 As you may know, there are three main routes by which Ukrainian refugees might arrive in East Sussex:
- Homes for Ukraine
- The Ukraine Family Scheme
- By independent means.
Of these, it’s the first – the Homes for Ukraine scheme – where all of us in the public sector in East Sussex are concentrating our efforts at the moment.
This is the only current route by which we can carry out safeguarding checks and offer the financial support the Government is making available.
So we would strongly recommend that anyone who is independently arranging to host refugees, registers for the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
We know many people are frustrated that visas for Ukrainian guests are not being issued as quickly as they would like. We receive many questions about this.
But visas are entirely managed by the Home Office and we cannot give people any information about the progress of visa applications.
People are asked to contact the Government helpline on:
- +44 808 164 8810
- 0808 164 8810 (in the UK)
Our latest data suggests that at least 818 Ukrainian refugees have been matched with hosts in East Sussex.
Eastbourne
|
97
|
Hastings
|
68
|
Lewes
|
155
|
Rother
|
140
|
Wealden
|
392
|
Total
|
852
|
Only a small handful of these have already arrived in East Sussex. Most will be travelling and/or waiting for visas.
East Sussex County Council has already been in contact with 335 East Sussex hosts who have been matched with these refugees. (A smaller number because many will be hosting more than one person).
Each of those hosts is being asked to provide details of everyone aged 16 or over in their household so that we can carry out DBS and other safety checks to identify any risks. Where a risk is identified, an expert panel will decide appropriate action – which might include moving guests to another property or advising them of risk they could be exposed to. We have safeguarding and data policies in place which set out these procedures in more detail.
Hosts are also being contacted by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service to arrange home visits to ensure properties are suitable for sharing.
In some cases, guests will already have arrived while these checks are being carried out. This is permissible.
We would ask residents not to contact local authorities or ESFRS with questions about when checks will take place. Some are already under way and we will contact everyone as soon as theirs can be arranged.
We have published an information guide for hosts which offers advice and links to help settle guests in the community and access services.
A similar guide for guests, translated into Ukrainian, will be published next week.
The guide for hosts (which can also be printed) is online.
The county council is working with borough and district councils to support them in making payments of £200 to everyone from Ukraine arriving under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. They will also pay an optional £350 a month to hosts who request this support.
The systems for payment are being put in place now and details will be given soon. However, where necessary, emergency support is being provided.
The county council is working with local schools to identify where places can quickly be opened for Ukrainian children to resume their education.
Applications for a school place can be made online:
Apply for a place during the school year | East Sussex County Council
And parents can ask for more help by email form:
Contact us by email | East Sussex County Council
We have opened a telephone advice line for hosts and for elected members.
The number is 01323 724748 and it operates from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday
You can also email enquiries to ukraine@eastsussex.gov.uk
We’d ask that you do not share these contacts publicly, to avoid overwhelming the team answering enquiries from hosts and elected members.
We'll use this newsletter to keep you updated - but you can unsubscribe at any time.
There's a great effort going on across East Sussex to help refugees. Thank you to all who are part of it.
|
