From Roger Gough KCC
A great deal has happened since my update to you on 18 March as we prepare to support those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Our fast-paced response and work with our partners in the Kent Resilience Forum has continued to ensure that a safe haven is provided here in Kent for those who want and need it.
At this stage we do not know exactly how many Ukrainians will be arriving in Kent or when, although a number have already arrived through the Family Sponsorship Scheme and some important information has started to flow from government.
The latest data from central government suggests that there are currently 1,165 individuals matched with sponsors within 429 properties across Kent through the Homes for Ukraine initiative. This information is beginning to flow well via a live system and is updated every day. Again, it is not clear when people will be arriving through this scheme although there are some suggestions that this could be within the next 10 days. A welcome pack for those arriving is being produced for use across Kent including standard information about access to services and more tailored information for each District.
On Thursday I was in a call with Lord Richard Harrington, Minister for Refugees, and his officials, hosted by the LGA. It was recognised that there was an urgent need for further guidance on a number of key areas. The call covered a number of the areas I cover later in this update and which I will not repeat here. Other topics of conversation were the vaccination status of the arrivals; potential flexibility over school places with the ability to go over numbers being seen as key; and a good deal of unease about the vague and permissive guidance regarding safeguarding. Generally, I got the sense that the Minister acknowledged the issues needed attention and is committed to ensure clear guidance follows.
The various Kent Resilience Forum (KRF) structures that are needed to support with accommodation, safeguarding checks, translation services, access to health services and education have been mobilised. There is much work still to be done to coordinate these work streams across all districts in Kent but progress is good. Multiagency teams will be in place as soon as possible to support the initial checks (property and safeguarding) and will be designed to be scalable as numbers increase. Districts are confirming the community infrastructure they will put in place. It is likely that support workers will be needed as part of this model and we are working with Districts to define the roles and recruit to them.
The Disclosure and Barring Service protocol is being established ready for checks to begin this coming week and further guidance was issued on Thursday to support the checking process. Districts are working on emergency housing contingency options.
KCC is communicating as much information as possible to residents, Ukrainians already living in Kent and those who are coming forward to offer help and support for refugees.
- The KCC Ukraine web page is live on Kent.gov and will be constantly updated, where the latest information and guidance is available. Districts are mirroring the arrangements on their pages.
- Charities and volunteers wishing to offer help can now email a dedicated inbox which is Ukraine@kent.gov.uk
- Contact Point have been briefed
- We are investigating the scope for a dedicated helpline to go live early this week for urgent requests for help or support regarding refugees. This will run along the lines of the Kent Together helpline which supported so many residents during the pandemic.
Many Members are being approached by residents asking for advice. This covers everything from how they can help to where they can find advice and guidance. There have been a small number of complaints about the lack of information available and I have asked Officers to ensure this is not a criticism that can be levelled in future. I hope that Members have all had the opportunity to see the information circulated on Friday and found it helpful. Updates will be sent regularly as the position becomes clearer and the Member pages on KNet will provide the latest information available in the course of this week. The aim is to keep Members informed about the enormous amount of work going on across Kent to support this vital response.
Despite the significant progress being made, there remain some key areas that require further urgent attention. Guidance is flowing from DLUHC but funding guidance has yet to be confirmed. We are working with Districts to ensure pragmatic decisions are taken to enable the money that will be allocated to Kent to be utilised, but there are many questions still to be answered.
The KRF have escalated a number of critical issues to DLUHC including about the number of people on the extended family scheme who have arrived in Kent presenting as homeless. This is putting pressure on the existing system in Districts and is currently not captured under the support and finance scheme.
More government guidance is expected soon in response to concern about the impacts of sponsorship breakdown. There is also concern about mental health support which has been escalated to KMPT (Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust).
I will continue to provide further updates as the measures we are putting in place develop further.