten nationality of enquirer for IFT conflict cases in 2015. Further research is recommended to ascertain whether there may be potential or existing need for RFL services within these communities in the UK.

1.6 World War Two

The number of WWII cases has

decreased by 33% from 2013 to

2015 suggesting a declining need

for this service.

4%, almost 1 in 20, of all cases opened in 2015 was due to separation caused by WWII.

37

It is worth noting that this number may be higher. For example people may have been separated during migration, but conflict could be the reason for the migration in the first place and this would not be shown in the data. 38

INFORM Index for Risk Management. Released 14.12.16 v 0.2.7 - www.inform-index.org The INFORM index scores countries on a number of criteria. Here we are looking only at their risk of conflict.

http://www.inform-index.org/


20

In contrast to ‘all’ cases we’ve had more incoming WWII cases opened in the last 3

years than outgoing, with incoming accounting for 58%. (Though in 2015 the split was

50/50.)

1.5.1 Age For WWII outgoing cases the majority of enquirers are aged 60-79. The oldest has been 89. For sought people in incoming cases the average is older with the majority aged 80-99.

1.5.2 Nationality As the number of WWII cases has been in decline there’s no significant increase in cases from any particular nationality. British and Polish have been the main nationality of enquirer across the three year period accounting for 52% of all cases opened (68 British

Cases, 31 Polish cases), followed by German and Ukrainian with 10 cases opened each. For outgoing cases we have only opened cases for 9 nationalities in this time period, whereas for incoming we have opened cases for 19 different nationalities.

1.5.4 Location/UK Area With only a total of 79 outgoing WWII cases 2013 - 2015 there are low numbers and no obvious trends to draw conclusions from in terms of geographic spread of these cases.

Overall most Areas have opened between 1 – 10 cases in the 3 year period with the exception of A15 (Northern Ireland & Isle of Man) & A26 (Herefordshire, Shrops & Worcs) who have not opened any.

With a high age of enquirer and sought person for this type of case 2011 Census data is able to provide an insight into the areas of the UK where older sections of the population are based. The data highlights that areas with the highest median ages are mainly located close to the south coast of England. Specific areas include Eastbourne, East Devon, East Dorset and Pool. East Riding of Yorkshire and Worcestershire are also in the highest when looking at local authority data. With an older population than other areas of the UK these are likely to be good target areas for raising awareness of the IFT service for the WWII community.39

1.7 Disaster40

As with conflict cases we know there is a need within this community by the very definition of the IFT service. However only a small number of the cases opened each year are due to separation because of disaster.

39

Office for National Statistics - Annual Small Area Population Estimates, Mid-2014 | 25 November 2015 (using 2011 Census Data) 40

Currently cases marked on charter as ‘Disaster’ include natural disasters (such as earthquakes, hurricanes etc.) as well as boat disasters (migrant boats).


21

2013 - 2015

2% of all cases opened have been marked as disaster (59 cases).

The highest number of cases opened due to one disaster was because of the

Philippines Typhoon in 2013 (25 cases).

2015 Only

In 2015 we opened 15 tracing cases relating to disaster, looking for 22 people.

The highest number of disaster cases was marked as 'Migrant Boats' (8 cases in 2015 -

53% of all 2015 cases).

We had 3 tracing enquiries relating to the Earthquake in Nepal and 1 relating to floods in

India.

1 case out of all marked as disaster was also marked as UASC.

The following are the top five countries deemed at highest risk of natural disaster according to the INFORM Index for Risk Management41. In the event of a natural disaster rapid response is required and there is little time to implement outreach to the communities in need. Consideration should therefore be given to establishing links with the following communities in the UK so that a good level of awareness exists regarding RFL services and their role in assisting to restore family contact in the event of a natural disaster.

INFORM INDEX: COUNTRIES RATED VALUE 8 OR MORE FOR RISK OF NATURAL DISASTER

Eart

hquake

Flo

od

Tsunam

i

Tro

pic

al

Cyclo

ne

Dro

ught

Natu

ral

To

tal

Philippines 10.0 7.4 9.8 9.8 3.3 8.9

Bangladesh 8.6 10.0 9.4 7.1 5.4 8.6

Japan

10.0 3.6 10.0 9.9 0.0 8.5

China

8.0 8.4 9.4 8.8 4.6 8.2

Myanmar 9.3 9.8 9.3 7.0 0.0 8.2

1.8 Other Potential Service Users

1.8.1 Irregular Migrants

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) defines irregular migration as movement that takes place outside the regulatory norms of the sending, transit or receiving country. In the case of the receiving or destination country it is defined as those migrants who enter, stay or work without the necessary authorisation required under immigration regulations. However the IOM accepts there is no universally accepted definition of the term and that its use is often restricted to cases of smuggling and trafficking

42.

When analysing irregular migration statistics comparison with existing IFT cases are impossible as we do not record the immigration status of our beneficiaries.

According to the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) the latest estimate of the undocumented migrant population is 618,000 which comes from a 2009 study by the

41

INFORM Index for Risk Management. Released 14.12.16 v 0.2.7 - www.inform-index.org The INFORM index scores countries on a number of

criteria. Here we are looking only at their risk of natural disaster. 42

International Organisation for Migration – Key Migration Terms https://www.iom.int/key-migration-terms



22

London School of Economics. The population is extremely diverse and calls to the JCWI free legal advice line since 2012 have included43:

Callers from over 50 countries from Australia to Zimbabwe.

Age range of 12 to 75 years old.

Roughly even male/female split.

Just under 50% have a child under 18 in the UK.

The length of time in the UK ranges from less than a week to over 40 years.

1.8.1a Victims of Trafficking - National Referral Mechanism (NRM) 201544 There were 3,266 potential victims referred in 2015, a 40% increase on 2014. Potential victims were reported to be from 102 different countries.

1.8.1b Country of Origin44 The top countries of origin for NRM referrals in 2015 were Albania, Vietnam and Nigeria. 52% of Vietnamese referrals were for minors under the age of 18. Sudan saw the highest percentage increase compared to the previous year. Vietnam, Pakistan, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Afghanistan were also among the countries with the highest percentage increase in referrals from 2014 to 2015. Many of the main nationalities of enquirer for IFT cases are reflected in the statistics so we may already be engaging with this community, but as we do not record the immigration status of our beneficiaries this is impossible to confirm.

1.8.1c Location/UK Area44 England, Scotland and Northern Ireland all saw an increase in the number of referrals to the NRM in 2015. Wales saw the largest percentage increase of 91%.

NRM Total Referrals of Potential Victims in 2015

First Received in TOTAL 14-15% Change

England 2934 39%

Scotland 145 31%

Wales 134 91%

Northern Ireland 53 18%

The top three areas for referrals by the police were Greater Manchester (89 referrals), the Metropolitan Police (89 referrals) and the West Midlands (84 referrals). The main areas for referrals by local authorities were Staffordshire (20 referrals), Kent (18 referrals) and Northampton (16 referrals).

1.8.2 Foreign National Prisoners (FNP)

At 31st December 2015 FNPs accounted for 12% of the total prison population, that’s about 1 in 8, with a total of 162 nationalities. 95% were male and 5% female.45

A follow up review of FNPs conducted by HM Inspectorate of Prisons in 2007 found that family contact was the top issue of concern for FNPs.46

43

Undocumented migrant population figure and advice line statistics source: Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants. House of Lords Second Reading Briefing. Immigration Bill 2015: Undocumented Migrants. 16.12.2015 To date they have advised 900 migrants via their free legal advice line. 44

Source: National Crime Agency National Referral Mechanism Statistics, End of Year Summary 2015. Published 11.02.16 45

Source: Ministry of Justice - Prison Population: 31 December 2015 46

Source: International Family Tracing in Prisons, Literature Review and Scoping Interviews, Sep 2015


23

1.8.3a Nationality The top 3 nationalities of FNPs at 31st December 2015 were Polish, Irish and Romanian. However Albanian, Pakistani, Somali and Nigerian all featured in the top ten. There were also a high number of Iranian, Iraqi, Vietnamese and Afghan FNPs who were all within the top twenty47.

1.8.3b Location/UK Area In 2014 the National Audit Office reported that foreign nationals were held in over 120 prisons and IRCs across England and Wales, with FNPs fairly heavily concentrated in London and the South-East. Where possible, lower harm FNPs are allocated to 1 of 14 designated ‘category C’ prisons, including 2 FNP-only prisons in Maidstone (Kent) and Huntercombe (South Oxfordshire)48.

1.8.3 Countries at Risk

In order to identify countries that are most at risk from being affected by disaster we are able to use the global INFORM Index49. In this instance the risk of conflict and natural disaster are taken into account as well as vulnerability and ‘coping’ capacity. The following are the top ten countries deemed currently to be most at risk.

INFORM INDEX: COUNTRIES MOST AT RISK

COUNTRY

INFORM RISK

COUNTRY INFORM

RISK

1 Somalia 8.7 6 Sudan 7.2

2 Central African Republic 8.3 7 Iraq 7.1

3 Afghanstan 7.9 8 Congo DR 6.9

4 South Sudan 7.9 9 Myanmar 6.8

5 Yemen 7.5 10 Pakistan 6.7

Source: INFORM Index for Risk Management. Released 14.12.16 v 0.2.7 - www.inform-index.org

In terms of geographical location to assist us in outreach to these communities there is minimal information available. However the following areas are highlighted in the 2011 Census data for having the highest proportion of certain languages spoken, identifying strong pockets of a number of these communities.50

MAIN LANGUAGE BY LOCAL AUTHORITY Local Authority Language % Spoken

Bradford Pashto 0.7% Birmingham Pahari 1.1% Slough Panjabi 6.2% Slough Urdu 5% London - Westminster Arabic 5.7% London - Westminster Kurdish 1% London - Brent Somali 2% OTHERS ALSO OF NOTE: Rushmore Nepalese 6.2% Birmingham Pahari 1.1% London – Harrow Tamil 3.6%

Source: 2011 Census

47

Source: Ministry of Justice - Prison Population: 31 December 2015 48

National Audit Office Report- Managing and removing foreign national offenders 22.10.14 49

INFORM Index for Risk Management. Released 14.12.16 v 0.2.7 - www.inform-index.org 50

Source: 2011 Census

http://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/culturalidentity/language/articles/languageinenglandandwales/2013-03-04#concentration-of-languages-across-local-authorities




24

2. Awareness & Barriers

From 2011 to 2015 British Red Cross Areas have been completing Area Needs Assessments. As part of the process Areas engaged with different communities, identifying potential barriers to the service and ways that these could be addressed.

80% (16 out of 20) Areas have completed phases 1 and 2

21 reports have been completed51 with over 200 potential beneficiaries interviewed

Nearly 200 referral organisations have been contacted

Over 60 community representatives have been engaged from 17 communities

2.1 Barriers Community representatives taking part in the Area Needs Assessments were asked about potential barriers that would prevent them from using the service. The size of the following key words is dependent on the number of UK Areas that barrier was mentioned in52.

2.2 Overcoming Barriers Throughout the Area Needs Assessments over 60 different ways to help overcome barriers to the service were raised in the Area reports.

The following is a summary of some of the main recommendations. A full list is included as Appendix 2.

51

Some areas have completed more than 1 report so this is not a reflection of the total number of Areas that have completed a Needs

Assessment. 52

Full descriptions of the barriers are included as Appendix 1.


25

Increased promotion online (specifically social media), in radio and press

More local engagement with communities and referral organisations

Language and literacy considerations for marketing materials

Myth busting messaging

Introducing confidentiality statements including for interpreters

Offering off-site interviews (libraries) / assisting with travel costs

Recruiting volunteers/ambassadors with community links

3. ‘Success’ Rates

Having looked at existing and potential RFL service users in the UK it is important to analyse the capacity of the service. Looking at the number of ‘successful’ cases across the three year period helps to give an indication of the current capacity as well as assisting to manage expectations of the service. Furthermore success rates are a useful tool in promoting the service and championing the work of the British Red Cross RFL network to ultimately raise awareness and engagement with the service. An IFT case is deemed successful when it is marked with a date found. Successful tracing cases include all outcomes where a person is traced. It’s therefore important to remember successful cases will include those where a sought person has died, or has not wanted contact with the enquirer. The following figures are for all ‘successful’ tracing cases from 2013 to 2015, including cases that were opened prior to 2013:

451 successful tracing cases with 698 people found by the Red Cross53.

An additional 339 successful tracing cases with 615 people found by ‘other channels’. The following figures only take into account ‘successful’ tracing cases that were both opened and successful between 2013 and 2015:

11% of all tracing cases opened were ‘successful’ through the work of the Red

Cross (327 cases54).

504 people were found by the Red Cross.

In addition 275 cases were ‘successful’ and 481 people found by ‘other channels (9% of

all tracing cases in this period).

We have a higher success rate with outgoing cases, which account for 61% of

successful cases.

Cases are more likely to be ‘successful’ in the first year they are opened (Opened 2013:

Yr1 8% successful, Yr2 6% successful, Yr3 1% successful)

A successful trace was the main

outcome accounting for 63% of all

successful cases in this period.

53

An additional 42 cases are marked with a date found but currently have investigations ongoing. This may include, for example, cases where

an additional small piece of information is outstanding before the case is finally marked as ‘successful’. 54

An additional 25 cases are marked with a date found but currently have investigations ongoing.


26

Health and welfare and compassionate cases had the highest success rates, with around 50% success of those opened. Dispersal and disaster cases had some of the lowest success rates.

Reason for separation – ranked from most successful to least

Total Cases 13-15

% Successful

Total Cases 13-15

% Successful

Health & Welfare 68 53% Disaster 59 8%

Compassionate 110 42% Detention 43 5%

Conflict 1505 13% Dispersal 923 2%

Migration 610 11% Trafficking 2 0%

Conclusion

Communities with Existing or Potential RFL Needs

Overall the data shows a growth in the service with a 17% increase in the number of IFT

cases opened comparing 2013 to 2015. Cases opened for unaccompanied and separated

children in the UK have seen a particular increase of 52% across this period.

The only parts of the service that have seen a fall in cases opened are WWII (33% drop)

and attestation cases (52% drop), suggesting additional outreach and awareness is needed

here, or possibly a declining need for this type of case within the UK.

On the whole IFT data is reflective of the data from secondary sources with IFT main

nationalities of enquirer represented in most comparison data. The UK spread of cases

shows growth in similar Red Cross Areas to that of Refugee Support and asylum seeker

dispersal Section 95 data, indicating we are meeting the growing potential need in these

areas.

However, in some places there are key differences in the IFT data when compared to

secondary sources. These highlight communities and Areas for targeted outreach to

increase service awareness and levels of use among particular communities.

For example there was a significant increase in the number of Refugee Support cases and

asylum applications for Sudanese, Iraqis and Afghans across the three year period that was

not reflected in significant increases in IFT cases.

In addition, data from the Department of Education for the number of ‘looked after’

unaccompanied asylum seeking children showed increases in seven British Red Cross UK

Areas (A34, A36, A32, A31, A25, A14, A12) from 2013 to 2015, however these Areas have

seen minimal or no increase in IFT outgoing cases for unaccompanied children during this

time.


27

It is noted that in some instances further investigation may be needed to ascertain whether

additional need has been identified, or whether there may be underlying reasons that RFL

services are not required for these communities.

Full details of communities and Areas for future investigation or targeted outreach are

highlighted in the Recommendations and Actions section of the report.

Awareness & Barriers

Local Area Needs Assessments (conducted from 2011 to 2015) show low levels of

awareness for the service, with all Areas who completed reports identifying this as a key

barrier for beneficiaries using RFL services. In addition the location of the British Red Cross

offices and language barriers were the other two main reasons identified for people not

accessing the RFL services. A number of recommendations for addressing these barriers to

the service were put forward in the Area Needs Assessments and these are summarised in

the Recommendations and Actions section of the report.

‘Success’ Rates55

Overall more cases across the three year period have been successful by the work of the

Red Cross (11%, 32756 cases) than by ‘other channels’ (9%, 275 cases). The main outcome

has been a successful trace with this accounting for 63% of all successful cases. (These

figures only take account of tracing cases that were both opened and successful between

2013 to 2015.)

From 2013 to 2015 a total of 1,313 people were found (698 by the work of the Red Cross

and 615 by ‘other channels’). (This figure includes cases that were opened prior to 2013.)

55

An IFT case is deemed successful when it is marked with a date found. Outcomes of successful cases include a successful trace, news of death and the sought person is found but no contact with the enquirer is wanted. 56

An additional 25 cases are marked with a date found but currently have investigations ongoing. This may include, for example, cases where an additional small piece of information is outstanding before the case is finally marked as ‘successful’.


28

Recommendations & Actions

Recommendation Consideration/Action By

OUTREACH & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Awareness: With low levels of awareness identified in the Local Area Needs Assessment a strong national communications plan and continued local outreach by Areas are recommended. Considerations for additional capacity requirements from any resulting uplift will also be required.Future communication plans and outreach should take into account the recommendations from Area Needs Assessments for overcoming barriers. The main recommendations are summarised as follows but a full list is included as Appendix 2:

- increased promotion online (specifically social media), in radio and press - more local engagement with communities and referral organisations - language and literacy considerations for marketing materials (Language was also one of the top 3

barriers to the service identified in Area Needs Assessments) - myth busting messaging

Service Access Officer Communications Team Areas

Awareness & Trust:

Recruiting volunteers from specific communities and local ambassadors with good community links to champion the service are both recommendations to come out of the Area Needs Assessments to help tackle awareness and trust.

Areas

Specific Target Communities:

The following communities have been identified within the report as: - showing an increase in IFT cases suggesting a growing need among existing communities or - showing high existing levels or strong growth in secondary source data suggesting a potential need among particular communities These communities are therefore identified for consideration for future outreach, promotion and local community engagement activities.

Eritrean, Syrian, Ethiopian and Vietnamese An increasing number of IFT cases highlights an increasing need for RFL services among these communities



29

Sudanese and Pakistani These nationalities are in both the top ten of Refugee Support cases and asylum applications for 2015 but not for IFT cases suggesting a potential need within these communities. (In addition Nigerian and Zimbabwean are in the top ten of Refugee Support cases and Albanian, Bangladeshi and Indian in the top ten of asylum applications but none are in the top ten of IFT cases.)


Sudanese, Iraqi, Afghan These nationalities have seen significant increases for Refugee Support cases or asylum applications but not for IFT cases opened 2013 – 2015. Whilst Afghan is currently the main nationality of enquirer for IFT cases, increases in Refugee Support and asylum applications for this community are not currently reflected in similar increases in IFT case load. Furthermore, compared to other communities, a disproportionate number of the Afghan cases opened have been incoming, suggesting a need within this community in the UK that my not currently be being met.


UASC IFT cases have increased by 52% 2013 – 2015 showing a growing need for RFL services for this community in the UK


UASC: Eritreans, Afghans, Iraqis and Ethiopians There were significant increases in UASC asylum applications for these nationalities 2013 – 2015. In addition Albanian’s had the highest number of UASC asylum applications, accounting for 25% of all applications across this period.


Detainees in IRCs- Albanians, Iraqis, Sudanese and Syrians Home Office statistics show a significant increase in the number of people from these nationalities entering detention in IRCs 2013 – 2015.

Development Officer


30

The Philippines, Bangladesh, Japan, China and Myanmar These are the top five countries currently most at risk from natural disaster according to the INFORM Global Index for Risk Management. Good community links within the UK would be beneficial to raise awareness of RFL services within these communities to enable rapid support in the event of a future disaster.

Areas

CAPACITY CONSIDERATIONS AND AREAS IDENTIFIED FOR TARGETTED OUTREACH

A27- Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, A14 - West Scotland, A23 - Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester

The Midlands and to the North of the UK are seeing the greatest increase in cases (in-line with asylum seeker dispersal figures). Considerations will need to be given to capacity to ensure the growing need can continue to be met.

A27- Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands A14 - West Scotland A23 - Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester

A21 – North East and Cumbria, A22 – Yorkshire, A24 – Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Cheshire Comparing Refugee Support, Section 95 Support and IFT data shows a lower proportion of IFT cases opened in these Areas and suggesting a higher need for our service may exist here than is currently being met.

A21 – North East and Cumbria A22 – Yorkshire A24 – Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Cheshire

UASC: A34 – London, A36 – Kent & Sussex, A32 – Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, A31 – Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, A25 – Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire, A14 – West Scotland, A12 Wales

The South East, Wales and Scotland have seen the largest increases in the number of ‘looked after’ UASC 2013 - 2015. These areas have seen minimal or no increase in IFT outgoing cases opened for UASC.

A34 – London A36 – Kent & Sussex A32 – Beds, Herts, Essex A31 – Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk A25 – Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire A14 – West Scotland A12 Wales


31

Detention: A32 - Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, A25 – Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northants, A14 - West Scotland

The UK spread of ‘people assisted’ in detention largely reflects the location of IRCs. However a relatively small number of people have been assisted’ in Yarl’s Wood, Morton Hall and Dungavel House compared to the number of people entering detention in those centres in 2015. Yarl’s Wood had the more people enter in 2015 than any other IRC.

Development Officer A32 - Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex A25 – Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northants A14 - West Scotland

A38 Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Channel Isles, A35 - Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Surrey, A27 - Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, A22 - Yorkshire Whilst IFT caseload shows a declining need for this service (33% drop in cases opened 2013 - 2015) with a high age for enquirer and sought persons for these cases it is noted there may only be the opportunity of a few more years to assist service users in this community. 2011 Census data shows areas with the highest median ages are located close to the south coast of England (including Devon, Torbay and Eastbourne. East Riding and Worcestershire are also ranked in the top ten.) These are therefore identified as potential target areas for raising awareness of the RFL service within the WWII community.

A38 Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Channel Isles A35 - Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Surrey A27 - Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, A22 - Yorkshire

THE SERVICE & PROCESS

Location and ‘visibility’ of BRC offices:

This is one of the top 3 barriers to the service identified in Area Needs Assessments. Recommendations from area reports to help address this barrier are offering off-site interviews (for example libraries, meeting rooms) and assisting with travel costs.

Areas

Trust & Confidentiality: Introducing confidentiality statements to the tracing form and for interpreters as a tool to help tackle the concerns around trust and confidentiality for potential service users were both recommendations in the Area Needs Assessments.

Development Manager IFT Casework Manager


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ADDITIONAL RESEARCH AND INVESTIGATION

Attestation – 52% drop in cases from 2013 to 2015 Further investigation is required to identify whether the reason for the fall in caseload is due to a lack of awareness of the service or a declining need within the UK. (It is noted that Iraqis have been the second highest user of this service across the three year period, and asylum applications for this nationality have seen over a 600% increase in that time.)


Detention:

Only 16% of ‘people assisted’ in detention have used an IFT service. Further investigation is required to determine what the need is for the remaining 84% and whether this could be met by other BRC services.

Development Officer Areas

Vietnamese (54 cases), Albanian (24 cases), Chinese (9 cases), Algerian (9 cases), Yemeni (7 cases), Zimbabwean (7 cases)

Further research is recommended to determine the reason for outgoing but no incoming cases between 2013 and 2015 for these nationalities. As well as potentially identifying a service need for these communities with sister National Societies, findings may also increase the likelihood of a ‘successful’ outgoing case for these nationalities, or assist BRC in how they are able to respond to cases from these nationalities.

Service Access Officer

The Central African Republic, Pakistan, Yemen, Mexico and Nigeria

These countries are all ranked in the INFORM Global Index for Risk Management top ten for conflict, but not in the IFT top ten of 2015 conflict cases. Further research is recommended to identify whether these communities exist in the UK with an RFL need, and if so what barriers may be in existence.

Service Access Officer Areas

FNPs:

Nationalities of our existing service users are represented within the top ten nationalities of FNPs (Albanian, Somali, Nigerian) suggesting a potential need for our service within this community.

Development Officer Areas


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Irregular Migrants – Victims of Trafficking:

Albania, Vietnam and Nigeria remain the most common country of origin for NRM referrals. Sudan saw the highest percentage increase in NRM referrals compared to the previous year. Whilst IFT do not collect data regarding the immigration status of beneficiaries consideration should be given when dealing with cases from these particular communities as to whether further assistance and signposting could aid with additional support.

Areas/Caseworkers

Future Needs Assessments The following nationalities have been identified within this report as having growing or potential RFL needs and therefore are recommended as communities for engagement in future Area Needs Assessments: Pakistani, Sudanese, Iraqi, Eritrean, Syrian, Ethiopian and Albanian (particularly UASC for Albanian.)

Areas


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APPENDIX 1

Detailed descriptions of the barriers to using the IFT service as raised in the Area Needs Assessment 2011 – 2015.

KEYWORD BARRIER DESCRIPTION

No. AREAS (where barrier was

mentioned out of the 19 that completed the

NA process)

BRC - Organisation & Process Awareness Lack of awareness of the service 16

Location Location of BRC office 12

Christian Red Cross seen as a Christian organisation 4

Trust Trust in BRC (e.g. seen as part of UKBA) 9

Contact Lack of knowledge on how to contact BRC 2

Time Worry it takes a long time 5

Process Lack of knowledge of how tracing works 7

Trust (Sister National Society) Trust (in sister National Society) 9

Confidentiality Worries about confidentiality 7

Judgement Fear of being judged by BRC (e.g. for not trying to trace family sooner) 1

Personal

Language Language and literacy 10

Safety Worry about safety (of self and family members) 8

Intimidated Intimidated by a large organisation 3

Psychosocial Psychosocial reasons (e.g. enquirers may want to avoid reminders of past trauma; fearful of outcome) 2

Social

Stigma

Concerns over the stigma that might be attached to family in the home country over visits from outsiders (e.g. Red Cross volunteers). 2

Community Expectations Community expectations (e.g. that enquirer uses community’s own routes, or maintains family contact). 2


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APPENDIX 2

Full list of the solutions to barriers identified in Area Needs Assessments 2011 to 2015.

RAISE AWARENESS, MEDIA & PROMOTION

Advertising & Promotion on/in:

Social media - particularly Facebook

Websites & forums

National community media (Apparently most community based media are national rather than local so important to do national outreach as well)

Local/community media (radio/TV/web/newspapers)

Free papers (Metro)

Radio broadcasts (To target those with low literacy levels

Specific places to target posters/leaflets/presentations/info sessions

Schools/Children centres/Youth centres/After school clubs

Shops (In particular hair salons, barbers & nail shops mentioned by the Zimbabwe community in Yorkshire

Referral organisations

GPs

ESOL classes

Religious institutions

CLEAR training facilities

Sure Start Centres

Drop-in centres

Counselling sessions/mental health support groups

Food banks

Community project workshops

Ethnic Minority and Traveler Achievement Service (EMTAS)

Shops selling international phone cards & on the phone cards

Libraries

Job Centres

Organisations that work with refugees, migrants, unaccompanied minors, homeless people, destitute asylum seekers, people living with HIV/AIDS, community organisations.

Presentations to other organisations & local authorities

Solicitors & social workers (address trust issues)

Build community relations:

Faith group leaders and community organisations

Network & engagement in local area

Engaging relevant communities locally

Importance of face-to-face/spread the word directly within community (low levels of literacy)

Local events (including black history month)

Hold community information sessions & workshops


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MARKETING MATERIALS & MESSAGING

Materials

Language specific leaflets & posters (One area specifically mentioned Albanian, Shona and Sorani Kurdish, Swahili, Kikongo, French and Lingala)

Integrated leaflets including other BRC services (especially for referral orgs)

Posters

Ensure stand out - lots of organisations will have leaflets/posters in the places we're targeting

Case studies

Red Cross stories to go on referral organisation & Local Authority news bulletins

IFT presentations for clients & organisations

Alternatives to printed materials for illiterate - audio and visual:

* Radio

* Presentations

* Face to face/workshops/info sessions

Messaging

Free service

Independent from Government

Confidential

Explain how the service works

Make it clear that interpreters are available

Contact details

Drop in time & locations

Include cross and the crescent emblems

LOCATION

Improve visibility of BRC offices

BRC assist with travel costs

Interviews could be held in local libraries (meeting rooms)

PROCESS

Tracing form confidentiality statement - clear, simple and plain language

Interpreters to sign code of conduct including confidentiality clause (show to beneficiaries)

Telephone interpreting can be more appropriate as more anonymised.

Updates should be every 3 months (not 6)

STAFF/VOLUNTEERS

Train other community workers (ambassadors)

Train and certificated red cross ambassadors

Recruit volunteers who:

* have good understanding of specific cultures

* have good understanding of local councils

* have good understanding of community voluntary organisations

* are from specific communities

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