In England and Wales, 65% of the population lacks access to a legal aid provider for immigration and asylum matters. For refugees and asylum seekers already navigating immense challenges, the consequences are devasting.
Thousands are without access to the legal support they urgently need, especially those with complex cases in so-called legal advice deserts - areas where legal aid services are virtually non-existent.
At the same time, the sector is under immense strain. A severe shortage of qualified immigration advisers, combined with difficulties in recruiting and retaining experienced professionals, means grassroots organisations are constantly firefighting. Newly qualified staff are often thrown in at the deep end, without the opportunity to build confidence or skills - leading to widespread burnout across an already overstretched sector.
COMPASS: THE ASYLUM AID ADVISOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
To tackle this problem, in partnership with the Justice Together Initiative, we developed a levelling-up solution known as ‘Compass Project’. Since its launch in 2023, we have been training, supervising and delivering peer support for immigration advisers working in advice deserts across England and Wales, including Cornwall, Cardiff and South Yorkshire.
Led by our expert supervisor with over 25 years of experience, we offer in-depth training for advisers from refugee organisations, who would otherwise struggle to afford this support, as well as shadowing opportunities, intensive legal supervision, monthly group clinical supervision, and peer support groups.
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More refugees and asylum seekers across the country in legal advice deserts can access specialised advice, ensuring efficient and fair outcomes.
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Participants are more confident in their ability to tackle more complex cases, building organisational capacity.
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Participants are better supported and networked, and more resilient and motivated to stay in the sector, sustainably increasing sector capacity.
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A sustainable pipeline of expert immigration advisers who are well-networked is created.
Applications for our next cohort are now open!
Expressions of interest should be submitted by Friday 31 October 2025 via email to Michael White (michael.white@asylumaid.org.uk).
Interviews will be held online between Monday 17 and Tuesday 25 November 2025.
Selected trainees/organisations will be notified of the offer to participate in the programme by 28 November 2025.
I found the format extremely engaging. Having such a small group with a trainer ... probably made it the most interactive training I’ve attended and as such I think really increased my learning.