11/04/2022 - Permalink

Homes for Ukraine Shropshire – update Monday 11 April 2022

Related topics: Adult social care / Children's services / Community / Health / Housing / Partner organisations / Public protection / Safeguarding

Shropshire Council continues to work through the data of those Shropshire-based hosts who have matched with families and individuals coming from war-torn Ukraine.

Homes for Ukraine graphic

Homes for Ukraine

Shropshire has one of the highest intakes in the West Midlands with currently over a 150 offers of accommodation.

Teams across the council are continuing to work hard to process the information provided by government for the Homes for Ukraine scheme.  We have people working on both the enhanced DBS checks as well as 155 property inspections.

DBS and Property Checks

  • DBS checks will be required for all people in the host household aged 16+.  DBS checks will be prioritised for those hosts on the Goverments Foundry system who will be contacted by email . Please keep an eye on junk folders just in case. This will be followed by further DBS checks on other family members age 16 + who live with the named host.
  • Property checks will consist of the following.  Hosts will be contacted by phone where we will do an initial triage of suitability before booking a face-to-face appointment.
    • be kept clean and in a reasonable state.
    • have adequate kitchen and bathroom space.
    • have access to drinking water.
    • have a working smoke detector on each floor of the property and other fire safety precautions suitable for the building e.g., fire doors or escape routes as appropriate (further information on making a home safe from fire;
    • have a working carbon monoxide detector in any room containing a solid fuel burning appliance (e.g., a coal fire, wood burning stove).
    • have sufficient heating to keep the property at a comfortable temperature.
    • have safe gas appliances, fittings and flues and have undertaken a Gas Safety check within the last year (see more information).
    • have safe and working electrics, which a qualified electrician can help with if you are unsure.
    • be almost entirely free of damp or mould.
    • have doors and windows at entry level that lock properly.
    • be easy and safe to move around in, without excessively steep staircases that may cause harm.

Councillor Simon Jones, Cabinet Member for adult social care and public health said

“I can’t thank our residents enough for the generosity and support they have shown to the people of Ukraine.

“For those who are registered on the scheme and linked with a Ukrainian family their information will be sent to us and we will be in contact.

“We just want to ask those hosts to please be patient while we work through the numbers. Our teams are doing a sterling job with regard to the property inspections, which is no mean feat either as there are 155 properties to suddenly inspect in addition to their day-to-day work.

“If your family does arrive before your checks are undertaken, please email @refugeesshropshire with your details so we can prioritise your checks and inspection.”

The local authority also want to encourage those who have applied through the Ukraine Family scheme to get in touch with them at @refugeesshropshire so they can undertake any necessary checks.

People who have applied through this scheme won’t be on the government Foundry System. This is the official system which matches those who have come through the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme.

New Homes for Ukraine website for Shropshire

The Council has also launched a dedicated website: Homes for Ukraine | Shropshire Council for both host families and refugees, which includes advice and information on all the support available, in English, Ukrainian and Russian, to help Ukrainians resettle in Shropshire.

The website will be updated as and when we receive further guidelines from the Government, and as the local scheme develops.