The Barka pilot project in Hammersmith and Fulham (H&F)

A summary

Introduction

In May 2004 A8[1] countries gained accession status with no restriction of the free movement of workers to the UK. Following this, numbers of migrant workers entering the UK far exceeded government estimates. Although the vast majority have successfully found employment and housing, an increasing number of authorities are becoming aware of migrant workers from A8 countries who have not successfully found employment and are engaging in street population activities including street drinking, rough sleeping, begging and associated Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) and low level crime. These individuals, like existing street populations, are vulnerable to a range of threats including ill health, exploitation, crime and often and have histories of alcohol problems, homelessness or mental health issues.

The conditions of accession for such migrants into the UK means that those who have not gained full entitlement through registering on the Workers Registration Scheme (WRS) and being in employment for a period of one year, do not have recourse to public funds, services or interventions that non-A8 street populations have. Although there is no definitive guidance on many areas such as healthcare, generally accessional migrants cannot receive support beyond primary medical care and cannot receive any housing benefits or rehabilitation treatment. This leaves local authorities experiencing problems with accessional migrant street populations very limited options in terms of addressing the needs of such individuals and the issues they present.

Accessional Migrant street populations in H&F

Since 2004 H&F became increasingly aware of such issues in the borough, particularly around Ravenscourt Park which has historically had a large Polish community near the area. One particular newsagent found a lucrative opportunity in vending adverts in window space, and quickly the pavements became crowded with newly arrived migrant workers. This attracted other activities such as gang mastering and street drinking and the council has had to taken a range of actions to address this.

Although the issue has been reduced around Ravenscourt Park, migrant workers and gang masters still use the area and accessional migrant street populations have become commonplace across the borough. Rough sleeper street count figures compromise accessional migrants and since 2004 the Broadway day centre has clearly developed a client base from this group and have been required to bring in volunteer translators to help meet the need. In a day street count in 2006, of the total 107 street drinkers identified, at least 38 were thought to be from A8 countries.

The Barka foundation

In attempting to find opportunities to address these issues, H&F established contact with the Barka foundation, a Polish charity who had grown in Poland over the last 18 years. They had worked with those experiencing homelessness, alcohol and other problems and developed a complete system of social integration for service users and partner organisations. Barka have since reached across Europe to help Polish migrants abroad and became quickly aware of migrants experiencing difficulties in the UK. After several contacts, the Barka foundation invited representatives from H&F and the Broadway centre (that operates in H&F) to visit their programmes of social integration in Poland. This offer was accepted and what was witnessed[2] exceeded the expectations of the visitors and talks were held to negotiate a pilot project between H&F, Barka and the Broadway that would help A8 accessional migrants on the streets of H&F who could not otherwise receive interventions.

The 6 month Barka pilot

After seeking funding, H&F was one of a number of London local authorities that received a grant to address issues relating to A8 accessional migrantsfrom the Department of Communities and Local Government. Following discussion with a number of organisations and Barka, a proposal was agreed that a 6 month pilot would see Barka working through the Broadway centre to contact and offer reconnection to accessional migrants who were on the streets of H&F. Reconnection would involve supporting contacts into rehabilitation and social integration programmes in their home country so that they were offered the opportunity to address all the problems that contributed to them experiencing difficulties and were not able to address in H&F.

In a Service level Agreement between H&F, Broadway and the Barka foundation, a target of 40 contacts with 3 individuals reconnected per month was agreed. The pilot started in June 2007 and runs until November. The Barka Foundation will provide monthly monitoring reports and a full 6 month evaluation on completion. The first report shows that 88 individuals have been contacted in H&F and 6 reconnected (4 entering treatment/rehabilitation and 2 returned to families).

Outside of H&F

Since the inception of the pilot project, H&F, Broadway and Barka have received considerable interest from other organisations and authorities wishing to develop similar work with Barka. H&F fully support the idea that Barka help other areas with the same issues, particularly as the issue is not unique in H&F and cannot address the whole issue as one borough. However at this early stage H&F highlights that resources are finite and the pilot should be fairly monitored and evaluated before the model expands regionally. However early indications are positive and the development of the project is being planned with the support of other boroughs and organisations.

For further information on the Barka A8 pilot please contact

James Morris

Alcohol Strategy Development Officer

T: 020 8753 2811

1

[1] Now A10 since Bulgaria and Romania joined in January 2007. However the main issues so far concern A8 countries, predominantly Poland.

[2] A full report on the visit is available from 0208 753 2811