The Home Office has introduced a Community Sponsorship Scheme whereby local community groups can take responsibility to welcome and support refugee families from conflict-ridden regions directly into their communities. This complements resettlement work that has been undertaken by local authorities as part of the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS). Surrey County Council and Surrey’s Districts and Boroughs have been active participants in the VPR Scheme since 2015 and over 100 families have been resettled in Surrey. The Community Sponsorship Scheme was paused by the Home Office during the pandemic and is now being reintroduced.
It is recommended that Community Sponsorship is encouraged and enabled as a means to resettle Syrian Refugees under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme and the Cabinet Member gives consent to prospective Community Sponsors in Guildford subject to them meeting the Home Office criteria for that consent.
Decision type: Key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 22/08/2022
Decision due: 3 Aug 2022 by Executive Director Children, Families Lifelong Learning and Culture