Gloucestershire Homes for Ukraine sponsor guide
Download the Gloucestershire Homes for Ukraine Sponsor Guide or read through the information tabs below.
We have also produced a Welcome to Gloucestershire information pack for Ukrainian guests.
Thank you for offering your home to someone in need. The generosity of people across the county in providing safety and refuge to those fleeing Russia’s war in Ukraine reflects the very best of our county.
We are working with the district councils; the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group; Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (GARAS) and other partners to support sponsors and guests through the Gloucestershire Housing Partnership.
This guidance is being issued by the Gloucestershire Housing Partnership for those who have registered as sponsors in the Homes for Ukraine Scheme in Gloucestershire.
We are still receiving updates and information from central government regarding the scheme; requirements for sponsors; and how local authorities are expected to help.
As more information becomes available, we will continue to update this guide. It should be read alongside the national guidance for sponsors.
Please read this Advice for Host Families pack produced by Barnardos and their partners. It contains more information about Ukraine culture differences and how to support someone suffering from traumatic experiences.
- I have registered as a sponsor but do not know any Ukrainian applicants
- Can I sponsor a young person or child from the Ukraine to live with me?
- I am a sponsor and have a match. What happens next?
- Should I tell the local council my guest is on their way/has arrived?
- I have a match and have put it on the system, but no one has contacted me
- What standards will my property be checked against?
- How will I know the person undertaking a Property Check is from the council?
- What happens if problems are found?
- Providing privacy and security to your guest
- When will I receive my “Thank You” payment?
- What will happen during an Initial Welcome Visit?
- Who needs to be present for an Initial Welcome Visit?
- Will the person visiting speak the same language as my guest?
- What financial support is my Guest entitled to?
- How will my guest be helped to settle into life in the UK, and what can I do?
- How can I help my guest find a place in a local school?
- How to access medical care and what to do
- Press, media and social media
- Introducing your guest to your friends and neighbours, including on social media
- Why is the person visiting my home from a charity and not the council?
- What English-language training is available?
- Opening a bank account
- What should I do if I have concerns about a child or adult’s wellbeing?
- Help with immigration issues, including Biometric Residence Permits
- Newsletters to sponsors
- Housing options
How can I help my guest find a place in a local school?
Although some schools will have places available throughout the year, the choice of school is likely to be limited by the fact that some of the most popular schools will be full when you are applying. The advice for Ukrainian families who need school places is to apply in the usual manner for in-year transfers.
Families should make applications directly to the school(s) of their choice by completing an In Year Application Form and taking this to the school. A paper copy of the In Year Application Form should be completed and sent directly to the preferred schools. This is available here (PDF, 272.5 KB) .
More information regarding In Year applications can be found through the web pages below:
Applying for a school place during the school year
Letter to schools - April 2022
Please be aware of the following:
- Although we are here to support parents and schools, the In Year process is not coordinated by the Local Authority (Gloucestershire County Council) and “Own Admission Authority Schools and Academies” (schools) make their own admission decisions.
- School places cannot be “held” for any family.
- All applications should be made directly to the school.
- The school has 10 /15 days to make a decision about an admission.
- Once offered, the place should be taken up within 15 days.
Over the next few weeks and months, we are expecting Ukrainian families with school-age children to move to Gloucestershire. We want to reassure you schools are working hard to adapt, so thank you for your patience.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank schools and education colleagues for their support and commitment to help children and their families during these challenging times. It is very much appreciated and recognised by Gloucestershire County Council teams.
How to organise learning for Ukrainian children abroad
Ukrainian Ministry of Education has published a resource for pupils, families and online providers. The aim is to support Ukrainian students with maintaining their connection to the education system.
There is an option to translate on the top right of the page.