A lot to learn: refugees, asylum seekers and post-16 learning
Accessing learning is an important aspect of refugee integration. For those arriving in England in search of safety, studying English and gaining new skills and qualifications can help them communicate, become more employable and make friends. This report discusses research that explores the experiences of refugees and asylum seekers in England and publicly-funded post-16 learning providers (excluding higher education) in delivering and accessing learning.
The issues under investigation in this project have been identified through previous research and evidence gathered by the Refugee Council in our everyday work which highlighted some of the difficulties refugees and asylum seekers have faced when trying to access learning. Prior to conducting the research, the Refugee Council was aware of a number of refugee and asylum seekers being incorrectly charged examination and registration fees for courses where they should have benefited from exemptions. The rules regarding entitlements to study and eligibility for fee remission are complex and are subject to regular changes, which increases the possibility of misunderstandings on the part of learning providers, individuals wishing to study and organisations providing advice and support to refugees and asylum seekers. This research was designed to combine the perspectives of refugees and asylum seekers and learning providers to evidence the impact of policy and practice on those who wish to engage in learning.
The aims of the research that is discussed in this report were:
- to examine learning providers’ admissions policies, support mechanisms and experiences of working with refugees and asylum seekers; and
- to explore refugees’ and asylum seekers’ experiences of accessing post-16 learning.
Published : 31st January 2013
Author : Lisa Doyle and Gill O’Toole [ More From This Author ]
Publisher : Refugee Council [ More From This Publisher ]
Rights : Refugee Council
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