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
We are all of course aware of the difficult circumstances that your guests have experienced in coming to your home. We also know that there is a small possibility that you may observe concerns about an adult or child’s welfare that you think might need additional support from local services, then the following information might help.
The Red Cross has a really useful website containing lots of information about how to support Ukrainian refugees including sources of emotional support.
https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/get-help-as-a-refugee/help-for-refugees-from-ukraine
If you have a concern about a child please contact the Children and Families Services Helpdesk on 01452 426565 (during office hours), but if you are concerned about the immediate safety of a child please contact the Police on 101 at any time.
If you prefer you can send an email to childrenshelpdesk@gloucestershire.gov.uk
The Children and Families Services helpdesk is open between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. To report a concern outside of these hours, please contact the Emergency Duty Team on 01452 614194.
This is an answering machine and you will need to leave a message and your telephone number. Someone will then call you back. Please remember that this number is only for situations that cannot wait until the next working day.
You should contact us if you feel that:
- A child needs protection - if you feel that a child is suffering harm, neglect or abuse, we can investigate and act to protect the child.
- A family is under stress - we can offer support and advice and help families access support from other services.
- A child is seriously ill or disabled - we can arrange an assessment of the child's and families needs and provide support.
Some adults are particularly vulnerable to be hurt or abused because they have a disability, illness, or impairment and need help and support. Depending on others can sometimes make them vulnerable and at risk of abuse, very often from people they know. It isn't always intentional... but it is still abuse. So if you do observe this within the families you are supporting, or in the wider community, then please contact 01452 426868 between 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Out of hours, you can call the Emergency Duty Team on 01452 614194 or email at any time socialcare.enq@gloucestershire.gov.uk