This webpage contains Information about the support provided for people resettled under the following refugee resettlement schemes:

  • Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP)
  • Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS)
  • Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS)
  • UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS)

Resettlement Support

Our Resettlement Service was created in 2016 to respond to the crisis in Syria by resettling people through the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme. The service has now expanded to support people to resettle in the UK through the following schemes:

Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS)

Part of the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Programme (ARAP), the Afghan LES (Locally Employed Staff) Relocation Scheme was greatly expanded in 2021 following the withdrawal of UK troops from Afghanistan.

The scheme provides a route to resettlement in the UK for people who worked for the UK armed forces along with their families.

The ACRS is a new resettlement scheme which opened in January 2022 to prioritise the resettlement of people who have assisted UK efforts in Afghanistan and stood up for values including democracy, women’s rights and freedom of speech, and vulnerable people including members of minority groups at risk. The Government aims to resettle up to 20,000 people through this Scheme.

The ARAP and ACRS Schemes are coordinated by Charnwood Borough Council on behalf of the following Local Authorities:

  • Blaby District Council
  • Harborough District Council
  • Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council
  • North West Leicestershire District Council
  • Oadby and Wigston Borough Council
  • Rutland County Council 

Families are supported for a period of 3 years from their arrival with the Local Authority. This support includes:

  • Access to a dedicated Refugee Resettlement Officer
  • Provision of housing
  • Access to school places and adult ESOL provision
  • Access to healthcare
  • Support to access benefits
  • Employment support

We are committed to helping new arrivals integrate into their new communities and settle into their new lives. 

Anyone arriving in the UK through one of these resettlement schemes will have Leave to Remain and full access to public funds.

All Resettlement Schemes are fully funded by the Home Office.

Please read our privacy notice.

Homes for Ukraine

Leicestershire County Council runs the Homes for Ukraine Scheme in Leicestershire. Further information for hosts and guests can be found on the Leicestershire County Council website.

We have created a section of the website to share information about issues relating to the situation in Ukraine. Please see below:

Information and advice for Ukrainians living in Charnwood 

Home Kong (British Nationals Overseas)

A new immigration route opened on 31 January 2021, providing British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) status holders from Hong Kong and their dependants with the opportunity to come to the UK to live, study and work, on a pathway to citizenship.

The Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is leading delivery of a £43.1 million government funded national ‘Welcome Programme’ to support BN(O) status holders and their families to help them to successfully settle in their new communities.

East Midlands Councils is responsible for our region’s ‘Welcome Hub’, which provides information regarding immigration and visas, education, employment, English language, and voluntary and community groups in the region.

Asylum Seekers

Asylum Seekers are provided with accommodation by the Home Office whilst they wait for the outcome of their asylum application.

If you are currently an asylum seeker and receive a positive decision, you will be asked to leave your current accommodation within 28 days.

There are things you should do within this time to prepare for the next stage of your resettlement:

Open a bank account

You will need this as soon as possible in order to receive Universal Credit or be paid by an employer

Apply for Universal Credit

This is a benefit from the Government for people with no or low income. You should go to your local Job Centre for advice making a claim.

Make a Universal Credit claim online

Search for a Job

You can get support with this from your local Job Centre, from Work and Skills Leicestershire or from TWIN Employment and Training.

Search for housing

You are most likely to find housing in the private rented sector.

If you are concerned that you are at risk of being homeless, please contact our Housing Options team.

Asylum Seeker and Refugee Support Groups

A full list can be found on the webpage below:

Asylum Seeker and Refugee Support Groups

Last updated: Wed 4th December, 2024 @ 10:48