Migrant Children's Project Newsletter
November 2015

New official NHS guidance on patient registration for GP practices

New guidance from NHS England has been published which clearly states that no one can be turned away from a doctor’s surgery for failing to provide ID or proof of address. The Standard Operating Principles for Primary Medical Care (General Practice) also confirms that 'there has not been any change in national policy in respect of patient registration for primary medical care services' – but that the guidance 'clarifies the rights of patients and the responsibilities of providers in registering with a GP practice'. For the Doctors of the World press release on the guidance, click here. See also the Migrant Children's Project fact sheets on healthcare.

Immigration Bill

The Immigration Bill went through Committee Stage in the House of Commons in November, and was amended to include several new sections on care leavers and support under section 17 of the Children Act 1989. You can read all of MCP's Immigration Bill briefings here. Report stage, the penultimate stage for the passage of the bill through the Commons, will take place on Tuesday 1 December 2015.

 

Access to bank accounts

Under provisions in the Immigration Act 2014 the ability to open a bank account was limited to those with leave to remain, an open claim or appeal, including in asylum cases, or the right to reside. In practice, however, even people with these statuses can face significant challenges proving their identity and/or address. Read our new fact sheet on access to bank accounts.

 

Applying for a fee waiver

There are a number of instances in which no fee is payable for a Home Office application, for example for example when making an asylum claim, or when making application based on Article 3 of the ECHR. In most other circumstances however a fee is payable to the Home Office. For some, but not all, other types of application, it is possible to apply for a fee waiver in certain extenuating circumstances. Read our new fact sheet on applying for a fee waiver. 

If you have queries about these or other issues, please contact our advice line on 0207 636 8505 or email mcp@coramclc.org.uk.

Our upcoming training courses

Working with undocumented young people

Coram Campus, London, FREE

• Friday, 29 January 2016, 9:00am - 13:30pm
• Wednesday, 23 March 2016, 9:00am - 13:30pm

The rights and entitlements of young refugees and migrants
Coram Campus, London, £65 + VAT 

• Wednesday, 17 February 2016, 10am - 4.30pm
• Wednesday, 27 April 2016, 10am - 4.30pm
• Wednesday, 6 July 2016, 10am - 4.30pm

Supporting child victims of trafficking
Coram Campus, London, £65 + VAT

• Wednesday, 27 January 2016, 10am - 4.30pm
• Wednesday, 25 May 2016, 10am - 4.30pm

The registration of children as British citizens
Coram Campus, London, FREE

• Tuesday, 9 February, 2016, 4pm - 6:30pm

For more information and to book, please see our website.

New reports

Put yourself in our shoes: considering children's best interests in the asylum system
Law Centre Networks, November 2015
This new report looks at decision making in unaccompanied children’s asylum claims, identifies child-centred principles from international practice, and highlights areas of good practice in the UK asylum system. It also makes recommendations on improving the asylum process, as well as improving training and skills for those working with children.

Families constrained: an analysis of the best interests of the child in family migration policies
Defence for Children, November 2015
This report looks at how best interests are construed in family migration policy in the Netherlands.

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