Information for Sponsors and Ukrainians arriving in Northern Ireland

Information for Ukrainians arriving in Northern Ireland and for sponsors taking part in the Homes for Ukraine Scheme is available online at www.nidirect.gov.uk/ukraine and www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/publications/information-ukrainians-arriving-northern-ireland.As you will appreciate there are many things still being worked through and developed so this information will continue to be added to once further arrangements and details become available. We have set out below an overview of the home requirements, safeguarding arrangements and necessary support to both those arriving and sponsors under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. This is subject to refinement and therefore you should continue to check www.nidirect.gov.uk/ukraine for updates on these arrangements.

Home requirements for offers of accommodation

Accommodation must be available for at least six months, be fit for people to live in, and suitable for the number of people to be accommodated.

Two people should not be in one room unless they are: adult cohabiting partners; a parent and child; two siblings of the same gender if aged over 10; two siblings regardless of gender if aged under 10. Individuals who didn’t previously know each other should not be given the same room.

More details on the accommodation requirements can be found on ‘A guide for sponsors living in Northern Ireland’ at www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/publications/information-ukrainians-arriving-northern-ireland.

Safeguarding checks

Those arriving under the Scheme will have met standard security checks prior to being issued with a visa. Sponsors and all adults in sponsors’ households will also be subject to initial Police National Computer (PNC), criminal records and Warnings Index checks by the Home Office. Sponsors and those in their household may need to provide written consent for some of the checks being undertaken and it is important that sponsors are willing to co-operate where required, recognising that they are in the interests of everyone’s safety.

Home visits

To ensure the safety of sponsors and the safety of Ukrainian guest(s), sponsors will receive a home visit by Extern or Barnardo’s who are carrying out these visits on behalf of government. This also provides an opportunity to ensure that both the Ukrianian guest(s) and sponsor are aware of all the support available and linked into useful networks and important services.

Ukraine Assistance Centres

To support those who have arrived in Northern Ireland from Ukraine, under either the Family Scheme or Homes for Ukraine Scheme, Ukraine assistance centres have been set-up to provide advice on key services including health assessments, education, jobs, benefits, housing and immigration. Details on assistance centres can be found at: www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/ukraine-assistance-centres Those attending will need to bring ID and proof of the scheme under which they are registered. Arrangements for the assistance centres will be kept under review in response to the demand for services.

Further information

There are a number of charities and groups linking sponsors with guests. An organisation called RESET has been commissioned by the UK Government to help facilitate links between people from Ukraine and sponsors who have no prior connections.

There is a helpful Homes for Ukraine sponsor toolkit on the RESET webpage (www.resetuk.org) and the section on thinking about your support may be of particular interest [Thinking about your support • Reset Communities and Refugees (resetuk.org)]