ROLE OF THE BACKUP – GUIDELINES FOR BACKUPS AND VISITORS
One of the Coordinators arranges for each visitor to have a Backup for each asylum-seeker.
The Backup is the first person for the visitor to consult on any problems or difficulties. If these cannot be sorted out one of the Coordinators should be contacted.
The Backup has usually met and knows the asylum-seeker.
Backups support the visitor, whether newly trained or already experienced.
Backups are experienced so they can offer advice, guidance and support to the visitor.
At the most basic level that means stepping in if a visitor is unavailable. The Backup meets the asylum-seeker if the visitor is unwell, away or out of action. The Backup may also accompany the asylum-seeker to appointments if it difficult for the visitor to do so. So it is important that the asylum-seeker has contact details for the Backup.
For new visitors the Backup’s role will also include mentoring and support. For new visitors, the visitor and Backup meet the client together until the visitor feels confident enough to meet up on his/her own.
Backups should encourage the visitor (especially if new) to be involved with the SWVG, to join in with their Support Group and to attend General Meetings.
Keeping in touch
The relationship between visitor and Backup is two-way.
Keeping in contact is vital. The visitor and Backup should:
- keep in regular contact by phone, e-mail or meeting
- discuss any concerns or developments about the asylum-seeker – eg health issues, solicitor contact, legal developments, important meetings (with the Home Office etc), financial problems.
- copy e-mails (eg for MAG or NAM) to each other – most often from the visitor to the Backup
Before meeting the client
The visitor and Backup meet to get to know each other and to share as much of the asylum-seeker background as is known. They also share details of the asylum-seeker’s address, mobile number, solicitor, legal status, health, fluency (or otherwise) in English. They discuss and prioritise any actions which are needed. (If the visitor is experienced this may be done phone and e-mail.)
Visiting the Client
The Backup meets with the asylum-seeker if the visitor is away or out of action. The Backup may also accompany the asylum-seeker to appointments if it difficult for the visitor to do so. So it is important that the asylum-seeker has contact details for the Backup.
Problems
The backup is the first person for the visitor to consult on any problems or difficulties. If these cannot be sorted out one of the Coordinators should be contacted.