Principles

In taking forward its work, the Inquiry will hold itself to the following key principles: 

• Evidence-based: The Inquiry is an evidential exercise which will draw on a wide range of evidence including academic understanding, practitioner, and lived experience to better understand the asylum support and accommodation system in Glasgow and how it functioned during the pandemic

• Independent and Impartial: The Inquiry is independent of any particular group or interest. The findings and outcome of the Inquiry will be determined solely by the Inquiry Panel and all evidence will be heard impartially

• Inclusive and Empowering: The Inquiry will support and facilitate the widest range of participants to give evidence and to be heard. This includes citizens who were affected (including service users, staff, volunteers, wider community members), politicians, public bodies, statutory and voluntary service providers. It also seeks to recognise the potential of citizens as change agents

• Safe and Secure: All witnesses will be given the opportunity to be heard and to submit evidence anonymously and personal information will be treated strictly in line with Data Protection policies and procedures. The Inquiry will also seek to ensure support is available for those impacted by their experiences of the asylum system during the process of engaging with the Inquiry

• Forward-looking and systems-based: The Inquiry seeks to review the functioning of the system to date and identify ways in which institutions, authorities, local communities, and people with direct experience of the system might come together to co-design and co-deliver a better system