Chapter One Introduction
1.1 The Scottish Executive, through its Access to Justice Agenda, has committed to providing access to legal advice and representation to immigrants and asylum seekers in Scotland. The free provision of advice and representation to individuals not eligible for legal aid is supplied primarily through the Immigration Advisory Service ( IAS) in Scotland.
1.2 IAS is a publicly funded independent organisation that provides advice and representation services to immigrants and asylum seekers. In 2005, the Scottish Executive pledged funding to IAS in Scotland for two years, following which an assessment was to be made on continued funding. Decisions on how the Executive should spend its funds in the future to ensure best value for money are due to be made in March 2007.
1.3 PA Consulting Group was engaged by the Justice Department of the Scottish Executive to undertake an evaluation of the IAS in Scotland. The purpose of the review was to provide valuable evidence about the operation of the organisation, and to inform future funding decisions to ensure the Executive receives best value for money.
1.4 The review was to include:
- An analysis of the efficiency and effectiveness of the IAS
- A cost/benefit analysis of service provision that considers quality, value for money, potential service gaps, and alternative mechanisms for service provision
1.5 This report contains the findings of the review, and is structured as follows:
Chapter 2 Context provides a contextual overview to the review. It includes an overview of the current and future asylum and immigration environment in Scotland, plus the context, funding and regulation of the provision of asylum and immigration legal services.
Chapter 3 Aims and Objectives of the Review summarises the review aims and objectives.
Chapter 4 Review Methodology provides an outline of the methodology used to undertake the review.
Chapter 5 Role of the IAS in Scotland addresses the question "What does the IAS in Scotland do?"
Chapter 6 Analysis of IAS Clients provides an analysis of clients of the IAS to address the question "Who does IAS provide services for?"
Chapter 7IAS Organisation reviews the current operations of IAS in Scotland to address the question "How does IAS provide services?"
Chapter 8 Costs of Service Provision provides a review of costs of IAS service provision, plus associated revenues.
Chapter 9 Evaluation of IAS Service Provision considers quality measures and stakeholder feedback to evaluate IAS service provision. It also considers the uniqueness of the service provided by IAS in Scotland, and assesses this service for value for money.
Chapter 10 Examination of Alternative Sources of Service Provision and Funding provides an examination of alternative sources of service provision for asylum and immigration legal advice and representation.
Chapter 11 Conclusions summarises the conclusions of the report.