Homes for Ukraine in Torfaen
Firstly, if you are considering offering your home to Ukrainian refugees through the Welsh Government Homes for Ukraine Scheme – thank you.
We want to support local residents wishing to volunteer to be sponsors – from holding information evenings for interested sponsors to supporting you when your guests arrive.
We have more than 60 sponsors in Torfaen, including Helen Jenkins, from Cwmbran.
Here is some of the help you can expect to receive.
Government guidelines
Your local authority is responsible for:
- Registering children with local schools
- Providing advice on family support services, such as help with childcare costs English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes
- Working with local health boards to signpost advice and referral pathways to specialist public health services as appropriate, for example for vaccinations or TB screening
- Advice on further support services such as initial stabilisation, counselling and mental health support, adult social care, and children’s services should be provided as needed
- Arranging local Jobcentre Plus appointments for benefit assessments, including for emergency payments while any benefits are being arranged
DBS checks
All sponsors and all household members aged 16 years and above will require a new DBS check.
The local authority will determine which DBS check(s) (enhanced or basic) will be required in line with government guidance.
Sponsors will not be charged for these checks. Local authority will be available to support you with your DBS checks and will be on hand to discuss any concerns or queries you may have.
Home visits
The Welsh Government requires home visits to be done to check your accommodation is suitable. The Council’s Environmental Health and Social Services will carry out an initial home visit at a time that is convenient to you. If you are not an owner occupier i.e. you rent your home, please let the officer know when they contact you.
Payment
The council will provide an initial £200 per person cash payment to new arrivals, as well as a £350 monthly “thank you” payment to you as a host. The monthly amount is limited to £350 per residential address, irrespective of the number of people being hosted.
Additionally, as a thank you Torfaen Council will provide you with a £500 gift card to purchase the essential items for new arrivals, as well as a laptop to provide digital connectivity to your guests.
Additional support
If for any reason you need to end the sponsorship arrangement early, sponsors should inform us as soon as possible.
If your housing situation is urgent, you will be referred to our Housing Solutions Service.
A national helpline for sponsors and refugees is available 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week. The freephone number is 0808 175 1508.
If your housing situation is urgent, you will be referred to our Housing Solutions Service.
Health Information
Last Modified: 03/10/2022
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