Essential information for Ukrainian refugees and hosts in North Devon

Welcome Pack

The Government has created a Welcome Pack and guide for those guests arriving in the country and additional guides for hosts, this has a large amount of information to help both parties.

There is also national web site for frequently asked questions about the scheme, however please note that information is changing and being updated on regular basis as the situation changes:

Support from North Devon Council

If you do require any further information or advice please email in the first instance to: homesforukrainend@northdevon.gov.uk or call our Customer Services team on 01271 388870

Ласкаво просимо в Північний Девон. Нижче наведена інформація щодо послуг, які ви, як гості, і ваші господарі можуть очікувати від цього району. Якщо ви бажаєте, щоб вам надсилали будь-яку інформацію українською чи російською мовою, або у вас є запитання, будь ласка, зв’яжіться з Радою Північного Девона за адресою: homesforukrainend@northdevon.gov.uk

Host

If you are interested in supporting a family from Ukraine you will first be required to register onto the Government Homes for Ukraine on GOV.UK. Once you have registered there are number of national charities that help with the matching process:

Refugees at Home, a charity connecting refugees and hosts online
Room for Refugees, which has previously settled unaccompanied child refugees with families in the UK

Once a host has registered their details and agreed to host a Ukrainian guest they will be added to a main data base. This data is gathered by Devon County Council (DCC) in the first instance, who will then pass this to the local authority where the host and guest will be based.

Checks

Devon County Council

DCC are responsible for completing the Disclosure and Barring Service checks (DBS). This is carried out on each member of the host family who are over 16 years old.

DBS background checks - GOV.UK

North Devon Council

We at North Devon Council (NDC) are responsible for completing a property check on the host’s property where the guest will be residing. These checks will be to ensure the accommodation meets the basic minimum criteria:

Sponsor home visit checks - Supporting Ukraine (devon.gov.uk)

An officer from NDC will make direct contact with the potential host using the details forwarded by DCC. This officer will then arrange to meet with the host at their property at an agreed convenient time.

If all checks are completed satisfactorily the host will receive a confirmation letter from NDC to confirm this. If the visiting officer feels that additional works need to be completed before the family arrive, the office will advise the host and confirm via email or letter. A further visit will then be arranged once required works have been completed.

Supporting hosts with guests

We are working in conjunction with The Pickwell Foundation in regards to offering wraparound support for both hosts and guests. We will arrange for a referral to Pickwell with both host and guest consent. Pickwell will then make contact directly to discuss the support options available.

The Pickwell Foundation has a very informative website that offers guidance and links to other services available in the North Devon area.

northdevonwithukraine.co.uk

Financial Support

There is a one-off payment of £200 per guest that will administrated by NDC, and paid directly to the Lead Guest. NDC will require the following information to be able to process this payment:

confirmation that the guests have arrived and are with host family – please contact us via the email address
the guest will be required to have an British mobile number or an email address
we will set up a payment code to be delivered by the agreed method, this code will then need to be taken to a post office who will pay over the Welcome Payment in cash to the guest

Hosts will also be entitled to a ‘Thank You' Payment of £500 per month, this is optional and we realise that not everyone will want to claim this. The host's ‘Thank You’ payment will be made monthly directly to the hosts bank account. It will be paid on or around the same date each month for the length of the scheme or until the guests leave, whichever is sooner.

The host will be required to sign an agreement with us in regards to this payment, which will be sent once the checks have been completed.

Benefit entitlements

Guests are encouraged to make an application to the Department of Works and Pension (DWP) on arrival. We appreciate that some guests arriving in this area will want to find employment and may not want to make a claim, however to assist financially during this period or if guests are unable to work please follow guidance at Understanding Universal Credit - support for Ukrainian refugees.

National Insurance Numbers

If the customer presents for support at the Job Centre and doesn’t have a National Insurance Number (NINO) then DWP front of house support staff will be able to apply for the customer as part of their claim to Universal Credit.

Apply for a national insurance number

Employment Rights

DWP has gathered information for those looking to secure employment in our area and the employment rights of the guests.

The Government has developed a website with the relevant information for both employees and employers.

Offer work to people who have come to the UK from Ukraine - GOV.UK