The COSLA Refugees & Asylum Seekers Consortium was set up in December 1999 to manage and monitor the commissioning and provision of accommodation and other services for asylum seekers. Management of the Consortium transferred from Glasgow City Council to COSLA in January 2004. http://www.asylumscotland.org.uk

C.A.R.A. is a unique organisation that helps refugees with academic backgrounds to re-establish their careers in the UK. CARA runs a small grants programme and an information and advice service. http://www.academic-refugees.org

Disclosure Scotland. Disclosure Scotland is a service designed to enhance public safety by providing potential employers and the voluntary sector with criminal history information on individuals applying for posts. Disclosure Scotland issues certificates - known as "Disclosures" - which give details of an individual's criminal convictions or state that they have none. www.disclosurescotland.co.uk

Positive Action in Housing is a Scottish wide minority-ethnic led charity who assist minority ethnic and refugee communities to overcome homelessness, racial harassment and poor housing through a casework/advocacy service. www.paih.org

R.A.G.U. The Refugee Assessment and Guidance Unit (RAGU) is a London-based organization which was set up in 1995 in order to improve the employment prospects of refugees and asylum-seekers with higher level education or professional qualifications from their own countries http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/ragu

The Scottish Refugee Council is a charity providing advice, information and assistance to asylum seekers and refugees in Scotland. Asylum seekers and refugees can call their Freephone number for advice:  0800 085 6087 (09:30-16:00 Monday to Friday) www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is an impartial humanitarian organisation mandated by the United Nations to lead and co-ordinate international action for the world-wide protection of refugees and the resolution of refugee problems. It has two basic and closely related aims: to protect refugees and to seek ways to help them restart their lives in a normal environment. www.unhcr.org.uk

The Refugee Engineers Database is an online resource for refugees with engineering experience gained abroad who are looking for employment in the UK and for agencies that provide support for them. www.refugee-engineers.org.uk