**Ukrainian refugees and host families - information update**
I'm answering very many questions from local families hosting Ukrainian refugees, so I hope it is helpful to share some of the updated information I've discovered in the last few days:
(Do please share this post, but please note it is information from Hampshire County Council, not Southampton City Council)
- Free Bus passes for refugees
Free bus pass travel within the wider Hampshire area will be available for Ukrainian refugees arriving in the county as part of the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme over the summer, following an announcement by Hampshire County Council at today’s Annual General Meeting.
The Local Authority is in the process of finalising arrangements with the county’s three major bus operators - Stagecoach, First Bus and Bluestar – with the scheme due to launch shortly.
Full details of the scheme will be announced in the coming days, with information shared with sponsors and guests in due course.
- Free school meals for Ukrainian children
Government guidance states that additional funding will be provided to councils for education services for Ukrainian children arriving via the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Further guidance on when councils will receive this funding is expected soon.
As an interim measure, HCC has asked schools to step in and provide immediate assistance to Ukrainian families, including providing free school meals. Schools have been asked to collate any expenditure so that we can reimburse it out of the funding that Government will provide for education services. Many schools assist families with filling in the form for free school meals. We suggest that Ms Kent contact the young person’s school for advice with the form.
- The £350 payment to sponsors
HCC will start writing to sponsors from this week requesting further information required to process the £350 payments to sponsors.
Following publication of guidance on 29th April from the UK Government on administering payments to sponsors, it is intended that the £350 payments will commence from the end of May, subject to the required payment infrastructure being fully operational by that date. Payments will be made monthly, in arrears, and will commence once all relevant home visit checks have been completed and guests are in situ. Sponsors will be required to inform the County Council when sponsorship arrangements have ceased or if circumstances change.
