90 homes offered in Dorset to help refugees from Ukraine
150 enquiries to come to the county have been made from Ukrainian guests
Last updated 4th Apr 2022
Around ninety homes in Dorset have offered to open their doors for Ukraine refugees through the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Dorset Council said that it does not know how many refugees are expected to arrive in Dorset but is aware of enquiries from 150 Ukrainian guests.
“Dorset Together partnership is working together and as quickly as we can with the information we have and the systems put in place by Government – we all need to be patient with the system as it develops and improves,” said a spokesman.
Government guidance says that all those who have offered to host will need to have personal checks to ensure they are suitable and checks will also have to be made on their homes, including being able to produce a gas safety certificate.
Those hosting adults will need a basic disclosure and barring check, which looks at previous convictions, with an enhanced check needed for those hosting children and vulnerable adults. Anyone in the host property over the age of 16 will need to have a check in addition to other adults.
To date over 100 Syrian and Afghan refugees have been resettled in Dorset under the national government schemes.
How to offer your help
General Enquiries about hosting can be made to Dorset Council Customer Services on 01305 221000 or customerservices@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.