EU Settlement Scheme

If EU citizens want to stay in the UK beyond 31 June 2021, they and their close family members will need to apply to the UK Government’s EU Settlement Scheme, demonstrating proof of identity and residence in the UK.
This raises particular issues for social workers  supporting children and young people whose families are EU citizens but who may be looked after by the Local Authority. What information and support is there for social workers acting as corporate parents to ensure that these children and young people are not left out and applications are made in time?

A recent Welsh Government briefing note prepared by the BASW Cymru Law PPEG provides some helpful advice for social workers and can be found below. The Law PPEG was founded to support social workers with all aspects of social care law in Wales and new members are always welcome. Contact cymru@basw.co.uk for more information.
 

EU Settlement Scheme

European citizens make up a significant number of the Health and Social Care cohort.

If you are  an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you, and your family, must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme  to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021.

The Welsh Government has partnered with a number of free advice services to assist European citizens to access the support they may need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. 

This package of support includes digital support with applications or help with basic queries about eligibility from Citizens Advice. Free specialist immigration advice is also available for people with complex cases delivered by Newfields Law .

Further general information about the EUSS can be found on the Welsh Government and the UK Government websites.

You may also have clients that are EU, EEA or Swiss citizens and they too will have to apply.

Newfields Law has the expertise to handle EUSS applications for looked after children, for example, at no cost to your local authority employer. Newfields Law   encourage you to refer cases like these to them at the outset and they will handle the whole application process from start to finish.  

EUSS is a Home Office initiative, and you might be interested in some up and coming teleconferences that the Home Office is arranging for social workers and staff in children’s services..

These hour-long sessions provide a general introduction to the EUSS, covering the EUSS application process and responsibilities on local authorities in relation to looked after children and care leavers.

Following the presentations, a panel of Home Office staff will be on hand to answer questions.

To register your interest and find out more, please email: feedback-EUSSsupportmodel@homeoffice.gov.uk.

Guidance for local authorities about EUSS applications for looked after children and care leavers is available on GOV.UK.