Shropshire Star

Shropshire groups asked to aid Syrian refugee plan

Organisations in Shropshire are being asked to bid to run support services for about 50 Syrian refugees set to arrive in the county next month.

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Shropshire Council is looking for companies or organisations to ensure that families homed in the county are provided with suitable accommodation and given vaccinations and health checks.

The groups will also be asked to ensure that school age children are found places at schools within two months of their arrival, appointments are booked with the the Department for Work and Pensions regarding benefits, and that they are given a case worker and a tour of the area.

The move comes as the authority gears up to take in 10 families of Syrian refugees from next month.

Under the plans Shropshire Council expects refugees to be self-sufficient within a year. Councillor Malcolm Price, spokesman for regulatory services, housing and commissioning for the authority, said that a group involving Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group, West Mercia Police, education and public health groups had been set up in December to look at providing housing, education, healthcare and employment for the refugees.

The move is are part of the second phase of the Government's aim to welcome 20,000 people fleeing the conflict in Syria.

Government funding will pay for the support completely in the first year and will then reduce on a sliding scale over five years.

Councillor Malcolm Price, spokesman for regulatory services, housing and commissioning for the authority, said: "We will be working with them so they are fully integrated into the communities – and hopefully employed, and then there will be no cost to anyone.

"But clearly the most important thing is to get them housed, settled in, if they have children to get them into education, and then look at their health needs."

Councillor Price paid tribute to the response of the people of Shropshire, who he said had been "overwhelmingly supportive" of the plan.

He said: "The people of Shropshire have been excellent. We have had numerous letters and offers of support, including financial, practical, and even offers of property."

The tender document also says groups will have to provide food, or funds to purchase it until DWP benefits have been processed, registration with a GP, an initial one off clothing allowance, an initial one off baby pack where relevant, and a limited pre-paid SIM card so individuals can contact their families.

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