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TopicInformationwebsitephone numbers
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Local AuthorityAt this stage we do not know if you need to register with your local Council authority. At this stage Councils are waiting for information for Government on what support and how they will do this.

Local authorities may be able to provide many services that are of benefit to refugees such as health visitors, access to language courses, mental health, local groups.

Local authority may already have a dedicated team for working with refugee families.
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BenefitsCurrent thinking is that Refugees will be entitled to Universal Credit. It has not yet been confirmed. If they can the process can be started online on JobCentre. Families may also be entitled to other benefits such as Chidl Benefit, and more details are awaited on what this may and how will operate. Hosts will be entitled to £350 a month for hosting (this value is irrespecive of how many are staying). Details are awaited on how this will work in effect. Apply for benefits will start process to generate a National Insurance Number. Please note that application process may require a visit to a Job Centre and require an appointment.

Benefits will be paid in arrears and UC has a 5 week wait for payment.

Many refugees may not feel comfortable asking for benefits. It is recommended that they apply for these as this will unlock other services that may be of benefit to them.

It is not thought that families will affect Council Tax.

It may be beneficial to discuss families financial situation and whether they require to seek employment quickly. Each families situation will be different. Some families may have savings, some may have lost everything.

Bus/ Train tickets maybe worth exploring as well. It is not yet known if internal UK travel is free for families.		https://www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus
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HealthContact your local Doctors surgery to start the process for getting families registered. It has been confirmed that families will be able to access the NHS within UK. Families may have mental Health needs such as Counselling/ Psychological help. Registering for Dentists and Opticians may also be something that requires to be set up in due course. Not yet known if this will be covered under NHS.

Families may not have Covid vaccinations/ other vaccinations that are done within UK, it may be something that can be arranged via NHS once this access has been arranged?

GO's maybe able to offer a review by a Health Visitor for children under 5.

Check if families have any medical conditions / allergies etc that require consideration/ changes to home etc.		https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukrainians-fleeing-war-granted-free-access-to-nhs-healthcare?fbclid=IwAR1esUbid4Dx0aPzcVBRKcTmZGlW5tQYUciFmAiF9k-jrOP7MlzXYNcRoWw
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Schools/ NurseryThis will probably be done via your local authority. See section on Council. Children may need an EHCP (IEP in scotland)plan for starting school and more information is not currently available on how this may work.

Some Ukrainian schools are still offering lessons online.

Nursery places may need to be arranged for preschool age children.

Free school meals and transport maybe available.

Baby and Toddler groups may be worth investigating.
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Citizens Advice BureauLocal Citizens Advice Bureau may be worth setting up a call with them to see what support they may have available, and what organisations they suggest to link into. More information will be added to this as time progresses.
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Local CharitiesLocal Charities such as Shelter, Disability organisations domestic violence organisations may able to provide assistance, such as clothes, toys, other needs for any families being hosted. Or to provide welfare righst advisers.
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ReligionIt may be worth reachingh out to local churches , etc as families may wish to worship depending on their faith. This may also help family to start building their community.
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EmploymentFamilies may wish to explore getting jobs once they are safe in sponsor families accomodation. This is probably best handled on a case by case basis on the needs of the people involved. Local Authorities may have support in this area such as access2employment. These facilities may be available to help with services such as mock interviews, CV's, job finding etc.
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Ukrainian EmbassyIt may be worth checking Ukrainian Embassy websites/ consulates for information as the situation develops.
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Ukrainian Local AssociationsThere may be local Ukrainian Associations/Clubs near to your area that may be available for social activities, language courses, etc. Check for websites / Facebook groups.
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BanksFamilies may require a UK Bank account. This may be required for receiving any benefits / wwages/ salaries they receive within UK. Revolut are offering an online banking card that allows free conversion and transfer of money into Ukrainian Banks, as famillies may still have relatives in Ukraine who require money.
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National Insurance NumberThis will be required for wages and is also issued as part of the benefits process.https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number
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Mobile Phones/ Laptops/ TabletsUK SIM cards will probably be required. Some carriers are providing discounted/ free minutes/ data.
Smarty are providing a sim with 20gb of data, unlimited calls and texts for £10 and allows unlimited calls to Ukraine.

BT are offering landline calls to Ukraine (needs verifying)

Vodafone giving free calls and data to Ukrainian refugees (needs verifying)

Laptops/ tablets may be vital for helping children access school (remote) / leaarning/ play.		https://smarty.co.uk/
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Drivers LicencesInformation required here on what may be required to allow families to drive in UK.

It may be that families need to arrange for UK licences after being in Uk for more than 3 months.

Also if family is being allowed to drive hosts car they will need added to car insurance.
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Legal AidSome families may have complex Legal issues and may be worth investigating if Legal Aid is possible.

Advice Ukraine may also be a source of information.		https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fadvice-ukraine.co.uk%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0JFjE81S2XIk48VajF4uMf5vO_OUjadm_Wx_4aQvH5bYcOxVfMhXgRl6g&h=AT32vOcoZeGMvbnUTTah35Ydbqbd_4s_HSr7A9eapUtsqnSeR7LzjmPdZFn7X2NuN1ntm8tZjspmlLXufx5mARN0XAGbnODo9tN1Q8M7KRGl8628AXJ_PBXSuqLEgWSJNQ&__tn__=R]-R&c[0]=AT1UdbPUVGb3604XN7jvqKkMIoPhDFKxw7sg_2W7m87chtJrIEnlzP4KJEmwoMzMf0DhlTYkntecc94RCE2mnuWy_tfZH4JL4qdU1jeCPIiJhBv5gXKmp1V2wQu7zW6RGAV57P2hGTfevPpQzbtaLUyc5UcP
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SecurityA conversation may be worth having with families if a lock is required on room that is being allocated to them. This may purely be for reassurance. Remember that family has recently escaped a warzone so may require extra security.
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TravelBus Routes/ Timetables/ Train Times. Stations may be worth getting maps and dowloading apps like TFL or thetrainlineetc to help orientate families. Maps may be handy or apps like Moovit that say what buses are due and has a map.
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HomeGuide for family for how to work all devices in a home such as heating. May need converters for charging their devices.
Agree House rules so families and hosts know what is and isnt acceptable on both sides (ie boundaries), such as music, bedtimes, closed doors, etc. Arrange for access to wifi for users. Agree what all areas of home will be shared/ private.

It may be appropriate to label key items in home with Ukrainian/English to help families orientate (such as instructions for washing machine/ oven).

Home Insurance may require to be advised of additional occupants, although some providers are changing this not to be a requirement for Ukrainian refugees, if in doubt, check (it maybe that its only after family has been with you for a year that this is required).

Ensure clean linen and mattress protectors may be required for children. Handle this in a sensitive manner as remember these kids may be traumatised by war.

Let neighbours know you have a family staying with you to avoid suspicion and confusion.

Hosts may; need more keys cut for families
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FoodFamilies may have different dietary requirements. Think in advance what these may be and work out what may be required here. A visit to local supermarket may alos be required. Agree mealtime and if meals are to eb done together or separately. Families may take a while to get used to UK food, and will still wish to cook their own cuisine.
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Activities/ Society IntegrationKids will require regular routines and activities such as taking to parks,playing, arts crafts, walks etc to allow calm ways of acclimatising and restoring their world to being a safe place. Local clubs, swimming pools, gyms. Arrange for a tour of local area, such as a visit to local supermarket. Maps of local area may be handy to let family see. Reach out to local clubs and associations as this will all help with integration, making friends and make situation less stressful.

Families may need a lot of personal space and peace and quiet initally, remember they have just left a warzone and have a lot of trauma, be led by the family on what they want.

Local charities may be able to provide toys and essential equipment required for small children.

Families may experience cultural shock as may never have been overseas before and there may be may differences between UK and Ukraine, handle this sensitively.
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Important Information
Think of this like the information pack you get in a B&B/ Air B&B that has a List of numbers/ websites/ addresses: such as 999 etc
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Language lessonsIt may be appropriate to arrange language lessons for the family, depending on their level of English skills. For children this may be part of their education. Google translate may be very useful in short term to aid communication between families and hosts. Association of Ukrainians in GB arranging a hub for London based refugees to get suport from Ukrainian speakers. The WEA: Adult Learning Within Reach is a national charity that offers ESOL and will be working with the councils in many areas, online as well as face to face sessions. Make a list of key phrases in Ukrainian/ English.

Alexa live translation may also be an option to explore.

Apps like Duolingo may also be beneficial.		https://www.facebook.com/weaadulteducation/?__cft__[0]=AZXldxnfakv_OE3Ic_ElPhe-hMQoOF7CSW4AqQO9wc4yagJ5Ler77k1yljy9XDGRzfK1naAeYwyODBXExXHP3nncT2zgr4GtTaaZZt_CeraLU0VKcZWrjPJ2iJssb2KQQtI&__tn__=R]-R

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.science%2Fblog%2Fhow-alexas-new-live-translation-for-conversations-works%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR32yCZFNjztVa4pz1vMkuMxCu6TM6Lr_s1zAxSoKIw3UI7SEipF0Pb7gEU&h=AT3k4YZC7oTTv6U5wTqhByrmJo2M8Ja2CuplOHFyDTw2oGG_Gy2hJ2HiN3axfnbML5VAscN4BAXLQegOsvE5hS5B3a58ubZVLS8WVwDvbImyq9fr4toALZxkt5gYeYpHfw&__tn__=R]-R&c[0]=AT1UdbPUVGb3604XN7jvqKkMIoPhDFKxw7sg_2W7m87chtJrIEnlzP4KJEmwoMzMf0DhlTYkntecc94RCE2mnuWy_tfZH4JL4qdU1jeCPIiJhBv5gXKmp1V2wQu7zW6RGAV57P2hGTfevPpQzbtaLUyc5UcP
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Welcome PacksArrange for welcome packs that families may need that include things such as pyjamas, underwear, dressing gown and slippers. wash bag with toiletries.
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Host Support groupFind out if there is a local support group in your area as YOU as a host may need people to talk to for help.
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Refugee CouncilLocal refugee council may provide a lot of practical advice.
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