Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme and UK Resettlement Scheme

In the autumn of 2015 Birmingham City Council pledged to welcome 550 Syrian refugees into the city.

This was part of the government’s national commitment to welcome 20,000 refugees by 2020. To date, we have welcomed 516 Syrian refugees to Birmingham.

The UK Resettlement Scheme followed on from the Syrian Scheme in March 2021 under which the council pledged to welcome 110 refugees in one year.

Refugees included in this scheme are vulnerable for a range of reasons.

Many experience torture or are exposed to family deaths resulting in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other serious mental health conditions.

In addition, a number of refugees have physical health conditions or disabilities affecting mobility.

Recognising the time needed for families to resettle and integrate the support provided through the scheme lasts for five years from the date of arrival.

The council will be supporting families included in the scheme until 2025.