Family Early Help
Do Afghan Refugees Have a Right To Work?
Yes they do. This is because the UK Government has granted them indefinite leave to remain.
Bear in mind this applies to Afghan refugees who were evacuated in August 2021. There are Afghan refugees in Camden who arrived via unsafe route before the evacuation, and have an asylum application or appeal in process. They currently do not have leave to remain and therefore have limits to their rights to work. Check here for more info on different immigration statuses.
What Do We Need to Start Thinking About Work?
In order to work in the UK, you need a National Insurance number (NI number). If the refugee has a biometric residence permit, it should be printed on that card.
You cannot work or receive benefits without your NI number.
You can find more information about obtaining an NI number here
You might also want to explore developing English language skills in order to get ready for employment. You are entitled to free English language tuition if
you are unemployed and looking for work.
You can contact the Camden ESOL advice service to help you get started.
https://www.camden.gov.uk/camden-esol-advice-service
Remember that Afghan refugees in bridging hotels could be moved by the Home Office at very short notice, and are unlikely to be in Camden long-term. This isn't a reason to delay seeking employment or training, but it is a factor to think about.
If a Parent or Young Person Wants to Explore Employment or Training
Renaisi are now onsite at the hotels providing support around access to and readiness for employment. If you'd like to book an appointment for a parent, please contact Emmanuel Oloruntola (on Outlook).
Connexions can also provide advice and guidance for young people on employment, education and training. Please contact Miriam Hatter (on Outlook).
You could also provide information about the wide range of employment support in Camden. You can find more details here
And here are some London organisations who provide employment and training support for refugees:
Breaking Barriers
Supports refugees (with status) into employment. They provide advice and guidance on finding a job, and English language training, including business English, IELTS, English for Work and Customer Services English. They run workshops and work in partnership with businesses to develop recruitment routes for refugees.
http://breaking-barriers.co.uk/
Chatterbox
Started by an Afghan refugee dedicated to helping find work that makes use of refugee talents. They train and employ displaced people to teach their native languages online and in person - to university students, organisations and individuals - and pay them the Living Wage, providing meaningful employment and help with integration
CIRCLE Project - Groundwork
Circle is a Community Integration project. Sessions include ESOL and conversational English, expert employment advice (job search support, guidance writing CVs, interview practice, workshops on UK work ethics, with employment drop-ins for personal action plans in Hackney, Angel and Wembley, various days/times), social-cultural activities such as cooking, crafts, gardening and furniture upcycling. They are based in Hackney, Angel, Barnet and will soon be delivering activities in West London
https://www.groundwork.org.uk/projects/circle/
Hope for the Young
Offers help to young people up to the age of 25, removing obstacles to refugees’ and asylum-seekers’ education through mentoring and financial support.
https://hopefortheyoung.org.uk
Laamiga
Community-based and run charity run by women for women from migrant and minority backgrounds who want to become financially independent and gain more meaningful employment. Includes mentoring and training
TERN
The Entrepreneurial refugee network founded in 2016 to help refugees set up their own businesses. Helps with advice, mentoring, access to business networks and finance.