Migrant Action and Migration Exchange jointly held a consultation workshop in Leeds attended by a host of agencies to explore leadership development in the migration sector. The workshop formed part of a wider national consultation to evaluate the current state of leadership development in the sector and based on its findings, set out a new model for leadership development. 

Participants recognized the importance and urgency to develop leadership capacity for people from refugee and migrant backgrounds who have lived experience of migration system. Participants critiqued the acute lack of diversity and inclusion in leadership in the migration sector which they attributed fundamentally to an entrenched ‘systemic problem’ underpinned by the undervaluing and devaluing of leadership abilities and potential of individuals from refugee and migrant backgrounds. 

Participants recognized the positive ‘shift’ over the last decade as more people with lived experience of migration take up management and leadership positions in the sector. However, these were largely individualistic rather than systemic. To ensure greater and sustainable progress requires a step-change brought about through systematically growing leadership and management capacity and increasing access to leadership opportunities for people with lived experience of migration. Embedding leadership development within the communities would ensure sustainability and a shift the mind-set from deficit to asset based communities. 

Migrant Action strongly believes that in order to achieve such a step-change, leadership development model must produce ‘whole leaders’ who fully grasp the relevance of synchronizing the intellect, body, mind and soul to provide effective leadership in increasingly diverse and inclusive societies. As an organization, we are committed to developing leadership capacity amongst migrants.

Migrant Action has joined other partners to form a new collaborative platform for supporting migrant communities in Barnsley. We are excited about the new partnership working together with The Youth Association, Barnsley Refugee Advice Project, ELSH (Education Learning Support Hub)to better understand the local migration landscape in order to identify gaps and collaboratively deliver vital interventions for migrants and local communities.

The migration partnership opens up new operational and strategic opportunities for Migrant Action and its partners in Barnsley to increase awareness and access to vital services for migrants, improve collaboration between migration services and other voluntary, statutory and private services, develop and share good practice and influence system change.

The Partnership aims at forging an integrated and whole approach to migration working to prevent vulnerability and maximise opportunities for migrants to realise their potential and increase integration and social harmony. The Partnership hopes to broaden and strengthen in the months ahead. This is a very exciting development for Migrant Action as we look to brighter days ahead working in Barnsley/South Yorkshire.

In an increasingly challenging migration environment underpinned by global political instability, protracted conflicts, increasing economic insecurity and a resurgence of nationalist sentiments across Europe, there is urgency for effective leadership in the migration sector. Such leadership needs to be reflective of contemporary realities of issues and societies whilst strategically focused on the bigger picture and long term challenges. 

In the development of this leadership response, people with lived experience of migration play an integral part recognising and building on their experiences. This shift from being ‘recipients’ of leadership to ‘Givers’ of leadership would add significant value to leadership and service delivery experiences across the sector.

It is against this backdrop that Migrant Action hosted a Leadership Development consultative workshop in Leeds organised by Migration Exchange as part of a national consultation on Leadership and Development in the Migration sector. Workshop participants from the Refugee Council, Leeds City Council, HANA project-Hull, Migrants Organise, MERMEC and Migrant Action shared experiences (personal and organisational). 

Participants recognising the value of good leadership in ensuring quality service delivery, growth and sustainability acknowledged that leadership development does not often constitute ‘investment priority’ for most organisations who are struggling with small budgets. Ever limited funds prioritise frontline service provision responding to client needs rather than staff leadership development. Therefore, funders have a role in shaping organisational cultures and attitudes towards leadership development.

Participants also reinforced concerns about the lack of diversity in leadership in the sector acknowledging that too many organisations in the sector have leadership and governance structures/personnel that do not reflect the communities they serve. They observed this trend reflected a wider structural problem of prejudice, discrimination and racism which is under serving people of lived experience of migration and other groups. This needs to be acknowledged within organisations and leadership take responsibility in systematically addressing it. There was also recognition that people of lived experience need to get better in mobilising and organising themselves in order to be able to influence and achieve the change they seek.

Finally, the model for delivering leadership development needs to fundamentally change. A real shift is required towards a more inclusive, nurturing, empowerment and sustainability-led model. At the heart of the new model must be a thriving partnership between migration and other sectors. Equally, a good partnership with migrant communities to identify, develop and embed good leadership.

Migrant Action will continue working with Migration Exchange on this consultation whilst continuing conversations with local partners.

Non asylum seeking migrants in Barnsley and Doncaster (South Yorkshire) encounter similar challenges as those in Leeds, however these challenges are made worse due to the significant lack of appropriate support. As such, vulnerability is even more entrenched amongst migrants leading to poor migration and integration outcomes.  

Through building partnerships and working collaboratively with local community based organisations, Migrant Action effectively pursues its ambition of resolving their immediate concerns while empowering migrants negotiate pathways to integration.  Through our partnership with ELSH (Education Learning Support Hub- Barnsley), Migrant Action will become an integral part of an increasingly vibrant hub in the heart of the community thereby rendering our services more accessible to people who need our support. Our partnership with ELSH would increase access to other vital services within the hub and widely.

Equally, our partnership with The Youth Association, opens new pathways for engagement with the Roma communities in Barnsley and Doncaster to support young new arrivals and their families. Migrant Action’s engagement with the ROMA community has particular significance as there is growing anxiety amongst EU citizens regarding their right to stay in the UK after the UK leaves the EU.  

Identifying key stakeholders, building partnerships and working collaboratively to deliver support is central to Migrant Action’s strategy for consolidation, growth and social change.  We look forward to working with our partners in South Yorkshire.