Local authority of sanctuary accreditation confirmed for county council and partners
Oxfordshire County Council is the first county council to be awarded local authority of sanctuary status, underpinning its commitment to supporting people fleeing war, persecution and serious human rights violations.
The accreditation has been awarded by the City of Sanctuary UK movement following assessment by a panel of experts on migration.
Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “The county council is immensely proud of the work it has undertaken to support refugees and asylum seekers arriving in Oxfordshire. Supporting people who arrive with very little and enabling them to regain their confidence and independence is not only the right thing to do, but it also reduces the risk of future pressure on vital services.
“We are especially proud of our partnership with Asylum Welcome and the bus companies to provide free bus passes for asylum seekers in Oxford. The scheme has already had a positive impact.
“It has enabled them to access services that are not close by, as well as provide a safe way to escape the pressures of living in a hotel on a long-term basis, while learning about the Oxfordshire way of life.”
“Oxfordshire has always been a welcoming place and achieving sanctuary status underpins the county council’s commitment to welcoming all sanctuary seekers coming to the county, regardless of how they arrived.”
The county council’s vision is to lead positive change and make Oxfordshire a greener, fairer and healthier county. The council is committed to responding in a humane way to all people seeking sanctuary, supporting our priorities of reducing inequality and preventing a greater increase in demand for services in the future.
As a member of the Oxfordshire Migration Partnership, the county council works alongside the city and district councils, voluntary and community sector organisations, the NHS and Thames Valley Police to ensure a warm welcome to everyone, regardless of how they arrived.
Together, partners have supported over 8,000 refugees and asylum seekers to access the services that they need. These include help to find their own accommodation; gain employment; register with a GP and attend hospital appointments; get children into school; use libraries as places to learn English; and make new friends within communities.
Work is now underway to finalise the Council of Sanctuary action plan (2025-2028) and ensure Oxfordshire grows as a place of welcome and inclusion for people seeking sanctuary for many years to come.
Sian Summers-Rees, the Chief Officer of City of Sanctuary UK said: “Oxfordshire County Council’s recognition as the first county council of sanctuary is a testament to its commitment to compassion, inclusion and support for those seeking sanctuary.
“This award reflects years of dedicated work to create a more welcoming, fair, and inclusive county, work that will continue through partnerships, community engagement and practical action.
“By embedding sanctuary principles across services, we not only support new arrivals but also strengthen our communities, fostering understanding, resilience, and a sense of belonging for all.”
The award has been achieved following a motion passed at a meeting of all county councillors in November 2023, approval by the council’s cabinet in June 2024 and an assessment by the City of Sanctuary UK peer review group on 10 March 2025.