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Aberdeenshire Syrian new Scots’ Partnership Phase One Evaluation June 2016

Katie MacLean, Syrian new Scots’ Resettlement Coordinator

Phase One Evaluation

Working together to resettle Syrian new Scots’ families in Aberdeenshire



Aberdeenshire Syrian new Scots’ Partnership

The Aberdeenshire Syrian new Scots’ Partnership was formed in October 2016 to ensure that Syrian refugee families arriving in Aberdeenshire

would be welcomed with a full, well resourced, knowledable, effective and sustainable resettlememt package. The partnership operates in

parallel with a public sector strategic group responsible for planning key services and responses. Partnership members mapped out what

resources and outcomes they could offer and the Aberdeenshire Syrian new Scots’ Integration Plan was produced. The plan was used as the

foundation for welcoming and resettling the first nine Syrian familes (35 people) who arrived in Aberdeenshire between February and April 2016.

With planning now underway for Phase Two arrivals in the autumn, an evaluation of the plan, outcomes and impacts was undertaken to ascertain

key improvements moving forward. There is clear evidence of successes and positive impacts underpinned by a strong and effective partnership

that excelled in working creatively and making change happen. Syrian families have shared that they feel welcome, safe and valued in

Aberdeenshire and that they have been supported to overcome barriers and access relevant resources and information. All are now active

learners and citizens with some now moving on to college and employment. Partners continue to ensure that barriers are challenged if not

always completely overcome and new solutions are sought on a daily basis. Several key improvements are needed, including a more indepth

evaluation with families after Ramadan, improving access to healthcare and the sharpening of Phase Two Benefits’ and Housing processes.

The Aberdeenshire Syrian new Scots’ Partnership is seeking change to ensure that it is fit for purpose moving forward and is appropriately

structured and resourced. Further discussions are required with Aberdeen City Council and partners to explore alternative models of delivery.

Planning for initial resettlement is quite different to planning for the developing needs of refugee families in North East Scotland.

Proportionate resources are now being introduced with the formation of the Syrian new Scots’ support team, Money Advice Worker and

increasing Third Sector support. This additionality will be key to delivering on the improvement actions below and ensuring learning has been

applied prior to our next Syrian families arriving in the autumn. Evaluative outcomes have been captured using group and individual feedback

sessions that included partners, staff, familes and volunteers.

“In my opinion, this has been one of the best examples of partnership in action I have ever experienced – well done to all”

Ritchie Johnson, Director of Business Services



Housing Housing Housing Housing FFFFamilies will be provided with amilies will be provided with amilies will be provided with amilies will be provided with safe, secure and sustainablesafe, secure and sustainablesafe, secure and sustainablesafe, secure and sustainable housing that will enable them to settle and progress with family lifehousing that will enable them to settle and progress with family lifehousing that will enable them to settle and progress with family lifehousing that will enable them to settle and progress with family life

StrengthsStrengthsStrengthsStrengths

Appropriate and good quality housing stock

identified

Momentous team effort to prepare houses for

arrival in a few days

Private Sector Leasing agreements in place

Inverurie is a good location for resettlement

Temporary team worked well to ensure houses

were fit for purpose

Accessible housing provided for families with

disabled family members

‘Can do’ attitude from Housing colleagues

Good support from Magpie via the Donation

Plan

Housing issues addressed regularly and

effectively through Drop-ins and Home Visits

AMIC distributed Syrian food packs to all houses

prior to arrival

WeaknessesWeaknessesWeaknessesWeaknesses

Single family housing in Westhill too isolating

Time frame for preparing houses too tight

One tenancy is potentially unsustainable if the

tenant progresses to work

Time implication of negotiating with challenging

landlords

Risks associated with private sector renting

Housing processes not in place to respond to

refugee resettlement

Rent arrears letters sent to families in error

Lack of central storage for housing equipment

and donations

Furnishing Services – poor quality

Meter readings not taken

Keys were problematic

Timescale for visiting and preparing houses was

too tight

ImprovementsImprovementsImprovementsImprovements

Housing process flowchart to be developed with

timescales and matrix actions

Ensure families will not be isolated in a

resettlement area

4 s Housing Officers (Syrian new Scots) to be

recruited (Arabic speaking preferred)

Ensure adequate time for pre arrival planning and

resourcing of houses

Produce an essential Home Equipment list

Produce a refugee Housing Strategy

Increase PSL to 2 years as required

Challenge poor quality of Furnishing Services

Ethnic Minority Housing Worker could deliver more

focused housing support for Phase Two

Explore options for Aberdeen AMIC based

volunteers to travel to Inverurie and Westhill

Improved training for volunteers on Halal

compliance



CFINE, North Aberdeenshire Foodbank and

AMIC planning and deliveries to homes prior to

arrival

Huge quantities of food sourced from the public

helped by ASWR and Volunteers TESCO Food

Collection

Computer’s in all homes donated by Aberdeen

University

Heavy and unplanned workload for Housing

Officers

Non Halal food delivered

Less AMIC volunteers than expected to help

with families settling into houses due to the

distance from Aberdeen

Some quantities of food disproportionate and

required unplanned sorting time

Not able to source fruit & veg via Fare Share

Essential items of equipment for a Syrian family

not provided (i.e. mincer)

Develop essential shopping list for each family to

minimise waste and duplication

Consult with Phase One families on food

preparations for Phase Two

Explore possibilities of buying fruit & veg from

CFINE via a social enterprise initiative

Process of working with Magpie to be reviewed

Two sets of keys required for each house

More transparent explanation on housing

processes and lease conditions produced for

tenants

Employment, Benefits & Financial InclusionEmployment, Benefits & Financial InclusionEmployment, Benefits & Financial InclusionEmployment, Benefits & Financial Inclusion Families will be supported to access benefits, entitlements, financial, training and employment opportunities to enable them Families will be supported to access benefits, entitlements, financial, training and employment opportunities to enable them Families will be supported to access benefits, entitlements, financial, training and employment opportunities to enable them Families will be supported to access benefits, entitlements, financial, training and employment opportunities to enable them to progress with to progress with to progress with to progress with

family and working life, when appropriatefamily and working life, when appropriatefamily and working life, when appropriatefamily and working life, when appropriate


Initial Benefits’ appointments were well

organised and worked smoothly

Dedicated DWP contact person invaluable


Despite claims being processed by DWP not all

progressed to payment

Three months on, some families are still not in

receipt of all benefits


Develop an Aberdeenshire Housing & Benefits

process flowchart

Refine Engage card issuing and activation

Explore securing additional resources to develop

financial inclusion services and projects with



Drop-in has been useful for updating benefit

claims and details – good support from all staff

involved

DWP came to the families and minimised stress

and discomfort

Having access to interpreters to complete forms

Jobcentre plus staff felt a key part of the

resettlement project and that they had played

there part in a wider social platform

NESCU provided incredible sector leading

financial services to families

One man has now progressed to employment

and four people will progress to college in

August

NESCU responded to the individual needs of

clients

Bank of Scotland appointments were straight

forward and accounts active in seven days

Initial Jobcentre plus appointments supported

by staff and interpreter and carried out by link

adviser

Calls to DWP and HMRC require interpreter,

family and staff time and are costly

Disproportionate amount of time spent on

Council benefits process because of delays

Rent accounts took time to be created so

Housing benefit was delayed

Families being unsure about Benefits, money

and the different roles played by staff

Disproportionate costs to NESCU in resourcing

travel to Inverurie and support to families

Delay in NESCU Engage cards and activation

problems

Support staff not confident or knowledgeable

about Benefits and implications

NESCU, Citizens’ Advice Bureau and Aberdeenshire

Council

Familiarise staff and interpreters with relevant

forms and processes

Earlier access/application to main stream bank

accounts

Jobcentre plus to formalise follow up

sessions/attend drop in sessions to answer any

benefit queries, or start work related dialogue

Secure Money Advice Worker (1 day/week)

Money Advice Worker to record all future

applications and monitor outcomes to enable

challenge

Family Budget Sheets for all in Arabic with

estimates on arrival

Benefits CLPL



EaEaEaEarly Years, rly Years, rly Years, rly Years, EAL, EAL, EAL, EAL, Schools & Further/Higher EducationSchools & Further/Higher EducationSchools & Further/Higher EducationSchools & Further/Higher Education Children and young people will be fully integrated into Aberdeenshire early years, schools, colleges and Children and young people will be fully integrated into Aberdeenshire early years, schools, colleges and Children and young people will be fully integrated into Aberdeenshire early years, schools, colleges and Children and young people will be fully integrated into Aberdeenshire early years, schools, colleges and universities and will receive the support universities and will receive the support universities and will receive the support universities and will receive the support

and learning they require to be successful, confident , responsible and effective learners and citizensand learning they require to be successful, confident , responsible and effective learners and citizensand learning they require to be successful, confident , responsible and effective learners and citizensand learning they require to be successful, confident , responsible and effective learners and citizens


Excellent commitment and ‘can do’ approach

from Inverurie Academy and Kellands PS

EAL, support staff and schools worked well

together to ensure a smooth transition for

children and young people into school and early

years’ setting

EAL staff supplied families with essential picture

dictionaries in early stages of arrival

All Academy classes receiving Syrian students

had a cultural awareness session in advance,

and this has very much helped ensure a positive

transition. This was led by the EAL service.

All children and young people enrolled in school

within five weeks

Inverurie Academy provided all young people

with a Flexible Learning Pathway including EAL,

ESOL and partner inputs

GREC and Montgomery DEC delivered cultural

awareness sessions in schools and shared

valuable learning & teaching resources prior to

arrival


No central guidance from ECS on supporting

refugee children and young people

Challenges in supporting children with needs

associated with conflict and torture

EAL assessment process and enrolment to be

managed separately

Lack of knowledge in primary of how to support

young people through war related trauma

School, clothing grants were paid after children

started school

Process of sourcing cheap uniforms was overly

complex

Cultural awareness sessions were cancelled by

schools not receiving Syrian children in Phase

One


Education & Children Services to consider a

strategic approach to supporting refugee children

and where this sits within ECS

Identify an Education lead who can focus on the

sourcing and sharing of refugee related Education

resources

Develop EAL Flowchart on pre and post school

enrolments processes

Signpost families to Academy back to School Bank

Work with benefits staff to ensure School Clothing

Grants are in place

Explore further CLPL opportunities

Inverurie Academy to provide ESOL in the timetable

for the first time in 16/17

Improved coordination of Cultural Awareness

sessions in relation to Syrian refugees, in schools

Chaplaincy teams could be used to support young

people and families in school if required



Adult learners progressing to Higher education

in August 2016

Free use of the Inverurie Learning Centre is

conducive to creating a positive learning

environment and culture

Young people started school with uniforms, bags

and equipment

Links and communication between EAL, school

and ESOL staff has been invaluable

Education staff participation in Freedom from

Torture CLPL

A co-ordinated response from further and

higher education institutions in the North East

A commitment between RGU and the University

of Aberdeen to work collaboratively to best

support new Scot’s families

Universities meeting with Aberdeenshire and

Aberdeen City Council to better understand

issues and barriers to higher education and

explore opportunities for support

Pre-entry University mentoring for individuals

considering higher education, including support

with navigating the UCAS system and providing

support with personal statement writing

Aligning support with existing Wider Access

initiatives e.g. school outreach work, on campus

events and programmes

Organising a welcome to RGU campus event for

families

Provision of Career Information Advice and

Guidance

Connecting academic staff with families to further

academic research

Becoming a member of the ‘Article 26 Network; to

access resources and share best practice with other

universities

Share best practice within Scotland e.g. Open

University ‘Bridges Project’ in Glasgow



Health & Social CareHealth & Social CareHealth & Social CareHealth & Social Care Families will receive the health and social care services they need to Families will receive the health and social care services they need to Families will receive the health and social care services they need to Families will receive the health and social care services they need to enable them to thriveenable them to thriveenable them to thriveenable them to thrive


Excellent NHS lead and joint planning

Good multi-agency approach responding to

known health needs

Good coordination of complex health

appointments between Aberdeenshire Council,

NHS and Interpreters

Working with only 2 GP Practices helped build

relationships and practices

Good communication and planning with

Learning Disability teams / social work / care

management / OT prior to and after arrival

GP practices cooperative dealing with planned

and unplanned requests

Positive Health Visitor links made for under 5’s

Dental appointments coordinated well and links

made with Oral Health Team

Initial optometry tests carried out ongoing

referrals to local opticians made

Effective NHS Briefing delivered


Internal sharing of information between Health

& Social Care teams could improve

Language Line not always used when required

Inconsistent use of interpreters by NHS for ARI

appointments

Communication barriers between families and

GP Practice Reception Staff

Families unable to phone in for same day

appointments

Reliance on staff / volunteers to deal with

emergency appointments in the first few

months – no system in place

Pressures allocating double appointments in GP

Practices

Unexpected high level of emergency admissions

in the first few months of resettlement

UNHCR Case Profiles didn’t always reflect

medical requirements

Dental Practice temporarily closing and

alternative practices are inaccessible


Explore H&SC communication systems

Request more detailed UNHCR health profiling

Ensure a minimum of 2 family housing locations to

minimise isolation and impact on mental health and

wellbeing

Work with partners and services to determine how

they can access interpretation services for follow up

appointments and overcome language barriers

Share NHS 24 Arabic Audio help

Develop clear guidance on use of Interpreters &

Language Line for NHS appointments

Include Mental Health Team in planning

Review relevance of Social Work reps on the

Corporate Steering Group

Introduce health Flashcards for use in primary and

secondary health care settings

Initial optometry screening not essential – proceed

straight to Optician appointments



NHS Information Day delivered to the Syrian

families at the Drop-in by NHS Equality &

Diversity staff. All NHS practitioners present and

barriers to accessing health services explored

Health literature translated into Arabic

Verbal Arabic translation of NHS 24

Families still reluctant to make own

appointments at GP Practice

Secure alternative Dental Health provision during

temporary closure period

Continue to build relationships with GP practices

To build good practice

Culture & FaithCulture & FaithCulture & FaithCulture & Faith Families will have the opportunity to participate in a range ofFamilies will have the opportunity to participate in a range ofFamilies will have the opportunity to participate in a range ofFamilies will have the opportunity to participate in a range of cultural and faith activities, to suit their needscultural and faith activities, to suit their needscultural and faith activities, to suit their needscultural and faith activities, to suit their needs


Mosque open and welcoming to all refugees

Mosque Imam always ready to give and advise

Syrian new Scots

Advice and presentations given to new Scots by

the Mosque on cultural shifts and behaviours

Space in a local church identified as a meeting

and prayer space in Inverurie

A prayer room has been made available within

the Academy, decorated by young Syrians


Transport to Aberdeen Mosques is costly, time

consuming and challenging for new arrivals

Concern about sharing of relevant information

and balancing confidentiality

Difficulty of churches across denominations

working together and sharing information


Mobilise volunteers to support with transport to

AMIC

Clarity on data sharing approvals and levels of

confidentiality

Explore mechanisms for keeping all faith groups

engaged and informed to maximise involvements

and support

Create a churches’ welcome pack for future phases

containing information on how local churches can

support families



Social & CommunitySocial & CommunitySocial & CommunitySocial & Community Families will receive the social and community support they need to integrate and participate fully in community lifeFamilies will receive the social and community support they need to integrate and participate fully in community lifeFamilies will receive the social and community support they need to integrate and participate fully in community lifeFamilies will receive the social and community support they need to integrate and participate fully in community life


Police Scotland involvement in the arrival

process was a positive opportunity to engage

with families early and be seen as friendly and

approachable

Low key arrival ensured community safety

Strong and quality support from temporary

support staff helped families settle

Church and Mosque welcome packs created by

volunteers and distributed to houses pre arrival

GREC support services mapping completed

AMIC Welcome Event and volunteer support

Aberdeen FC football training and events

Cultural and educational trip to Edinburgh and

participation in the Huntly White Wood Festival

AMIC 24 Hour Hotline invaluable

Local Arabic speaking community volunteers


No ongoing opportunity for Police Scotland to

engage with families – but this may be

appropriate?

Spread the Welcome Pack preparations wider to

include more church congregations

Welcome Packs to be more personal – with a

letter or card from person to person

Tripartite befriending project didn’t work

Large proportion of AMIC befrienders and

volunteers reluctant to travel to Inverurie

No dedicated support staff other than the

Coordinator to support families in the first three

months of resettlement

Wi-Fi was a priority for all but we were not

prepared

Lack of volunteer coordination

More community support could be maximised


Consult with Phase One arrivals re the ongoing role

of Police Scotland with families; Drop-in, info

sessions etc.

Encourage supported use of public transport at an

earlier stage between Aberdeen and Inverurie /

Westhill

Begin Welcome Pack preparations earlier, once

families and locations are known

GREC to revisit support services mapping and share

when appropriate

Continued focus on integrating families in Arabic

and English speaking groups, clubs and societies

Formation of a permanent Syrian new Scots team

Coordination of Volunteers

Explore options, strengths and weakness of

increased community dialogue prior to arrivals



English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Adults will receive the ESOL support Adults will receive the ESOL support Adults will receive the ESOL support Adults will receive the ESOL support they need to overcome language and communication barriers and to enable them to progress with they need to overcome language and communication barriers and to enable them to progress with they need to overcome language and communication barriers and to enable them to progress with they need to overcome language and communication barriers and to enable them to progress with

employment, training, educational and social opportunitiesemployment, training, educational and social opportunitiesemployment, training, educational and social opportunitiesemployment, training, educational and social opportunities


Creative cross sector ESOL team established at

very short notice

Tutors and volunteers working as a Syrian ESOL

team to plan, design and deliver

SLA with WEA to part deliver ESOL in Inverurie

NESCOL provided free and accessible

accommodation and resources at very short

notice

Strong ‘can do’ approach by CLD, WEA and

NESCOL

CLD ESOL assessment used rather than Oxford

Testing as planned – valued input from NESCOL

Syrians are enthusiastic and participate well in

learning using their new language

Use of What’s App Syrian new Scots’ group is

effective at aiding communication, confirming

appointments and responding to emergencies


More ESOL classes needed to progress language

skills

Inadequate planning time

Learners in mixed ability classes

Large classes

Adult learners falling behind young learners


Develop volunteering opportunities for Syrian’s to

develop their English

Review and evaluate ESOL delivery in June 16 and

redesign in response to progressions and in

preparation for Phase Two

(GREC keen to develop a Conversation Café in

Aberdeen City with partners)

Conversation Café being planned in Inverurie

Reassess learners in relation to ability

Match volunteers to learners

ESOL CLPL required

CLD to lead on ESOL delivery

Continue to strong links and resource sharing with

Academy but focus next ESOL phase on adult

learners



One learner has progressed to FT ESOL at

NESCOL Aberdeen Campus in August

Three learners have progressed to PT ESOL at

NESCOL Aberdeen Campus in August

Strong links, information and resources sharing

between Inverurie Academy, EAL and ESOL staff

Rights, Responsibilities & ResourcesRights, Responsibilities & ResourcesRights, Responsibilities & ResourcesRights, Responsibilities & Resources Families will be fully informed of their rights and the responsibilities of living in Aberdeenshire and ScotlandFamilies will be fully informed of their rights and the responsibilities of living in Aberdeenshire and ScotlandFamilies will be fully informed of their rights and the responsibilities of living in Aberdeenshire and ScotlandFamilies will be fully informed of their rights and the responsibilities of living in Aberdeenshire and Scotland


AMIC provided cultural shift and legislative

information to families

Aberdeenshire Council and the Imam worked

closely to ensure young people understand laws

and behaviours

Cultural Awareness Session arranged by

Aberdeenshire Council included rights and

responsibilities

Living & working in North East Scotland and

Police Scotland Guide translated into Arabic

Arabic Welcome Packs in every home

R&R sessions carried out with young adults


Impact of Integrate Grampian Forum was

reduced because the group only meets quarterly

Families didn’t read the information in the

Welcome Pack on Rights & Responsibilities

Young people have shown that they are

unaware of legal differences between Syria and

Scotland

Young Scot information not available in Arabic

Cultural Awareness session focused too much

on differences and generalised perceptions

Welcome Packs not fully used by families - too

much information / literacy issues


Increase in cultural, legal and rights information

delivered to families in person, after arrival.

Develop group work delivery rather than paper

based information

Revise the Welcome Pack to include less and more

focused essential information – Phase One families

will edit

Include audio information

Continue to share resources on wordpress site

Develop shared site for families to access resources

and information



Interpretation & TranslationInterpretation & TranslationInterpretation & TranslationInterpretation & Translation Families will have the interpretation and translation services they require to access essential services and resourcesFamilies will have the interpretation and translation services they require to access essential services and resourcesFamilies will have the interpretation and translation services they require to access essential services and resourcesFamilies will have the interpretation and translation services they require to access essential services and resources


Appropriate translation and interpretation

services in place

Vast majority of interpretation requests are

handled by agencies (GREC & OWL)

Few Arabic speaking volunteers assist at the

Drop-in and occasionally in a non-formal setting

Good / excellent Aberdeenshire Council

coordination of interpreters and appointments

Effective communication and strong links

between agencies, Aberdeenshire Council &

interpreters has resulted in positive outcomes

for families

Agencies flexibility and commitment to delivery

is excellent

Interpreters trained by agencies in preparation

for Syrian families arriving

Interpreters have contributed to supporting

families beyond their professional roles

Interpreters have been brilliant!


Interpretation & translation sessions are

expensive and are the biggest area of

expenditure

Families have little English so interpreters are

required much more than expected

Huge challenges of accessing interpretation in

emergency situations – particularly health

emergencies

Not all Arabic speaking volunteers utilised

After appointments were in place, all NHS

appointments were removed from GREC which

was unnecessary change

More transparency and open process between

NHS and agencies

Application to TP&I for Arabic Hotline

unsuccessful

Last minute nature of some bookings


Explore alternatives to procuring expensive and

unsustainable external interpretation services

Recruitment and training of Arabic speaking staff

and volunteers

Aberdeenshire, City and AMIC to evaluate in more

detail the need and resource requirement for a

Phase 2 Arabic Hotline

Clarify GREC & OWL relationship and booking

process in relation to NHS requirements

Continue to explore ways to improve engagements

with interpretation services in relation to Phase two

planning and coordination



Interpreters have been flexible and willing to

work with partners to respond to emerging

needs

Interpreters’ Appointment Schedule allows

everyone to plan together and well in advance

Charitable SupportCharitable SupportCharitable SupportCharitable Support Families will have the charitable support required if need arisesFamilies will have the charitable support required if need arisesFamilies will have the charitable support required if need arisesFamilies will have the charitable support required if need arises


AMIC supported families with the generous

purchase of prams, toys and motorised scooters

Donation Plan in place via NESCU and facilitated

by the Church of Scotland

AMIC provided families with essential items to

enable prayer

Magpie provided essential support to making

houses ready prior to families arriving

Church of Scotland congregations donated

money generously and essential items

CFINE donated duvets essential for warmth


Foodbank donations were overly generous

Having to allocate precious time to sorting

donations

School equipment sourced from personal funds

rather than the Donation Plan

Lack of storage space for key donations and

equipment


Improve publicity and marketing of the Donation

Fund to include schools, charities and businesses

Identify a partner to lead on Donation Plan

marketing

Ensure adequate funds are available to cover

essential school / work costs

Improve planning to ensure charitable support and

donations are appropriate and proportionate

Discuss storage options with partners



Safety & StabilitySafety & StabilitySafety & StabilitySafety & Stability Families will feel, and be safe in their homes and communitiesFamilies will feel, and be safe in their homes and communitiesFamilies will feel, and be safe in their homes and communitiesFamilies will feel, and be safe in their homes and communities


Arrival and Airport plan was detailed, exact and

executed perfectly

Airport, Police, Council and Home Office worked

well to ensure safe, protected and smooth

arrivals and resettlement to houses

Use of Hotel was positive and essential as a

stopover for food and comfort breaks

Detailed and transparent post arrival planning

allowed all partners and staff to understand

their roles and responsibilities

Police Scotland Environmental Scanning in place

National Safer Communities Unit providing

oversight, monitoring of social media etc.

Aberdeenshire SF&RS and Council pioneered

translation of Fire Safety documentation now

used all over Scotland

Home fire safety visits undertaken

Staff well briefed and prepared – excellent effort

to support safe integration


Late Home Office involvement in Airport Arrival

Planning

Awareness of CPT staff – briefings relied too

much on email

Vulnerable Persons’ Database was only activated

following an incident

Ongoing inputs by the Imam were stopped due

to transportation issues


Clarify Phase Two arrivals process with Home Office

well in advance

Face to Face Briefings and identify a local lead –

possibly CPT Inspector

Add information to VPD and similar IT systems as

soon as families’ details are confirmed

Explore transportation options between Inverurie

and Aberdeen

Schedule in home Fire Safety visits immediately

after arrival

VPD completed for all future Phases



CrisisCrisisCrisisCrisis In the face of crisis, families will be supported to overcome barriers and In the face of crisis, families will be supported to overcome barriers and In the face of crisis, families will be supported to overcome barriers and In the face of crisis, families will be supported to overcome barriers and seek positive and sustainable solutionsseek positive and sustainable solutionsseek positive and sustainable solutionsseek positive and sustainable solutions


Good partnership emergency planning and

sharing of information

Partners worked hard, sensitively and

appropriately to ensure ‘crisis’ was not allowed

to develop

Crisis Grants accessed swiftly due to non-

payment of Benefits

AMIC response to supporting families with

health & religious issues

24 Hour Arabic Hotline

Strong partnership working between AMIC and

Aberdeenshire Council

Churches’ response to crisis requests were swift

and exact with essential items being delivered to

those in need i.e. blankets and clothing


GREC counselling service available but not

accessed

GREC casework service not available in

Aberdeenshire due to funding

Level of demand on AMIC exceeds resources

available


Ensure families are aware of the GREC counselling

service and how to access it

Explore funding options to extend casework service

to Aberdeenshire

Re-clarification of the role of AMIC and levels of

support on offer



Press & Press & Press & Press & CommunicationCommunicationCommunicationCommunication Partners will work together to ensure families are appropriately protected from press intrusions and thatPartners will work together to ensure families are appropriately protected from press intrusions and thatPartners will work together to ensure families are appropriately protected from press intrusions and thatPartners will work together to ensure families are appropriately protected from press intrusions and that good news stories, positive publicity and good news stories, positive publicity and good news stories, positive publicity and good news stories, positive publicity and

public information is well managed internally and externallypublic information is well managed internally and externallypublic information is well managed internally and externallypublic information is well managed internally and externally


Press intrusion minimised prior to arrival

managed by effective Communications Team

Partner Communication Strategy in place

Families protected from ongoing media

intrusion

Comms team involved in all stages of planning

and discussion from pre to post arrival and

beyond

100% positive press reporting in articles relating

to Aberdeenshire Syrian new Scots

BBC Scotland General Assembly coverage of

Shire families very positive and sensitive

Formation of Wordpress site

Social media support via ASWR re donations and

volunteer support

Politicians kept regularly updated


Partners could have been provided with more

support at early stages pre arrival

Joint Comms plan with Moray & City would have

been preferable

Internal communications within Aberdeenshire

Council could have been improved


Evaluate Comms process with families to determine

future strategies

Ensure resettlement is built into future Comms

plans

Increase media interest in the Donation Plan and

Good News Stories

Develop joint Comms Plan for future phases

Improve internal communications processes



Syrian new Scots’ Partnership Syrian new Scots’ Partnership Syrian new Scots’ Partnership Syrian new Scots’ Partnership Partners will woPartners will woPartners will woPartners will work together to maximise resources, experience and knowledge to create and sustain effective and sustainable rk together to maximise resources, experience and knowledge to create and sustain effective and sustainable rk together to maximise resources, experience and knowledge to create and sustain effective and sustainable rk together to maximise resources, experience and knowledge to create and sustain effective and sustainable resettlement resettlement resettlement resettlement

packages for Syrian new Scots’ families in Aberdeenshirepackages for Syrian new Scots’ families in Aberdeenshirepackages for Syrian new Scots’ families in Aberdeenshirepackages for Syrian new Scots’ families in Aberdeenshire


Strong partnership working

Well attended and regular planning sessions

Contributions and participation from all partners

Creative solution finding

Supportive and effective partnership

Wide and reflective representation

Effective chairing, coordination and facilitation

Donation Plan development and management

Good communication between City, Shire &

Moray

New Scots’ Integration Plan

Phase One Evaluation process

Active partnership


ASWR withdrew prior to families arriving due to

refocusing of priorities on international support

Duplication of commitment for partners

between City and Shire

No client group representation

Partnership was focused on preparing for

arrivals rather than next stages

Funding opportunities limited due to being

council led rather than Third Sector


Consider options for City & Shire joint partnership

and facilitation

Update the New Scots’ Integration Plan with

learning from Phase One

Define frequency and pattern of meetings

Clarify role of the partnership moving forward

Improve Donation Plan marketing

Identify unmet needs in relation to refugee

resettlement in the north east

Continue dialogue with Third Sector to grow

capacity to meet unmet need

phase one evaluation - wordpress.com syrian new scots’ partnership phase one evaluation june 2016...

Documents