Kingston Council stands with Ukraine: Guidance for hosts
If you have signed up to host a Ukrainian family through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, or are considering doing so, you can use this page to find useful resources. If you are interested in signing up to the scheme, visit Homes for Ukraine official website to register your interest.
Government guidance for hosts
You can read the government's latest advice for sponsors.
The 'Matching' Process
Under the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme, the matching process is completed by National Government teams. Kingston Council is not involved in this process.
Once you have been ‘matched’ with a Ukrainian individual or group, you will be notified and contacted by the Kingston Council Ukraine Arrivals and Queries team. The Council will arrange the required checks, including DBS check and home visits before (‘accommodation check’ visit) and after the arrival of Ukrainian guests (‘welfare visit’). Translation for the home visit after the arrival of the Ukrainian individual or group will be provided if needed.
If you have been ‘matched’ but have not yet been contacted regarding a home visit or DBS check then please do not worry, as you will be contacted soon. If you have missed a call from the Council then please do not worry, we will try again or forward your details to the correct team.
If for any reason you wish to withdraw your participation in the scheme please log onto your application and withdraw before the guest has permission to travel. The sponsor and applicant will not be able to log in to their application and withdraw after the applicant has been granted permission to fly. If a sponsor or applicant would like to withdraw after arrival, they should contact Kingston Council as soon as possible.
Guidance for supporting your guests
If you are welcoming Ukrainian guests into your home, take a look at the below resources:
- Kingston Council's Welcome Pack (in English and Ukrainian): this includes information on how to register a guest with a GP, school admissions, local support and other information
- Supporting the mental health of displaced Ukrainians
- Helping with displaced Ukrainians' concerns or worries
- Essential phrases for helping Ukrainian refugees
- When a sponsor withdraws from the scheme
All Ukrainians arriving in Kingston under the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme will be invited to an appointment at the Information & Advice Centre, Guildhall 2, High Street, Kingston, KT1 1EU. Here they will access support through our voluntary sector partners and will become familiar with where the council is based.
They will receive support for setting up a bank account, registering with a GP, navigating school admissions and making an application for Universal Credit (financial benefits). Translation will be provided where necessary.
The guests will receive an email or a phone call from the Kingston United for Ukraine Team to arrange a suitable time to meet our caseworkers. Guests should only attend these sessions when an appointment has been made. If you or your guests have any queries contact: ukraine@kingston.gov.uk
For emergencies and urgent queries only call the contact centre on: 0208 8547 5000 and ask for the Ukraine Arrivals & Queries Team.
The Mental Health Support Teams (MHST) are supporting children and young people, their parents and Kingston school communities, with a range of mild to moderate mental, emotional, social and behavioural issues. The MHST teams work in both primary and secondary schools. Parents who have any concerns about their child's well-being and who may wish to access support from the MHST, are encouraged to talk to the Mental Health Lead or another member of school staff in their child's school directly.
Events
You can meet and connect for free with other guests and hosts from Ukraine who are in Kingston every second and fourth Sunday of the month 6.00pm - 8.00pm at The Hub, 38 Surbiton Rd, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2JR.
Visas
Kingston Council does not have any information on visa processing times or the ability to escalate visa processing queries. This is managed by the central government's UK Visas and Immigration service. Ukrainian nationals in the UK can also contact 0808 164 8810 if you need assistance.
We are working on developing further support offers for hosts and Ukrainian guests. We will update this page as these become available. If there is any other information that you think should be included here, please do let us know by emailing: ukraine@kingston.gov.uk