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Training and resources


Training and resources available for professionals working with non-UK nationals

Restricted Eligibility Support Service (RESS) 

The RESS is funded by GMCA to provide training and peer support to frontline professionals in Greater Manchester who are working with people facing barriers because of their immigration status. These one-off courses are open to Local Authority and VCFSE staff, and cover a range of topics including 

  • Introductions to immigration and asylum
  • Home Office processes
  • Benefits for people from abroad
  • Immigration and domestic abuse
  • Healthcare for people from abroad

To see the latest schedule of training, please following this link to the Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit's (GMIAU) website (external website).

Shelter

Shelter is a national charity that campaigns for housing justice and offers housing guidance. Shelter delivers one-off webinars and e-learning, covering a range of topics, with some sessions tailored to working with non-UK nationals, including:

  • Housing law
  • Homelessness
  • Debt
  • Welfare benefits

Most topics are repeated each month and many trainings are free if you work for a Local Authority or VCFSE organisation, but some do cost.

For more information, visit the Shelter website (external website).

Shelter are now offering a specific training and e-learning package for professionals supporting homeless migrants, with modules including information on:

  • Immigration Status and Eligibility
  • Housing Rights and Options
  • Welfare and Financial Support
  • Vulnerability and Safeguarding
  • Multi-Agency Collaboration and Advocacy
  • Other Specialist Topics.

This specific training offer can be found on the Shelter website (external website).

Homeless Link 

Homeless Link are a national homelessness charity that offer a programme of training, bitesize learning videos and resources for frontline workers in homelessness and migrant sectors, immigration solicitors, and local authority staff. Topics include:

  • What do to about eVisas
  • Asylum and migration rights
  • Finding legal advice for asylum and immigration issues
  • Welfare benefits for EU nationals
  • Accessing drug and alcohol services more migrants experiencing homelessness

For more information, visit the Homeless Link website (external website).

North West Regional Strategic Migration Partnership (RSMP) 

The North West RSMP provide one-off courses run in collaboration with other organisations such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit (GMIAU). topics frequently include country specific information and good practise sharing sessions.

For more information on current training opportunities, visit the RSMP event page (external website).

Manchester Community Central (Macc) 

Macc is a charity supporting voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations and local people in Manchester. Macc runs a mixture of online training and in-person events, mostly for small VCFSE organisations. However, some sessions may be relevant for Local Authority staff including:

  • Neurodiversity Awareness Session
  • Mental Health Awareness Session
  • Exploring Social Housing in Manchester

For more information on current training opportunities, visit the Macc training and events page (external website).

Right to Remain 

Right to Remain are offering flexible, tailored workshops for communities and organisations. They can cover a range of topics, including:

  • How to effectively and confidently navigate the Right to Remain Toolkit
  • The stages of the asylum process
  • Understanding the difference between legal advice and legal support
  • Preparing for a substantive interview
  • What happens after a Home Office asylum decision
  • Staying Safe in the Hostile Environment
  • The 10 Year Route and Fee Waivers
  • Work Exploitation and Migrant Workers’ Rights
  • Evidence
  • Working with a lawyer
  • Navigating Appeals in the First Tier Tribunal

Right to Remain also offer Solidarity Sessions, which aim to build a space where groups from all types of organisation, role or background can come together, connect, learn, brainstorm, and ultimately, step up to the challenges.

For more information, visit the Right to Remain webpage.