The Supporting Asylum Seekers and Refugees Conference 2026: Prioritising Dignity and Protection
Supporters Include
Overview
Asylum seekers and refugees continue to face significant instability and uncertainty, exacerbated by rising political tensions, increasingly hostile responses to migrants, and the implementation of harsher immigration policy through the Restoring Order and Control policy paper. Refugees and asylum seekers are among the most vulnerable in our society, often enduring profound trauma from experiences of conflict, persecution, and displacement.
Agenda
Registration
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Dr Nicholas James Maple, Senior Lecturer – Refugee Law Initiative, University of London (CONFIRMED)
Keynote: Understanding the Migration Landscape: Challenges and Policy Developments
- Understanding the new asylum and returns framework and what it means in practice
- Temporary protection, decision-making backlogs and access to a fair asylum process
- Exploring the future for asylum seekers and refugees in the UK including policy developments, dangerous rhetoric and increasing Far Right activity
- The role of local authorities and civil society in delivering humane and effective support within a challenging environment
Lord Alf Dubs, Labour Life Peer, House of Lords, Co-chair, APPG on Refugees (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: “We Don’t Know Where We Stand”: Barriers to Elective Care for People Seeking Asylum in England
- New evidence on an underexplored issue: First-hand insights into how people seeking asylum experience waiting for and accessing elective care in England.
- Human impact at the forefront: Shows how uncertainty, lack of support to manage symptoms and poor communication significantly worsen mental health.
- Barriers within the system: Highlights practical challenges—from relocation and missed letters to travel costs and digital exclusion.
- Risk of people falling through gaps: Reveals how lack of coordination across services, especially when people are relocated, disrupts care and prolongs waits.
- Clear, actionable recommendations: Provides solutions for government, NHS and the Home Office to improve communication, access and continuity of care.
Lorna Darknell, Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer for Health Inequalities, British Red Cross (CONFIRMED)
Anna Deal, Senior Policy Research Officer, British Red Cross, British Red Cross (CONFIRMED)
Questions & Answers
Comfort Break
Keynote: Everyone Has a Piece of the Puzzle When It Comes to Safeguarding
- Understanding the importance of tailoring safeguarding practices to the unique needs, circumstances, and lived experiences of each individual
- Practical approaches to safeguarding clients who may face additional risks due to uncertain or complex immigration situations
- How frontline workers, practitioners, and organisations can work collaboratively to identify risks and provide effective support
- Balancing legal frameworks with the urgent need to protect individuals from harm, ensuring safety is never compromised
- Addressing sensitive cultural issues in a respectful, informed, and person-centred way while prioritising rights and protection
- Exploring the impact of NRPF on safeguarding outcomes and identifying ways to respond effectively to associated challenges
Mandy Sanghera OBE, International Human Rights Activist and Government Advisor on Safeguarding (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: Preventing and Relieving Refugee Homelessness
- Learning from local authority practice to respond effectively to rising refugee homelessness
- Supporting smooth and sustainable move-on from asylum accommodation into safe housing
- Strengthening partnership working across housing, health services, and the voluntary sector to deliver coordinated support
- Identifying funding and commissioning models that enable long-term, sustainable solutions for destitute refugees
Rachel Stewart, Housing Strategy & Compliance Manager, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (CONFIRMED)
Paul Clark, Housing Strategy Support Co-ordinator, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (CONFIRMED)
Craig Anderson, Housing Options Team Manager, Refugee Resettlement, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (CONFIRMED)
Questions & Answers
Lunch Break
Breakout Networking: Supporting Refugees and Asylum Seekers in a Hostile Environment
This breakout session provides a space to come together and reflect on the realities of supporting refugees and asylum seekers within an increasingly hostile environment shaped by government policy, public discourse, and rising social tensions. Participants are encouraged to share experiences, challenges, and practical approaches to navigating these complexities, including how to respond to hostility, counter misinformation, and create supportive systems. We invite you to use this time to exchange insights and identify opportunities for partnership that strengthen collective resilience and improve outcomes for refugees and asylum seekers.
Keynote: Providing Trauma Informed Support
- Embedding trauma-informed approaches across asylum, housing, health and education services
- Recognising the impact of pre-migration and post-migration trauma on engagement with support
- Supporting staff wellbeing and preventing vicarious trauma and burnout
- Creating safe, consistent and empowering environments that enable recovery and integration
Nicola Marven, Integration lead, International Rescue Committee UK (CONFIRMED)
Keynote: Creating Cohesive Communities
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The impact of the politics of exhaustion on refugees and asylum seekers
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The challenge of creating cohesive communities in a hostile environment
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Refugee sponsorship as an example of creating community-based welcome
Dr Leonie Ansems De Vries, Vice Chair, Community Sponsorship Alliance (CONFIRMED)
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Questions & Answers
Comfort Break
Keynote: Restoring belief: The Impact of modern slavery provisions in immigration legislation 2022 – 2026
Hilary Agg, Senior Policy & Partnerships Manager, Unseen (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: Education and Skills for Long-Term Integration
- Overcoming barriers to accessing ESOL, further education, and vocational training
- Recognition of overseas qualifications and supporting career progression
- Developing mentoring, tutoring, and apprenticeship schemes
- Inclusive education strategies for children and young people
Abdikarim Ali, Head of Client Services, Breaking Barriers (CONFIRMED)
Cathy Hill, Senior Philanthropy Manager, Breaking Barriers (CONFIRMED)
Questions & Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Dr Nicholas James Maple, Senior Lecturer – Refugee Law Initiative, University of London (CONFIRMED)
Conference Close
Get in Touch
Speakers
Tim Naor Hilton
Chief Executive Officer
Refugee Action
Jimmy Zachariah
Chief Executive Officer
Baca Charity
Euan Fraser
Senior Policy and Research Advisor
Hope for Justice
Louise Thompson
Director of Services
Breaking Barriers
Catherine Gladwell
Chief Executive Officer
Refugee Education UK
Testimonials
I really enjoyed attending this event and learnt a lot from the variety of different speakers. It was very helpful to gain a wider understanding of the challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers and the organisations that support them.
An excellent and inspiring event with a powerful lineup of speakers. It reaffirmed my belief in the vital work being done to support refugees and asylum seekers, and the strength of the community driving this change.
Great event, highly recommended- If there is anything similar organised in the future, I will attend for sure.
Great event with quality speakers – thank you!
Why You Should Attend
Why Attend:
✓ Hear high-level keynotes on the latest guidance and strategies for supporting asylum seekers across the UK
✓ Gain practical insights into securing safe and affordable accommodations, protecting migrants and refugees from trafficking and modern slavery and supporting them to obtain employment and education
✓ Engage with senior colleagues from across the sector to discuss strategies for ensuring accessible local services for refugees and asylum seekers
✓ Gain 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota
Who Should Attend
| Job Title Examples | Organisation Examples |
| Case Workers | Charities |
| Social Workers | Civil Service |
| Support Workers | Human Rights Organisations |
| Safe Guarding Professionals | Health and Social Care Organisations |
| Healthcare Professionals | Local Councils |
| Teachers | Schools |
Pricing Options
PRIVATE SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
PUBLIC SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
Voluntary Sector
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
Sponsorship
Raise Your Profile, Showcase Your Solutions, Generate New Business
If your products, services, and solutions can support our audiences in their roles, and you want to make connections and generate new business with key stakeholders, decision makers, and influencers, then please contact us HERE
IMPORTANT: There are only a small number of sponsorship opportunities available to ensure maximum exposure and ROI – contact us today to secure your place.
Virtual vs F2F
Whilst F2F provide better options for networking, there are many distinct advantages of sponsoring our online conferences including:
- Wider geographical reach of delegates and a different audience who prefer online to f2f
- Lower sponsorship package costs
- No travel/accommodation
- Less time out of the office
- No stand materials required (lower costs)
- 1 of only 2 sponsors involved – less competition on the day
- Prime speaking slot in the morning of the conference including Q&A – less distractions and easier for delegates to hear/absorb information
- Receive all delegate data after the conference to follow-up directly with those who attend and don’t attend (small % but still key stakeholders)
- Ongoing exposure via OnDemand access (coming soon)
To find out more and discuss your specific objectives, please contact us below:
