A study found nearly every asylum seeker in Glasgow faced abuse each day, but there are signs of improvement, writes Andrew Denholm

They come from across the world, escaping from desperate circumstances and hoping to begin a new life. But, for many asylum seekers, the hardship does not stop when they reach our shores.

A new report into the experience of asylum seekers living in Scotland's largest city has found that nearly all have been subjected to racist abuse on a daily basis in communities and schools - treatment which was last night described as "completely unacceptable" by the Scottish Refugee Council (SRC).

Officials from HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE), who interviewed more than 200 children and parents in Glasgow, found that "almost all" reported experience of racial harassment, from verbal abuse to physical attacks.

Inspectors also found that while primary schools were seen as a safe haven from racism and incidents were dealt with quickly and effectively, the picture in secondaries was less encouraging.

"Children felt less safe in secondary school settings, where they had lower confidence in reporting racial harassment or bullying," the report found.

Inspectors recognised that action was being taken to address the issue through a number of initiatives, including successful football tournaments organised by Strathclyde Police between asylum-seeker children and local teenagers.

"Staff across services worked hard to promote integration and positive relationships. Work had been done to challenge stereotypes and misunderstandings that contribute to racial harassment," the report states.

Nick Morgan, SRC head of services, said: "Racism towards refugees and asylum seekers is abhorrent, particularly when people have come to this country to seek protection."

Mr Morgan went on to call for greater efforts to be made by all those involved to ensure asylum seekers "felt safe in their communities and schools".

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said other studies had indicated that asylum seekers felt safer on the streets of Glasgow than Glaswegians, but said it was "deeply regrettable" that anyone should be subjected to racial harassment.

"If any form of racial abuse is brought to the attention of the council then we will use the powers at our disposal to address fully these complaints," he said.

Despite concerns over racism, the HMIE report found services provided to asylum seekers in the city by the council, NHS and police largely had a positive impact on their lives.

There are currently some 2026 asylum-seeking families with 1411 children of school age in Glasgow. Families have arrived from 54 different countries.

The inspection team said the services provided by different agencies had a positive impact on children and their parents in terms of including them in society. They also commended the work of schools in promoting inclusion and integration, and supporting children's learning, particularly in English language.

There was also praise for the work of the voluntary sector, including local initiatives, groups and specialist services such as the Glasgow Asylum Seekers Support Project. Staff across services demonstrated a "high level of innovation, dedication and enthusiasm for working with children".

However, the report went on to call for some improvements, including a stepping up of work already in place to address racial harassment. In addition, it discussed concerns that asylum-seeker families felt opportunities for education and employment were restricted.

Local authorities have a duty to provide nursery places for all three and four-year-old children, regardless of their immigration status. Inspectors said all services should take steps to ensure that all eligible children were provided with such a place.

There was also concern over the difficulties bright asylum-seeker children face when they apply for a university place.

As revealed in The Herald last month, when asylum seekers leave school they are not entitled to financial support for higher education and are usually required to pay fees at the rate paid by overseas students.

However, they cannot legally work to pay for their studies under UK government rules. Asylum seekers are similarly restricted in taking up university education in England and Wales, but some Scots universities already run small-scale initiatives to scrap fees and provide bursaries for a limited number of high-achieving asylum seekers.

Universities Scotland, which represents university principals, has already called on the Scottish Executive to give the children of asylum seekers who attend Scottish secondary schools the same rights as Scottish-domiciled students. "Anyone who has seen the enthusiasm and commitment of these talented children in the Scottish school system will be in no doubt what an asset they could be to Scotland," said a spokesman.

Yesterday's HMIE report also supported the calls, suggesting that the executive "consider the feasibility of responding to aspirations among asylum-seeker children to undertake degree-level study".

The call was backed by the SRC, with Mr Morgan saying: "We share the frustration of these high-achievers that they are denied access to higher education and opportunities when they leave school.

"Therefore, we call on the executive to respond to the report's recommendation to allow the children of asylum seekers to undertake degree- level study. The alternative is to waste yet more talent and skill."

An executive spokeswoman said: "Ministers are currently examining what the government can do to ensure the needs of asylum-seeker children.

"The Education Secretary, Fiona Hyslop, is expected to bring a paper to cabinet on the issues around asylum soon."