4.1. Comprehensive approaches to identify and support applicants with special needs

4.1. Comprehensive approaches to identify and support applicants with special needs

Authorities in countries with high numbers of simultaneous arrivals often faced difficulties in appropriately identifying and assessing special needs. For example, Slovenian authorities noted that many applicants quickly left reception centres before staff could address their special needs. To support staff with the process, a tailored, fast screening tool for the identification of vulnerabilities and special needs was piloted in the reception facility in Logatec.

The European Commission’s pilot project in Romania was assessed to be particularly successful in improving the identification of vulnerable applicants through the establishment of standard operating procedures for vulnerability screening, starting already at the preliminary interview stage. The evaluation of the pilot found that the referral system for unaccompanied children and the appointment of guardians have also improved.993 The civil society organisation Romanian CNRR confirmed these findings but suggested improving staff training on identifying vulnerabilities that may be harder to detect.994

The Spanish State Secretariat for Migration issued a new instruction to improve the identification of applicants with special reception needs by establishing indicators on vulnerabilities.995

Changes to the German legislation on counselling in the asylum procedure had an impact on the identification of vulnerabilities. Providers of the counselling sessions are allowed to transmit the personal data of an applicant to the authorities if it arises during the discussion that the person is in need of special procedural guarantees or has special needs in reception, provided the applicant consents to this transfer of information.996 Civil society organisations argued that increased funding would be necessary to ensure that the legal changes are implemented adequately in a harmonised manner across all federal states.997

The Italian Ministry of the Interior issued guidance on the identification, referral and support of applicants with special needs in an effort to harmonise territorial practices,998as suggested by Save the Children and UNHCR.999The Norwegian UDI is developing guidelines on identifying victims of torture. In addition, several authorities across the EU+ observed an increase in the number of people with special needs due to a rise in health issues.

The Lithuanian Red Cross Society conducted a study on the challenges faced by applicants who chose to live outside of reception facilities. Gaps included access to a vulnerability assessment procedure when not staying in the reception facility.1000

 

  • 993European Commission (EC) Migration and Home Affairs. (2023, January 15). Reporting on progress made the Pilot Project for fast asylum and return procedures with Romania. https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2023-10/Reporting%20on%20the%20results%20of%20the%20Pilot%20Project%20for%20fast%20asylum%20and%20return%20procedures%20with%20Romania_en.pdf
  • 994Romanian National Council for Refugees (CNRR) | Consiliul Național Român pentru Refugiați. (2023). Input to the Asylum Report 2024.

  • 995Resolución de la Secretaria de Estado de Migraciones, de 9 de enero de 2023, por la que se adopta el sistema de indicadores para la planificación del itinerario de acogida y la prestación de condiciones reforzadas de acogida [Resolution of the Secretary of State for Migration, of January 9, 2023, which adopts the system of indicators for planning the reception itinerary and the provision of enhanced reception conditions], January 9, 2023. https://sede.inclusion.gob.es/documents/387478/1674612/Resolucion_sistema_indicadores.pdf/ace64769-5fc1-90f9-3e4b-16a267498b3a?t=1675330215522
  • 996Federal Law Gazette | Bundesgesetzblatt. (2022, December 21). Gesetz zur Beschleunigung der Asylgerichtsverfahren und Asylverfahren vom 21 Dezember 2022 [Law to accelerate asylum court procedures and asylum procedures of December 21, 2022].

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  • 997European Council on Refugees and Exiles. Input to the Asylum Report 2024.

  • 998Ministero dell‘Interno | Ministry of the Interior. (June 2023). Vademecum. Per la rilevazione, il referral e la presa in carico delle persone portatrici di vulnerabilità in arrive sul territorio ed inserite nel sustema di protezione e di accoglienza [Vademecum for the detection, referral and taking charge of vulnerable people arriving in the area and included in the protection and reception system]. https://www.interno.gov.it/sites/default/files/2023-06/vademecum.pdf
  • 999Save the Children and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Mappatura sullo stato attuale delle procedure di identificazione e accertamento dell’età [Mapping on the current state of identification and age assessment procedures].

  • 1000Lietuvos Raudonasis kryžius | Red Cross Lithuania. (2023). Savo pasirinktoje vietoje gyvenančių prieglobsčio prašytojų iššūkiai laukiant sprendimų dėl prieglobsčio suteikimo [Challenges of asylum seekers living in the place of their choice while awaiting asylum decisions].