After a summit on how to respond to the Syrian refugee crisis, a spokesman for Cosla said: "this is not simply about matching people to houses, it is much more complex than that".
The body representing the majority of Scottish councils hosted the meeting, but it was also attended by a wide range of experts from the UK and Scottish Governments and charities to discuss how Syrian refugees are to be resettled in Scottish communities.
Housing refugees will be the most immediate concern for many. Councils with housing lists already under pressure will be anxious to ensure allocations are suitable and fair to existing residents. Many councils have limited housing stock of their own now, so housing associations and private providers will play a critical role.
But there are many other issues to be considered. As well as housing, Cosla said: "it is about ensuring that they are able to integrate peacefully and fully into Scottish life."
Refugee families will need access to schooling, those who need to learn English will need classes, those with medical needs, will need to be close to the relevant services, especially those who have suffered traumatic experiences who may need mental health help. Unaccompanied children bring particular challenges. David Cameron has pledged vulnerable people, including children will be prioritised in accepting refugees from Syria. But when children come alone seeking asylum, they automatically become 'looked after' children, with significant statutory rights to ongoing support.
Integration is high on the agenda too and this is one area in which charities could have a key role. But councils also have expertise. While Glasgow is the only Scottish Council to have accepted Syrians under the UN resettlement scheme, North Lanarkshire's involvement in resettling 80 Congolese refugees in 2005 is widely regarded as exemplary.
Close partnerships between housing health and social services helped new arrivals settle quickly and access jobs and training. But it is notable that the Motherwell initiative was not repeated, partly because government funding lasted only a year and North Lanarkshire found the support needs of the rehomed group went on long beyond that. Similar limitations will apply to funding this time around. While pledging their willingness to help, councils also want to know what ongoing resources will be available - and whether there will be any Scottish Government finance available too, to back up Holyrood ministers' vocal verbal commitments.
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