Helping refugees to settle in South Lanarkshire

South Lanarkshire has played aiding refugees from Syria.

In November, we reported it had helped resettle 46 Syrian families since December 2015.

In total, 170 individuals – including children born here – have been helped to escape the civil war which has seen almost 13 million people displaced.

Refugee resettlement programme advisor Andrea Sinclair previously spoke to the council’s equal opportunities forum about the resettlement programme and said: “The families are geographically all over South Lanarkshire. Up to 240 individuals will be resettled in South Lanarkshire by March 2020.

“It is a big learning curve for them and for us. The job is really about thinking if you went to a foreign country and had nothing, what would a lead role in you need.

“We work with families for what they need us for but the average is between six or 12 months.”

The Syrian Civil War began in March 2011 and the UK began resettling refugees in December 2015.

By March 2020, up to 3000 Syrians will have been re-homed in Scotland through the resettlement scheme which is funded by the Home Office.

For the 5.6 million refugees of the conflict, the majority are currently in neighbouring countries including Turkey and Lebanon.

For those who are resettled in the UK, the process starts long before they step foot on a plane. Lots of paper work has to be filled out and the resettlement team liaise with the Home Office to find out about the family.

The resettlement team then contact the housing department, registered social landlords and the police to find a suitable home.

Health services, schools and the DWP are all contacted to identify any issues that may crop up.

An intensive two-week period follows when the families arrive. That can include emergency health treatment if any unknown problems come to light.

Bank accounts are opened and benefits applied for so the family have a source of income until they can settle in and get jobs.

If necessary, English lessons are set up and help to quit smoking offered as the cost of smoking in Scotland is far greater than in Syria.

Neighbours in South Lanarkshire been “fantastic” and that had helped the families settle in.

A number have already gone into employment – including with the council – or obtained an apprenticeship. Several have gone to college and university to further their studies.