No Recourse to Public Funds: A toolkit for social workers in England

Abstract

The aim of this toolkit is to provide a resource for social workers to understand and reflect on the implications for social work practice of the No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) rule. The toolkit has been collaboratively authored by a collective of social work practitioners, academics and third sector migrant rights workers. We take a human rights approach to practice, and engage with the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF), Social Work England Professional Standards, key legislation, learning from research and case study examples throughout, along with questions for personal reflection. Our intention is not to replace the excellent existing resources for local authorities on supporting people with NRPF, such as the NRPF Network practice guidance for councils, but to be a resource specifically for social work practitioners and students which engages with the values and ethical dilemmas of ethical practice with this user group, in a context where legislation and policy can differ sharply from social work values.