Refugee Education

Ethnic Minority Inclusion Service (EMIS) is a support service which works with schools who have children who are asylum seekers or refugees.

EMIS seek to support schools in providing:

  • A secure and welcoming environment for our children.
  • A learning environment that enables our children to participate fully in school life and all areas of the curriculum.
  • Good communication with our children s parents in the local community and in the school.

In detail

EMIS will visit a new arrival as soon as possible to gather an initial profile, build up a relationship, explain about education in England .

EMIS will then visit the appropriate school and provide information and arrange an introductory visit for the child and their parents.

After re-visiting the family and giving details about the school EMIS will arrange to accompany them for the induction visit and set up the free school meals.

As with all children it is important that the new arrival understands that they can go to an adult to seek help or advice about any situation.  This is especially important in a secondary school environment.  It is possible, depending on the reasons for the child s flight to the U.K. , that they may need to be withdrawn from the normal timetable to allow them to relate concerns on a one-to-one basis.

The Welcome Project

Funded by the Middlesbrough Children s Fund the Welcome Project has been set up to provide children who are asylum seekers with the opportunities that we would expect all children to experience.

The Welcome Project includes:-

  • A drop-in facility
  • The provision of school bus fares
  • The supply of bilingual dictionaries/story books
  • The supply of school uniforms and PE kits
  • Accompanied visits to the optician, dentist and hospital
  • Out of school activities including swimming, karate, football, gymnastics, dance, music etc
  • Family day trips to local tourist attractions
  • Adult education including English lessons, re-training and college courses
  • Links with such agencies as Connexions, Sure Start and Youth Service

Useful contact numbers

Middlesbrough Housing asylum seekers team. Phil Hornby: 01642 729078

North of England Refugee Service (NERS).
Peter Widlinski: 01642 211117

Haven Medical Practice.
Mandy Capaldi: 01642 251053

Middlesbrough Adult Education English Classes.
Helen Weir: 01642 315063

Jubilee Church Open Door Initiative.
Steve Whittington: 01642 807089

The Avenue Methodist Church Weekly Drop-in.
Linda Harkins: 01642 868774

Children who are asylum seekers are here because of adults.

An adult either drove them from their home or an adult decided for many reasons to bring them to this country.

Children are entitled to their childhood and a good education.

EMIS is based at:
MTLC, Tranmere Avenue, Middlesbrough, TS3 8PB
Telephone: 01642 201881/2
Fax: 01642 201909
Email: denis_maycock@middlesbrough.gov.uk

The Welcome Project is based at:
Erimus House, Queens Square, Middlesbrough, Cleveland, TS2 1AA
Telephone: 01642 354145
Fax: 01642 354148