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

Local authorities had responsibility for accommodating and supporting asylum for some seeking families and single adults who claimed asylum prior to specified dates in 2006. In March 2006, responsibility for these asylum seekers transferred to the Home Office. Islington Council’s Children and Families Service continues to have 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

Since April 2006, Islington Council’s Asylum and Refugee 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 Useful Information, on the right-hand side of this page.