CHANGE IN FAILURE TO TRAVEL POLICY:
TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS.
1.Scope of the document
1.1Bulletin 17 Version 2.0 issued on 18/07/01 contains the new case-working instructions on the change in policy for handling failure to travel cases. This document gives guidance for dealing with transitional cases (i.e. those cases that failed to travel before 23 July 2001) and comes into effect on 23 July 2001.
2.Dates of the change in policy
2.1The change in policy for dealing with singles and childless couples who failed to travel as a condition of support without reasonable excuse (ie change from giving two chances to one chance) comes into effect on 23 July 2001.
2.2The change in policy for families who failed to travel occurred on 6 July 2001 and the new procedures implemented on 23 July 2001.
3.SINGLES (and childless couples)
3.1There should be no change in the position for those singles that had their support discontinued under the old policy (i.e. the one in place before 23 July 2001).
3.2Two "strike" cases
3.3Those singles who failed to travel for the second occasion without reasonable excuse before 23 July 2001 (or who had failed to travel for the second occasion and had received written warnings issued by NASS before 23 July using the old wording) should have support discontinued in accordance with Bulletin 17 version 1.1.
3.4One "strike" cases
3.5Those singles who failed to travel on one occasion for whatever reason before 23 July 2001 (or who received a written warning issued by NASS before 23 July using the old wording) should have travel re-arranged and case-workers should use the new standard wordings/warnings provided in Version 2.0 of Bulletin 17. After 23 July, the case should be dealt with under the new procedures.
3.6Any requests to be readmitted to emergency accommodation or for a further support application for those singles who had support discontinued under the old policy should be dealt with under the procedures outlined in the new case-working instruction (Bulletin 17 Version 2.0).
4.FAMILIES (couples or sole parents, with children)
4.1Families that have had support discontinued for failing to travel before 23 July 2001 (this is the date the new procedures begin) may, upon request, have their decision reviewed. In such circumstances NASS should advise the applicant that an offer of support remains open under section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 using the letter at Appendix A. The applicant must sign the form indicating that they wish to take up the offer of support in a dispersal area before dealing with the case in line with Bulletin 17 Version 2.0.
4.2From 23 July 2001, those families who have not had support discontinued and failed to travel for whatever reason before 23 July 2001 or who received NASS letters using the old warnings should have travel re-arranged and case-workers should use the new standard wordings provided in Version 2.0 of Bulletin 17.
4.3Any requests from families to be re-admitted to emergency accommodation following discontinuation of support for failing to travel should be dealt with using Version 2.0 of Bulletin 17.
APPENDIX A
TRANSITIONAL FAMILY LETTER:
Letter to be used when a family had support discontinued under the "old policy" and wish to take up our offer of support.
Dear Mr xxxx
You previously applied for support on [enter date] and failed to travel without reasonable excuse. Support was discontinued in accordance with Regulation 20(1) (a) of the Asylum Support Regulations 2000 [and your appeal to the Asylum Support Adjudicator was dismissed].
The Secretary of State is aware that your household contains minor dependant (s) and, in your particular circumstances, he is prepared to keep an offer of support under section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 open to you and your family in a dispersal area.
If you wish to accept this offer of support you should contact NASS immediately so that arrangements can be made to provide you with dispersal accommodation. You should complete and sign the attached form and forward this to NASS indicating that you accept that you wish to take up the offer of support in a dispersal area and that you will travel to it when arrangements have been made.
If you accept this offer after 3pm on a working day, NASS cannot guarantee that alternative accommodation can be provided on the same day.
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NASS REFERENCE:
FORM
I will take up the offer of support in a dispersal area and I agree that I [and my dependants] will travel to any accommodation offered by NASS on the arranged day.
Signed
[NAME of ASYLUM SEEKER]
DATE
NASS Casework Instructions
FTT Transitional cases Version 1.0 Date of Issue 18/07/01
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