Comparing Refugee Integration Experiences in the <scp>UK</scp> : Community Sponsorship and the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme

ABSTRACT The global increase in displaced populations underscores the need for diverse refugee solutions, with Western countries expanding resettlement and sponsorship programmes. Sponsorship programmes, involving private and community actors in refugee support, are often credited with offering more comprehensive, personalised assistance than government‐led resettlement, leading to assumptions of better integration experiences. However, empirical evidence is limited. This study compares the integration experiences of refugees resettled in the UK through the government‐led Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) delivered via local‐authority caseworker support and the volunteer‐led Community Sponsorship (CS) scheme. Using the Home Office's Indicators of Integration framework, the findings show that differences in social support are mediated by structural and institutional factors and do not consistently translate into significant disparities in employment, education, or health experiences. Structural barriers, such as the non‐recognition of refugees' qualifications, persist across both schemes. The study highlights the need for a multi‐stakeholder approach to refugee integration.