Refugees, Migrants and the Equality Act 2010: Understanding the Act and Meeting Responsibilities
Special rate for BME and Social Inclusion Workers:
Any BME and Social Inclusion workerswishing to attend are eligible for a special rate of £145 per place, for details please click on the booking formbelow.
Speakers include:
- Glynis Craig, Senior Solicitor, Legal Enforcement Directorate, EHRC
- Don Flynn, Director, Migrants Rights Network
- Rita Chadha, Chair, Refugee and Migrant Forum of East London
- Dr Phil McCarvill, Senior Research Fellow, IPPR
- Lela Kogbara, Manager, Equalities, Refugee and Migrant Service, Islington Council
- Estelle Worthington, RCO Project Officer, Greater Manchester BME Network
- (Chair) Amanda Ariss, Chief Executive, Equality and Diversity Forum
The Context:
Following the introduction of the Equality Act, public authorities have to show ‘due regard’ to the needs of the populations they serve – including asylum seekers, refugees and migrants. It is vital that public authorities understand and are compliant with the Act, as asylum seekers, refugees and migrants are often particularly marginalised, vulnerable to discrimination and harassment, with many unaware that there are equality and human right laws that protect them.
The Issues:
Throughout the day delegates will engage with a panel of experts, investigating key issues such as:
- Understanding the Act and your responsibility in ensuring compliance: from entry, settlement, education and employment
- Asylum seekers, refugees & migrants: the differing equality & diversity challenges
- Direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, victimisation: what does the terminology mean?
- Exemptions: when is the Act not applied?
- The Government’s immigration & welfare reforms: examining the implications
- Role of the EHRC: guidance, support, enforcement
- Equality and diversity service users and practitioners: raising awareness
- Future policy direction
Objectives and Outcomes:
The morning policy session will provide delegates with a forum to examine the protections provided to asylum seekers, refugees and migrants and the responsibilities that public authorities have to meet under the Act. The debate will help improve your understanding of how the proposals will affect your organisation.
The afternoon policy into practice session, will be highly interactive, investigating examples of best practice and how public authorities are working with asylum seekers, refugees and migrants to ensure their rights are fully protected and realised. Presentations will offer practical tips on improving working practices, which you can take back to your organisation.
Who Should Attend?
Delegates will be drawn from local authorities, both officers and members, national, regional and local health services; schools and higher education providers; UK Border Agency and immigration bodies; employment providers; social housing providers; the emergency services; central government departments & bodies; legal service providers; refugee and asylum user led groups, NGOs and charities; immigration and equality and diversity specialists and professionals; and academics.
Morning refreshments will be served upon arrival and a networking lunch is provided. Any dietary requirements or special needs should be notified to us upon booking.
- Thursday, 10th November 2011
- 10:40am - 3:15pm (networking lunch included)
- £225 per place or £175 for two or more places
Background Quote
“The Equality Act 2010 And Its Application To Asylum-seekers And Refugees”, EHRC, August 2011There is no blanket exemption from the Equality Act 2010 (or its predecessor statutes) for persons who are subject to immigration control. However, there are a number of provisions which, when taken together, might give rise to a misunderstanding of the applicability of the EA2010 to asylum seekers, refugees and other persons subject to immigration control
