Role of Business Adviser

As a Business Adviser to a refugee client, it is important that your approach is a holistic one that enables your client to realise his or her business aspirations. The survival rate of refugee-owned businesses is greater than that of other communities. It may be the only option they have, due to the barriers they will encounter in accessing the conventional employment market, such as discrimination, poor English skills or their qualifications not being recognised as valid in the UK.

Community-based business advice and support is essential to reaching out and enabling refugees to establish their businesses. The Refugee Council has found that refugees tend to seek help within their own communities. If you do not work within a refugee organisation, it is important that you are aware of the situation faced by refugee business people. Guidance will be available to you from specialists within ACBBA and there are several other sources of information and advice. You may need to tailor your service to accommodate the needs of refugee clients. You will need to offer advice in convenient locations, such as clients’ homes, and may need to operate outside office hours.