How we support non-UK nationals

At St Mungo’s we are committed to supporting people sleeping rough to find sustainable routes off the streets. For many non-UK nationals we work with this includes exploring options and entitlements in the UK as well as sustainable options abroad. 

Immigration law is complicated and poor quality advice can have significant consequences for the individual involved. As a result, St Mungo’s is committed to ensuring our clients gain access to appropriate and independent immigration advice so that they can make informed choices. St Mungo’s is regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) and authorised to provide immigration advice and services up to OISC Level 1 (limited to the EU Settlement Scheme only).

In addition we are able to support our clients to access a range of external immigration advisers and solicitors ensuring people with more complex immigration matters get the most appropriate advice, and are fully informed of the options available to them.       

Where necessary we also provide advice and support regarding international reconnection. For some people, returning to their country of nationality, or another country in which they have entitlements, can be the most sustainable route out of rough sleeping. Support to reconnect is always offered on a voluntary basis and we will never share information with the Home Office for the purposes of reconnection without the client’s full and informed consent.

With the client’s full and informed consent, we may share information, but only in a very limited set of circumstances, and only when it is necessary to support an individual: 

• When someone requires support to make a Subject Access Request to the Home Office.
• When someone has had immigration advice and is seeking support to make an asylum support application.
• When someone has had immigration advice and is seeking support to apply for the Home Office voluntary returns service.
• When someone has instructed an OISC registered St Mungo’s immigration adviser to act on their behalf and the data sharing occurs in this context

Our consent forms are easy to understand and clearly list the information that will be shared, who this information will be shared with and the specific purpose of sharing information. Where needed interpreting services and/or translated documents are used to ensure people are able to offer informed consent.

Sharing information with the Home Office can have significant consequences for people with irregular migration status. Restricting the sharing of information with the Home Office on a consent basis in this way ensures that information is only shared if the person has been fully informed about the potential benefits and drawbacks of sharing this information. 

Under certain very limited circumstances St Mungo’s may be legally obliged to provide information to the Home Office. Specifically, St Mungo’s may have a legal obligation to:

• Provide information to the Home Office under the “right to rent” legislation. This legislation applies to our Real Lettings service only, as our other services are exempt from right to rent checks 
• Share information with immigration officers if they ask to speak to a specific person and have the necessary warrant or authorisation. 

St Mungo’s is not registered with the Home Office Rough Sleeping Support Service and will not participate in this scheme. 

Routes Home is a service supporting non UK Nationals who are rough sleeping in London. We believe that all individuals deserve rapid access to assessment and immigration advice so they can understand their rights and entitlements and make positive decisions about their future. Read more here.

The Roma Rough Sleeping Team aims to ensure no-one from the Roma community has to sleep rough in London. We work with partners across the statutory, voluntary and faith based services to understand the needs of people from the Roma community, ensure equal and culturally competent access to services and accommodation, and develop best practice and share learning. Read more here.