Information and Links from UK Government

Homes for Ukraine Scheme register Interest

Fill this form in to register that you want to provide a home for a Ukrainian Family for at least 6 months

How Ukrainians can apply for UK Homes for Ukraine Scheme

A factsheet that explains how Ukrainians can apply to the Homes for Ukraine scheme, with translations in Ukrainian and Russian. It includes advice on eligibility for the scheme, how to apply, and preparing to travel. You can read by clicking this link

A Ukrainian welcome guide for the first few days in the UK

A welcome guide for Ukrainians arriving in the UK, with Ukrainian and Russian translations. It includes information about what your guests need to know in the first few days and about getting used to life in the UK, including how to access essential public services.

Guidance for Sponsors

A guide for sponsors and their roles and eligibility.


Frequently asked questions for Sponsors roles

You can find answers to frequently asked questions on our guidance page (also in Ukrainian and Russian) which is regularly updated: please keep an eye on it, particularly as your role as a sponsor progresses

Contact your Local MPs for VISA Queries etc

Macclesfield Area
email David Rutley
david.rutley.2nd@parliament.uk

Congleton Area
email Fiona Bruce
Fiona.Bruce.MP@parliament.uk

Chasing a VISA application via your MP
Once you or your potential Ukrainian guests apply for a visa you fall into a ‘black hole’ with little or no communication. If you hear nothing for at least a week then you can apply some pressure on the local MPs who can chase the current progress of the application.

You need to provide a specific amount of information:

Hosts
- your name(s) and address - they needs to check you are constituents

Each visa applicant

Full names
DOB
Application reference - they start GWF plus 9 digits
Date of application
Passport numbers

Support from
Cheshire East Council

Contact Details

REFUGEE SUPPORT refugeeinfo@cheshireeast.gov.uk OR
homesupport@cheshireeast.gov.uk or call 03001235034

Useful Documents

Cheshire East Process after Visa application and Matching

Cheshire East Council and partners are here to support you and your Ukrainian guests as they start to arrive and settle into life in the UK.

  • WithIn the next few days, you will receive a phone call from a council officer to welcome you to the scheme and ask a number of further questions that will help us to help you and your Ukrainian guest(s).

    • This will include confirmation of details about you, your household and your guest(s)

    • We will ask for dates of birth of the people in your household

    • We will ask for your banking details, should you wish to receive the monthly ‘thank you’ payment for your participation in the scheme. (Banking details will be collected securely)

    • If there are any children among your guests, we will ask about attending education

    • We will also ask for other information about your guests, including if they are classed as vulnerable

    • We will explain the process for DBS checks and home visits

    • We will provide you with a face to face appointment for those who require Enhanced (DBS) checks Disclosure and Barring Service.

  • We will arrange a visit to check that your property meets safety requirements and is suitable for your guests. This includes sleeping arrangements, cooking and bathroom facilities.

  • We will also be providing an information pack for your Ukrainian guests as soon as we can after they arrive.

What you can do to help us help you:

  • Prepare for DBS checks for yourself and any other adults (above the age of 16 that live in your household) and home visit

  • It has been decided that Enhanced DBS checks are going to be the Norm

  • Check details of your guests (age, vaccination status, disability, education requirements, English language status etc)

  • Make sure transport arrangements are in place for your guest(s) to reach the accommodation. Please note: Ukrainian evacuees are eligible for free onward travel upon entering the UK under the Ukrainian Displaced Persons Travel SchemeThis is a frequently asked question?

Local updates

  • The council is requesting enhanced DBS checks for all sponsors/households. We are no longer asking for basic DBS checks. This is to make the process more efficient.

  • Arrangements are now in place for refugee ‘welcome’ payments to be paid at the Post Office.

  • Council report to approve delegation of powers to CEC chief executive for accepting funding and making decisions – at Annual General Meeting on Wednesday18 May.

  • ‘Welcome’ welfare visits have begun, (this is done once guest has arrived, with sponsor and when all initial safeguarding and safety checks have been completed – these checks are integral to prevent relationship breakdown and community integration).

Applying for school places

We are providing the attached information to help sponsors help their guests apply for school places for their children.  Please find attached two useful documents:

These documents provide a wealth of practical guidance for sponsors.  This includes advising sponsors that it is the parents/carers of the child who should apply for school places and when:

“An application should be submitted for each child.  This can be completed before the child has arrived in the UK or after they have arrived. We would strongly encourage that an application is only made either after the child has arrived or when arrangements are confirmed (for example, checks completed) so a place is not offered until it is needed.  It must be submitted by the parent or someone who has care of the child.  Although sponsors can support with the application they are not permitted to apply on behalf of the parent.  We understand that sponsors will want to support parents.  We may need to speak to the parent or make verification checks before discussing an application with the sponsor or other person.”

In addition to the attached, please visit School admissions (cheshireeast.gov.uk) for more information about applying for school places.