Review Of Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Programme

A multi-agency group has been set up to consider Pembrokeshire’s approach within a local context to the UK Government’s Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement (SVPR) programme. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The SVPR programme intends to resettle some of the most vulnerable Syrian refugees in the UK. It is funded by the UK Government. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The scheme prioritises women and children at risk, people requiring urgent medical treatment, and survivors of torture and violence, amongst others. All cases are vetted by the Home Office, which ensures that they meet the eligibility criteria, and carries out medical and security checks. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Pembrokeshire’s multi-agency group includes representatives from Pembrokeshire County Council, Dyfed Powys Police, Hywel Dda University Health Board, Jobcentre Plus, Pembrokeshire College and PAVS. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Chair of the group is Cllr Alison Lee, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and the Voluntary Sector, and the Council’s Lead Officer responsible for determining a local approach to the SVPR programme. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The initial meeting was held this week where a number of different issues relating to the scheme in a local context were reviewed and discussed, with view to developing a close, carefully considered partnership approach in Pembrokeshire. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

No decisions have been made yet on how Pembrokeshire will be engaging with the scheme. A further meeting will be held in June. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​