The webinar is aimed at professionals working with vulnerable EU citizens in local authorities and third sector organisations, in collaboration with their partner Drummond Miller LLP.

The two-part online event will take place on Tuesday, 13 October and Tuesday, 20 October at 4pm, and will look at how staff can best support vulnerable people needing to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme so they can continue living in the United Kingdom and safeguarding their rights after Brexit.

The webinar will explain what the EU Settlement Scheme is and who needs to apply and how, but will also look more deeply into the application process and complexities that might be encountered when supporting citizens with specific vulnerabilities, such as homeless people, victims of gender violence or children in care. It will also cover important aspects to remember after receiving pre-settled or settled status, such as how to check or prove one’s status and will advise on sources of support.

Noelia Martinez, project coordinator of Citizens Rights Project, said: “EUSS applications for vulnerable citizens can be a lengthy process and there are only 9 months left to apply. To this, we need to add the complications associated with the pandemic that has limited our access to people, but also to services such as consulates or ID scanning locations. Identifying these individuals as soon as possible is key to guarantee their rights in the future.

“We have become very concerned about the widespread lack of awareness not only among many EU migrants, but also those supporting vulnerable people, despite the big outreach efforts of EUSS advisers around the UK. Local authority staff, and other workers in the sector, need to be aware that it is their responsibility to ensure that eligible children in care apply.

“The fact that some councils and care homes do not hold a record of the nationalities of children and elderly in their care add further complications. It is urgent that all those in this sector review their procedures and ensure they take action to make sure no eligible person falls out if the system.”

“The principal speaker will be Janey Armstrong, a partner at Drummond Miller LLP who leads the immigration team in the firm’s Glasgow office.  Since the Brexit referendum, she has been advising EEA nationals and their family members about their right to reside in the UK. She specialises in helping individuals with complex cases to apply for status through the EU Settlement Scheme.”

Registration for Part 1 of the webinar can be found here and for Part 2 here.