Failure to travel (addendum)

25 - Failure to travel (addendum)

1. Contact with Reception Assistants - Guidance for Caseworkers

In line with the policy on Failure to Travel (see Bulletin No.17) asylum seekers are required to advise NASS in writing within 24 hours of the reasons for their failure to travel as arranged. Any further circumstances, which should be taken into account when considering the application for support and in particular reasons for not being dispersed, should be submitted at the same time. For the "Failure to Travel" policy to be implemented effectively it is essential that we adhere strictly to the 24-hour time-scale.

1.1 Caseworkers are advised to monitor closely cases where a reception assistant has specifically indicated that the asylum seekers’ circumstances have changed or that further information is forthcoming. Caseworkers should ensure that there is no delay in the passage/receipt of information relevant to the application and that all action is taken within the 24-hour time-scale. Where a reception assistant has stated that further information is to be submitted it is incumbent on them to produce that information within the period in question.

1.2 Should it be necessary in view of the tight time-scale to contact the reception assistant to "chase" the receipt of information (whether about the failure to travel or change of circumstances) this should always be by phone or fax.

1.3 If the caseworker is unable to speak directly to a reception assistant the caseworker should fax them direct giving an extension number for the reception assistant to call and placing a 2-hour maximum deadline for the return of the call. The reception assistant should be reminded that failure to provide the necessary information will lead to the case being considered on the available information and that support may be terminated.

1.4 Caseworkers should take a very firm line with reception assistants who fail to return calls and/or to provide written information.

1.5 In all cases the caseworker should be fully minute and time mark the case file and ASYS to show the time the fax was sent and, if nothing is received within the time limits set, the time of the next action, which may be termination of support.

1.6 Caseworkers are advised that they should adopt this approach in other circumstances where they awaiting information to progress the case whether from asylum seekers, their representatives, or others. As general rule of thumb (other than for failure to travel) where the applicant is in emergency accommodation we should give a maximum of 2 working days for the return of information and where the applicant is other accommodation (NASS or non - NASS) a maximum of 5 working days.

2. Return of the support package

In a case where an asylum seeker has failed to travel and a satisfactory reason has been put forward the caseworker may rearrange travel without waiting for the return of the original support package from the reception assistant. Cases should not be delayed until a package is returned to NASS. We must ensure that travel is rearranged immediately and that the asylum seeker travels and vacates the emergency accommodation as soon as possible. The issue of the returned support package can be addressed once the asylum seeker has travelled.

3 Completion of the Failure to Travel Warning Letter

This letter (Annex D of Policy Bulletin) is given to the asylum seeker along with the support package and should be explained to them by the reception assistant. The current guidance (para 2.13 of Policy Bulletin 17) states that this letter should be signed and retained by the reception assistant from whom it should be requested should the asylum seeker fail to travel.

3.1 The letter at Annex D serves to highlight specific conditions attached to the travel arrangements which are already outlined in the agreement between NASS and the asylum seeker - the Compact ( see Annex C of Policy Bulletin 17. The key issue is that the asylum seeker is notified of the conditions attached to the support provided. They are not required to sign the compact and therefore equally there should be no requirement to sign this letter.

3.2 Caseworkers are therefore advised that they should not delay consideration of the case to await the return of the letter or on the basis of an unsigned letter.