serious concerns regarding inconsistent and poor decision-making, lack of legal aid and lack of an appeal right.22 The SDP is discussed in more detail under ‘Views of the statelessness determination procedure’ below. Reports have also drawn attention to some of the everyday challenges stateless persons in the UK face. Many find themselves without legal status and yet unable to be removed. This can put them at risk of arbitrary and prolonged immigration detention.23 They are also at serious risk of destitution and exploitation as they are unable to find formal work and rent a home without a legal status in the country. To further contribute to qualitative research relating to statelessness in the UK, UNHCR wanted to hear directly from stateless persons in the country through conducting a participatory assessment. This involves building a partnership through structured dialogue, explained in more detail in the chapter “Methodology”. The goal of this participatory assessment was to: i) develop an understanding of the experiences and challenges faced when applying for statelessness leave in the UK; and ii) provide insight into the everyday protection challenges faced by stateless persons or those at risk of statelessness. UNHCR also wanted to hear stateless persons’ own proposals for solutions to their problems. To this end, the following chapters provide a brief overview of the backgrounds of the 12 interviewees, their experiences with the SDP and their insight into their own life in the UK. The report concludes with reflections on the interviews and recommendations for improvement. UNHCR hopes that this study can provide a human face to statelessness in the UK. ‘For stateless people, to have a piece of card that has your name is a big deal – it’s a big deal, it’s a big deal.’ - Khalil 22 23 WHAT IS A PARTICIPATORY ASSESSMENT? A Participatory Assessment is a process employed by UNHCR that includes building partnerships with people in need of international protection of all ages and backgrounds by promoting meaningful participation in the design of programmes and advocacy efforts through structured dialogue. A participatory assessment may include holding separate discussions with women, girls, boys, and men, including adolescents, to better understand their specific concerns and challenges and involve them in finding solutions. The information gathered from different groups reflects a diversity of perspectives and viewpoints, minimising the risk of excluding certain groups in the design of programmes and advocacy efforts. Recognised Stateless Person who spent over a decade in limbo, photographed in London during lockdown. © UNHCR/Katie Barlow. Bezzano, J. and Carter, J., Liverpool Law Clinic at the University of Liverpool, Statelessness in Practice: Implementation of the UK Statelessness Application Procedure, 3 July 2018, available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statement-of-changes-to-the-immigration-rules-hc-1919-7-march-2019 European Network on Statelessness, Protecting Stateless Persons From Arbitrary Detention, 2016, available from: https://www.statelessness.eu/sites/www.statelessness.eu/ files/ENS_Detention_Reports_UK.pdf, British Red Cross, Can’t Stay. Can’t Go, 2017, available from: https://www.refworld.org/docid/591965984.html 9