Feeling safe in their new home will be the first concern of the new arrivals. They may require reassurance about issues that we cannot immediately appreciate. Listening to these issues with help from an interpreter may be particularly important.
Some of these issues need to be covered in a Day 1 induction and with written information in Arabic. Others could usefully be addressed in a group event allowing introduction of police and others and wider group discussion. This would necessarily require an interpreter.
- Support workers / volunteers need to recognise anxieties affecting parents and children e.g. separation and develop imaginative ways to make them comfortable.
- Direct contact with the police and other public servants may help new arrivals to trust these groups. Group sessions to deliver some of these community safety messages could be attended by police and others.
- Explaining how to use the emergency services on Day 1 is a requirement.
- Police or other acknowledged agency could brief on reporting of Hate Crime and protection available.
- Fire safety can be delivered by a fire fighter. It should include cooking practices and recognise that people from rural areas will have no experience of, for example, high rise living and fire escape issues.
- Notwishstanding separation anxiety, in some cultures it may be common to leave young children alone for significant periods that we would find unacceptable. Working with families to outline possible risks whilst understanding cultural differences is advisable.
- Other urban hazards include children living above the ground floor and road safety.
- Need to explain the law relating to driving – lessons, licences, insurance, MOTs.
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Need to explain the British approach to equality covering – domestic abuse, same sex relationships, sexual and racial harassment, equality monitoring.
- Need to explain British standards in relation to children protection – including safety / protection from danger and chastisement.
- Adult protection issues may require discussion.