Overview

Objectives
This project examined the Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) programmes available to migrants in the UK. There is little research on AVR programmes in the UK; what we do know is that non-government organisation's play a central role in the administration of the programmes and advisors of potential returnees.

This research investigated; what governs different NGOs' reasons for suggesting particular return options; what are the differing roles of NGOs who administer AVRs and those who do not; how and why NGOs (and the Welfare Officers in Detention Centres they work with) advise on particular return modes; how is the place of 'safe country' determined; what is the meaning of 'sustainability' in the advice given to returnees; what are the advantages and disadvantages of 'directive' and 'non-directive' approaches in NGO consultations with AVR applicants; what is the wider NGO sectors' perspective on the current political focus on programmed returns for asylum seekers (rather than irregular migrants) and foreign national prisoners; what information do NGOs need to support people faced with return; what is the relationship between those NGOs directly involved in administering AVR and the wider asylum/irregular migrant focused NGO sector.

Methods

Using UKBA and NGO data we created a database on the take up of AVRs (disaggregated by scheme type gender, age, single individual/family and country of origin). In addition, we collected data through individual interviews with; 1) Refugee Action Staff in their four regional offices, IOM (London) staff, Welfare Officers, Refugee Action Migration staff, and IOM staff in Detention Centres; 2) representatives from UKBA and the Home Office.

Findings

In our preliminary review of available literatures we found that; (1) returnees prioritise advice from friends, families and NGOs; (2) NGO involvement is sensitive and there is a danger that 'facilitation' can be perceived as 'encouragement' by potential returnees and their supporters; (3) there is a lack of information available to NGOs and individuals who are supporting migrants facing return.