If checks raise a concern: Homes for Ukraine
What to do if any of the checks the council makes give cause for concern.
The safety of guests and sponsors/hosts within the Homes for Ukraine scheme is paramount. Councils should assess whether any of the information gathered through their checks impacts upon a sponsor/host’s suitability.
Concerns about accommodation
Where the council has concerns about the suitability of accommodation, they should speak with the owner of the property about changes that could be made to remedy any issues before deeming the property unsuitable.
Councils should remain vigilant to safeguarding risks and where concerns arise use existing guidance and frameworks to take appropriate action.
Concerns about a sponsor/host
Where a council assesses that a sponsor/host is unsuitable, they should record this information in the Share Homes for Ukraine (“Share”) system as soon as possible. When a council has failed a check in Share it is possible that a visa will be refused.
In cases where the Homes for Ukraine applicant has not been issued a visa, the visa application will be refused. If the applicant still wants to come to the UK, they will need to find a new sponsor and submit a new application. The government will also contact the sponsor in certain situations to confirm that the application will not be progressed.
In cases where the guest has already been issued with a visa, but has not yet arrived in the UK, the council should monitor if and when the guest arrives and consider offering a rematch.
Take reasonable steps to inform guests
Councils should take reasonable steps to contact guests to inform them that the sponsor/host has not met the requirements of the scheme and set out the alternative options available to the guest.
In cases where the guest has already arrived at the sponsor/host’s household, the council will be responsible for contacting the guest and the sponsor/host. It is crucial they do this as soon as possible, particularly where there are safeguarding concerns.
Begin the rematch process
Where the guest cannot stay with the sponsor/host upon arrival due to safeguarding or accommodation concerns, the council should help secure or provide alternative accommodation. In such cases, the guest is eligible for homelessness assistance. Any applications for homelessness assistance should be assessed in the usual way.
Councils may be able to end a homelessness prevention or relief duty owed to a guest by facilitating a rematch, provided that the new placement and accommodation are suitable, and there is a reasonable prospect of it continuing to be available for at least 6 months.
You may need to help your guest find a rematch.
Where the guest is a child who has been granted a visa to be sponsored by a parent or legal guardian in the UK, councils should act in line with their statutory child safeguarding duties, including the Working together to safeguard children guidance.
If a guest intends to leave their child
Where parents/legal guardians have applied through the Homes for Ukraine scheme they should travel and stay with their children. Once in the UK, guests should not leave their child in the care of a sponsor/host (or an accompanying adult relative) for a period of 28 days or more. Guests must also not leave their child in the care of a sponsor (or an accompanying relative) for shorter periods on a regular basis.
If exceptional circumstances mean that the parent(s)/legal guardian must leave their child in the care of a sponsor/host for a short period, guidance is clear that they should agree this with the sponsor/host and inform the council in advance so they can carry out additional sponsor/host suitability checks where appropriate.
If the child has been left with a sponsor/host, or another adult in the UK, further information can be found in the guidance for councils about unaccompanied children identified already living in the UK.
Updates to this page
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Information brought up to date.
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Changes to the Homes for Ukraine sponsor eligibility criteria - to allow a parent or legal guardian to sponsor their child.
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Information added advising that parents / legal guardians must not leave their children in the care of the sponsor for a prolonged time or repeatedly.
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First published.