Asylum and Immigration

A refugee is a person who is seeking asylum in a foreign country in order to escape persecution, war, terrorism, extreme poverty, famines, and natural disaster. Those who desire refugee status are also known as asylum seekers.

Support for Asylum Seekers

The Home Office has responsibility for accommodating and supporting asylum for asylum-seeking families and single adults. Islington Council’s Children and Families Service has responsibility for supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people.

For assistance in making an application to the Home Office for asylum support, contact the London One Stop Service at:

Refugee Council
240-250 Ferndale Road
Brixton
London
SW9 8BB

Tel: 020 7346 6700
Fax: 020 7346 6701

Opening hours
Monday: 9am - 5.30pm
Tuesday: 9am - 5.30pm
Wednesday: 2pm - 5.30pm
Thursday: 9am - 5.30pm
Friday: 9am - 5.30pm

Support Provided by Islington Council

Islington Council’s Equalities, Refugee and Migrant Service only has responsibility for supporting asylum seekers still awaiting a decision on their asylum application if they have an assessed community care need.

The No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) Team provides a service to refused asylum seekers and other people from abroad, who are subject to immigration control and have no recourse to public funds (welfare benefits, public housing and asylum support). It provides accommodation and financial support when they have an assessed community care need.

For details about how to contact the team, click the NRPF Team Contact Details link under the Related Information section, on the right-hand side of this page. You can also access the Islington Refugee Directory by clicking on the following link. online Refugee Services Directory