Free online ESOL programme for refugees - but be quick!
The Home Office has recently launched the STEP Ahead Pilot Programme – a FREE 12 week, online English language programme for refugees with settled status living in the UK.
The registration deadline is 31st October 2024 and NATECLA would urge as many of your ESOL learners to sign up to incentivise the Home Office to extend the pilot and fund similar programmes like this in the future.
This week the Home Office is launching a pilot to test an intensive, digital approach to supporting refugee employability. The pilot, STEP Ahead, will run over 12-weeks and will be delivered by World Jewish Relief. STEP Ahead builds on the success of STEP Ukraine, a similar MHCLG-funded digital programme for Ukrainians which was also designed and delivered by World Jewish Relief (WJR).
All refugees living in the UK, including individuals who have been granted protection under the Immigration Rules, and those who arrived on one of the following schemes can apply to join the pilot:
Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP scheme)
Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS scheme)
Community Sponsorship Mandate Scheme
Family Reunion
UK Resettlement Scheme
Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme
Granted Refugee status after claiming Asylum
STEP Ahead will open for registration from week commencing 14th October and is on track for teaching to start at the end of November. During the pilot, participants will receive 12-weeks employability support and 10-weeks of intensive digital ESOL lessons. Registration on STEP Ahead is voluntary, complementing existing English language and employment support services.
STEP Ahead will test intensive digital support and whether and to what extent this helps refugees to overcome known barriers to accessing English language training and employment. An independent evaluation partner has been appointed to review the pilot. This evaluation, along with findings of other programmes and research, will be used to inform future policy. STEP Ahead is time limited, there are no plans for extension beyond the duration of this pilot.