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<p>The Asylum, Resettlement Councils Senior Engagement Group (ARCSEG) meets every
3 months, with additional meetings held outside the quarterly cycle in exceptional
circumstances. The meetings are chaired by the Director of Asylum Support and Chief
Executive of the Local Government Association.</p><p>Accommodation provision and shortfall,
such as contingency, dispersed and resettlement cohort accommodation, have and continue
to feature prominently as a core agenda item for ARCSEG meetings. This is in addition
to further discussion and progress tracking through other local government engagement
forums such as the weekly cross-government Strategic Oversight Group and Ministerial
Task Group.</p><p>In the last ARCSEG meeting on 13 December 2022 there was a constructive
dialogue between Home Office officials and Local Government Chief Executives on a
range of accommodation and housing issues. ARCSEG actions are progressed between meetings
through “Deep Dive” sub-groups, all of which have local government representation.</p><p>We
also regularly engage with our accommodation providers to discuss any issues that
arise and ensure best practice is always followed. The performance of our providers
is monitored closely by dedicated staff in each contract area, who are in daily contact
with them. This is supplemented by a formal governance process which includes quarterly
Strategic Review Management Boards and monthly Contract Management Groups. Service
credits and subsequent improvement plans are discussed and monitored as part of this
process</p>
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