Agenda item

To be presented by Claire Hawkes, Service Director, Buckinghamshire Council.

Claire Hawkes, Service Director, BC, provided a presentation, appended to the minutes, and explained that she was part of the Ukraine Response Team which involved volunteers and staff secondees who supported the Homes for Ukraine scheme.  The following was a summary and more detail was available on the slides. 

Claire highlighted that BC was also supporting Afghanistan refugees and was mindful that there were some Ukrainian families on the Family Scheme Visas. The South West Chilterns area had the highest number of sponsors (60) and a map showed the areas with the highest number of Ukrainian children (High Wycombe).   A Local Strategic Partnership Board had been formed early in the response to collaborate with a number of organisations such as the NHS, Thames Valley Police, Business and the voluntary sector.  Several teams across the Council e.g., housing, education and Adult Learning were involved in the ‘whole Council’ approach.  Approximately 150 staff had volunteered to be a Sponsor Liaison Officer and had been paired with a sponsor for one to one contact.

It was now month four and Bucks communities had shown fantastic support and community spirit. Particular thanks went to community groups such as Marlow Ukraine Collective and others offering support networks or drop ins for guests to socialise.   Overall feedback had been positive, but BC was aware that some guests were experiencing challenges, which it recognised many Bucks residents faced e.g., transport, the benefit system and available housing.  These were all being fed back to government task and finish groups weekly.  A Temporary Sponsorship Scheme was in place for swift emergency ‘re-matching’ and could appeal to people – anyone interested should contact ukrainesupport@buckinghamshire.gov.uk.

Claire stressed the need to put plans in place for the ‘post 6 months’ period and the importance of continuity being available where possible as children had settled in schools or communities.  This would mean all tiers of government and the community working together to look at sustainable solutions. The project team had been extended to one year and two housing officers were being recruited as rental housing prices were high and creative solutions were required. 

Nigel Dicker, Service Director for Housing, emphasised that there were 5,000 + on the housing list; it was about homelessness prevention and BC would support and respond as best they could but more help was needed from the Government.   

Jacqueline Wilson, Principal, Adult Learning, provided information on the amount of English tuition which had been provided to the Ukrainian people.  New venues had been set up in Lacey Green, Amersham and Beaconsfield and extra teaching staff would be recruited; classes would be offered in Marlow.

Debbie Munday, Admissions and Transport Manager, explained that the British and Ukrainian education schemes did not match and children were being put in slightly different year groups but children were grouped together where possible.   The Fair Access Protocol enabled schools to go above their planned admission number; the Buckinghamshire School system had stepped up but had to treat the Ukrainian children the same as all other children, bearing in mind their circumstances. 

Claire thanked everyone for their support.  The following key points were raised in discussion.

• In response to being asked what advice should be given to new arrivals regarding schooling; Debbie advised it was not possible to guarantee a place for the start of term in September but stressed that the team would do the best they could.  It was emphasised that this would also be an issue for any parent moving into the area.  Head teachers could be contacted in an emergency but Debbie would need to ascertain if they were prepared to be contacted during the summer holidays.

Action:  D Munday

• Any Ukrainian families who moved area would need to follow the same process as all other children to obtain a school place.
• Further work would be undertaken in collaboration with community groups to understand key needs going forwards, housing concerns and progress escalations.                                                                                        Action: C Hawkes

The Chairman thanked Claire, Nigel, Jackie and Debbie for attending.