Homes for Ukraine - support for hosts
What to expect
DBS checks
After you register your interest in becoming a host for the Homes for Ukraine scheme, we will contact you to arrange a free DBS check for every adult that lives in your home (not the arriving refugees).
If you are using an unoccupied property for the scheme, we will still need to do a free DBS check for you, but may not need to check the other members of your family.
We will prioritise your checks if you already have Ukrainian nationals staying with you.
Home checks
Your local council will contact you to arrange a convenient time for the inspection.
They will check to make sure the property:
- is clean, warm, safe and in a reasonable state
- has working smoke detectors on each floor of the property
- has a working carbon monoxide detector in any room containing a solid fuel burning appliance
- has a Gas Safety Certificate (if you have gas appliances). You can find out more about Gas Safety Certificates on the HSE website. You can either arrange this yourself using a gas safe registered engineer or we can arrange one for you.
The visit should last around one hour and you should hear back from us with any issues you need to address within 48 hours.
You can find out more about home checks on the Homes for Ukraine page on GOV.UK.
A welfare check will also take place once your guests have arrived.
Free home fire safety checks
The Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) are supporting hosts by offering free home fire safety visits. The visit may include:
- installing fire alarms
- installing a carbon monoxide alarm
- fire safety advice.
To find out more, visit the KFRS website and quote KFRSUkraine when booking.
Tell us your guests have arrived
Complete this form to tell us your guests have arrived.
If you are unable to complete the form, please call us on 03000 412424.
Payments
Once all checks are completed, including the welfare check once your guests have arrived, you will be paid the £350 payment once a month. This will be backdated from date of arrival.
We will provide Ukrainian refugees with a one-off £200 payment. We will process this as soon as possible after you've completed the form to tell us they have arrived.
Follow up visit
A few days after your guest has arrived, we will visit you again to make sure that everything is okay and to see if you need any further support.
More information
If you have any questions about the Homes for Ukraine scheme, visit the Homes for Ukraine page on GOV.UK
If you need to contact us, email Ukraine@kent.gov.uk.
How to support your guest
It’s really important that you support your guest to access things that are important to everyday life.
- We have put together a list of services that your guest may need to use.
- The government have issued a welcome pack which includes specific information for those arriving on the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
- The Homes for Ukraine website is regularly updated with useful information.
- Read the guide for new refugees on GOV.UK.
- The Red Cross has advice on coping with the Ukraine crisis, including support for those suffering with trauma.
- You may want to watch some of the videos on a YouTube channel called English with Ukrainians, where Ukrainian translators have translated lessons and discussed language and cultural differences. There are also activities that are suitable for you to do with your Ukrainian guests.