Holistic Refugee Resettlement: Lessons from BCP Council’s Multi-Disciplinary Model

BCP Council’s Multi-Disciplinary Refugee Resettlement Model

Since 2021, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has led the way in developing a multi-disciplinary, trauma-informed approach to refugee resettlement. Their Refugee Resettlement Team brings together professionals from housing, social care, health services, and the voluntary and community sector (VCS) to deliver coordinated, person-centred support. This integrated model has proven highly effective in addressing the complex needs of refugees and former asylum seekers, many of whom arrive with significant trauma, limited English, and no access to stable housing. The team’s proactive and preventative approach focuses on early identification of housing risks, rapid intervention, and sustained support for integration. Staff with lived experience of displacement play a key role in building trust and ensuring culturally sensitive service delivery. The model is not only compassionate but also strategic reducing demand on statutory services and improving long-term outcomes for individuals and families.

©Caritas/Isabel Corthier

Key Outcomes and Impact

• Rough sleeping among refugees is now rare in BCP. The council’s early intervention strategy and rapid response to housing risks have significantly reduced street homelessness, even during periods of national upheaval such as the closure of asylum hotels.

• Temporary accommodation use has been minimised. Despite the challenges posed by fluctuating government policy and increased arrivals, BCP has avoided over-reliance on temporary housing by prioritising swift move-on to settled accommodation.

• Ukraine sponsorship homelessness is increasingly infrequent. As of January 2025, only 43 Ukrainian households had presented as homeless in BCP, a marked improvement from the 706 asylum seekers supported in June 2023. This reflects the council’s success in stabilising housing pathways for those arriving under sponsorship schemes.

• Rapid move-on to settled housing is now the norm. Refugees supported by the team typically transition quickly from asylum accommodation to permanent housing, aided by tenancy sustainment services, health and wellbeing support, and access to education and employment opportunities.

Data Highlights

The effectiveness of BCP Council’s refugee resettlement model is reflected in the data. In June 2024, the number of asylum seekers housed in hotels across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole stood at 399, a significant reduction from 674 the previous year. This 41% decrease demonstrates the council’s success in transitioning individuals from temporary accommodation into more stable housing arrangements, despite national pressures and policy changes.

In early 2025, 30 Ukrainian families with dependent children were recorded as receiving homelessness duties. While any instance of homelessness is concerning, this figure is relatively low given the scale of arrivals under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. It suggests that BCP’s proactive support and housing pathways are mitigating the risk of homelessness among sponsored households.

Nationally, the challenge remains stark. Ukrainian households are 4.4 times more likely to present as homeless than the general population, according to government data. This disparity highlights the importance of targeted, trauma-informed interventions like those employed by BCP. Their model not only addresses immediate housing needs but also supports long-term integration, reducing repeat homelessness and reliance on emergency services.

What Makes the Model Work

BCP’s success is rooted in a multi-disciplinary team that brings together professionals from housing, social care, health, and the voluntary and community sector (VCS). This collaborative structure ensures that refugees receive comprehensive support tailored to their individual circumstances, rather than fragmented services that risk duplication or gaps. A key strength of the model is the inclusion of staff with lived experience of displacement. These team members bring empathy, cultural insight, and credibility, helping to build trust with service users and ensuring that support is delivered in a respectful and informed manner.

The team prioritises early identification of housing risks, conducting proactive assessments that allow for timely interventions before crises escalate. This preventative approach is particularly important given the volatility of national asylum and resettlement policies, which can rapidly change the housing landscape. Finally, the model is underpinned by trauma-informed practice. Recognising the psychological impact of forced migration, the team integrates mental health support into its housing and resettlement services. This holistic approach not only improves wellbeing but also enhances tenancy sustainment and community integration, contributing to long-term stability.

Quotes from Stakeholders

“We are coordinating input from our partners to provide a very warm welcome and support people depending on their needs.” Cllr Karen Rampton, BCP Cabinet Member for Homes

“These are people who have endured unimaginable trauma… they must have a place to call home to help them heal.” Enver Solomon, Chief Executive, Refugee Council

Lessons for Other Councils

BCP Council’s refugee resettlement model offers a blueprint for other local authorities seeking to improve outcomes for displaced communities. Its success is not accidental it is the result of strategic investment, adaptive leadership, and a deep commitment to trauma-informed care.

Invest in Partnerships

BCP’s approach is built on strong, sustained collaboration between statutory services and the voluntary and community sector (VCS). The council works closely with commissioned VCS providers, NHS services, and community organisations to ensure wraparound support is available at every stage of the refugee journey. This partnership model is echoed in national guidance from the Local Government Association and the Greater London Authority, which emphasise the importance of Strategic Migration Partnerships and cross-sector coordination in delivering effective resettlement schemes.

In a 2025 roundtable hosted by the Institute for Government, local authorities cited partnership working as the single most important factor in successful refugee integration.

Adapt to Policy Shifts

BCP has demonstrated agility in responding to national policy changes, including the closure of asylum hotels and shifts in visa schemes. When the Home Office began reducing hotel use in early 2025 cutting daily costs from £9 million to £5.5 million BCP rapidly scaled up its housing pathways to prevent street homelessness. The council’s ability to pivot quickly, develop creative housing solutions, and engage landlords has been critical. For example, under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, BCP offered financial incentives and tenancy support to landlords, resulting in increased uptake and reduced homelessness.

Nationally, asylum hotel use dropped by 15% in the first quarter of 2025, with over 6,000 fewer asylum seekers housed in hotels.

Embed Trauma-Informed Care

BCP’s model is underpinned by trauma-informed principles, recognising that many refugees have experienced profound psychological distress. The council integrates mental health and psychosocial support into housing and resettlement services, ensuring that interventions do not retraumatise individuals but instead promote healing and empowerment. This aligns with national and international best practice. The UK Trauma Council and Refugee Council both advocate for trauma-informed care as essential to refugee wellbeing, noting that trauma can persist long after physical safety is achieved.

Refugees are up to five times more likely to experience PTSD, depression, and anxiety than the general population, according to studies cited by the UK Trauma Council.

“Being trauma-informed means we don’t just offer services; we offer them in a way that avoids retraumatisation and fosters healing.” Glocal Roots

Replicability

BCP Council’s refugee resettlement model is not only effective it’s scalable. The council has actively shared its approach across regional and national networks, positioning it as a blueprint for other local authorities seeking to improve outcomes for refugees and asylum seekers. Its success lies in its adaptability: the model has evolved in response to shifting government policies, fluctuating arrival numbers, and emerging needs within the refugee community.

Importantly, the model aligns with the UNHCR’s Refugee Coordination Model, which advocates for strong government leadership, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and sustainable, community-based planning. BCP’s emphasis on trauma-informed care, lived experience, and multi-agency collaboration reflects best practice principles recognised internationally.

For councils grappling with the pressures of asylum dispersal, sponsorship schemes, and rising homelessness presentations, BCP’s approach offers a practical, proven framework. It demonstrates that with the right partnerships, cultural competence, and strategic foresight, local authorities can deliver dignified, effective support that not only meets immediate housing needs but fosters long-term integration and wellbeing.