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 £350 “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?
- Learning a language
- Help with immigration issues, including Biometric Residence Permits
- Newsletters to sponsors
- Housing options
How can my guest access medical care?
Your guest has the same access to NHS care as you do, and they will receive a detailed guide in their own language to using the NHS in Gloucestershire as part of their Welcome Pack.
You can help your guest to access NHS care by helping them to register with your local GP. They will not need proof of address, immigration status or ID to do this. More information is available at https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/how-to-register-with-a-gp-surgery/.
My guest has special medical or care needs? What should I do?
If your guest has or may have special medical or care needs it is important the local authority is aware of this so that we can help. More information on the services available for children and young people can be found on the NHS website here and contact details for the services provided within Gloucestershire can be found here
It may be appropriate to discuss this during an Initial Welcome Visit, which will enable a care assessment to be arranged if that is appropriate or for details of how to access specialised medical services if that is what is required.
Your guest may feel more comfortable discussing this in private, including with a GP. Sponsors can help best by supporting their guest to have an opportunity to do so.
Mental Health Signposting Sheets