Find below the latest update of the Homes for Ukraine scheme
Data flows:
As at 25th May, 408 Ukranian guests have arrived in Warwickshire (based on their visa status). A further 615 guests have been matched to hosts in Warwickshire, meaning the total number of guests could rise to 1,023. Warwickshire has a total of 396 matched hosts.
Accommodation checks:
To date, 297 accommodation checks have been completed. This represents 74% of the 399 properties that have been offered to the scheme.
Disclosure and Barring Service checks:
A total of 336 DBS checks have been initiated across the 396 host households involved in the scheme.
Homes for Ukraine community support:
Communities and Partnerships team in collaboration with Libraries organised two events to welcome any new arrivals in Warwickshire. With the resettlement of Afghan and Syrian guests as well as other nationalities continuing to settle in Warwickshire, it is our aim to provide a Warm Welcome to all in Warwickshire.
Our first event took place on the 23rd of May at Leamington Spa Library where the newcomers had the opportunity to sign up to library service as well as find out about support available to them. We were joined by colleagues from the Equality & Inclusion Partnership and Warwickshire Community & Voluntary Action as well as Stratford District and Warwick District councils colleagues. Local Police Community Support Officers were also in attendance. We had around 25 attendees including a poet and a violinist who were able to perform at the event. One of the Ukrainian guests gave a speech about how grateful they are for the welcome they have received. Colleagues and partners gave feedback that the event was very relaxing, enabling the attendees to find out about things at their own pace.
The second event took place on Thursday 26th of May at the Rugby library. It was attended by around 25 people and The High Sherriff of Warwickshire, David Kelham. The High Sherriff said that he “wouldn’t miss it” and he shared his experience through his social media. Other feedback included: “Thank you for all your effort in putting this event together.”
Welcome to Warwickshire events
Family Information Service (FIS) support:
The FIS team are managing the welfare visits and the helpline calls/emails. To deal with the increase in demand we have successfully recruited additional staff to support with this work, 3 of whom are Ukrainian/Russian speakers. We hope they will be in post over the next couple of weeks.
The helpline continues to be busy with an increase in demand and complexity of calls and emails. Queries regarding re-matching are increasing, and a dedicated email has been introduced to deal with these. The dedicated email is: ukrainerematching@warwickshire.gov.uk
A total of 133 welfare visits have taken place with a further 25 appointments in the diary. The visits continue to be well received and are serving much more than a tick box exercise to enable payments to be made. The vast majority of feedback is positive, guests report that Warwickshire in general and their hosts specifically have been very welcoming and supportive. English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision is still in demand along with support around Universal Credit, National Insurance, employment and school admissions. Intelligence gained at these visits enables us to update our webpage information and areas of support.
Comms:
We have updated and redesigned the dedicated page for the Homes for Ukraine scheme. The “News” section has been added and updated with scheduled events for sponsors and hosts, news releases and member briefings.
https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ukraine
Health including Mental Wellbeing:
Clinical Commissioning Group Commissioners continue to be fully cited to the database of live Ukrainian arrivals in order to plan primary care delivery. A Ukrainian speaking GP based in Rugby will triage those refugees living in Rugby Borough.
With regard to mental health service provision – usual routes via Wellbeing for Warwickshire services (open access mental health support) are available for guests and sponsors, as are crisis and secondary care mental health services. A short guide/leaflet has been produced with services available and will be available soon. The leaflet will also feature lower-level support such as walking and talking services.
Agreement has been made that spot purchase of individual trauma/specialised therapy via the Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre will be commissioned for individuals who may need this. It is likely this will accessed be through GP referral. The details are being finalised.
Schools:
All applications for school places are being processed by the Council's Schools Admissions Team, via the ‘in year’ process. Head Teachers have been briefed in the weekly update through Heads Up. A summary will also go out via email to all schools. The Education Cell continue to meet weekly to discuss issues as they arise.
Contact Details for the Homes for Ukraine Support Teams: Homes for Ukraine Scheme- Member briefing 25032022
- Email for General Enquiries: ukraine@warwickshire.gov.uk
- Telephone Number for General Enquiries: 0800 408 1447
- Email for the Disclosure and Barring Service: UkraineDBS@warwickshire.gov.uk
- Email for Payment Enquiries: UkrainePayments@warwickshire.gov.uk
- Email for Rematching Enquiries: ukrainerematching@warwickshire.gov.uk