UKVI responsibilities - COMPASS contract
Published 11 February 2014
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4.UKV&I is responsible for providing accommodation, transport and related services through its outsourced providers via the COMPASS contract. It is also responsible for ensuring housing decisions are made with regard to the public sector Equality Duty, detailed in Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010. However, clause 33.1 of contract states:
The Provider shall not throughout the duration of this Contract unlawfully discriminate within the meaning and scope of any law, enactment, order, or regulation relating to discrimination (together “Discrimination Legislation”) (whether in race, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation or otherwise) including without limitation the Equality Act 2010.
The COMPASS contract does not require a specific paper-based assessment to be made in relation to every dispersal, but it expects these to work with agreements made with local authorities. Accommodation requests that cover the individual needs of an applicant are formally issued to providers by the Home Office on a secure system. Providers are made aware that asylum seekers have a range of individual needs and may be vulnerable. They must take account of all those matters in delivery of the services and observe all discrimination legislation whilst doing so.
Under the contract, a provider is required to comply with the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 as if it were listed as a public authority under Schedule 19 of the Act and take all reasonable steps to ensure the observance of Clause 33.1 by all officers, employees, agents, consultants and sub-contractors.