Update on Ukrainian refugees being welcomed to Wandsworth

People fleeing war-torn Ukraine can expect a warm welcome in Wandsworth, with dozens of residents offering to open up their homes to take in refugees.

The latest figures show that a total of 91 visas have been awarded by the Home Office for refugees finding sanctuary in Wandsworth, which is the 29th highest number for any local authority in the country.

To ensure the accommodation being offered to Ukrainian families is of a safe and decent standard, the council has been carrying out inspections and as of April 8, 61 offers of accommodation have been approved with an additional 82 underway.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks need to be completed on people offering their homes. So far 267 applications have been initiated by Wandsworth residents, with 63 certificates issued by the Government.

Where there is someone aged 17 or under in the arrivals group, welcome visits are being completed by the Early Help team in Wandsworth's children's services department. If there is not a child in the arriving group, visits are being completed by the social prescribing team within the council's leisure and culture contractor Enable.

Council officers are actively monitoring admissions to schools, ensuring any Ukrainian child or young person has the opportunity to enrol in a school local to their new home in Wandsworth.

Wandsworth Council's chief executive Mark Maidment said: "People in the borough have come forward in significant numbers to offer homes to refugees from Ukraine. Their generosity and compassion is recognised by all in our community.

"Our role as a local authority is to support these households and to make sure that the necessary arrangements are in place to ensure refugees are properly cared for and have all the help and assistance they need."