Things to consider about your accommodation - Homes for Ukraine

If you are part of the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, or considering becoming part of it, then below is a list of issues for you to consider when preparing to host your guest(s). These are just suggestions of some of the kind of things you need to think about. Not all of these will apply to your situation and not all of them are part of the required household accommodation checks we are carrying out.

Your home

• How many people will you have as guests – are there any spaces out of bounds?
• What will the cooking and relaxing facilities be like – are these private or shared?
• Is there adequate bedroom space and privacy respected, for example, locks on the bathroom door?

Your household

• Who is in the household and who are frequent visitors? (household members will need enhanced DBS checks and consideration will be given to frequent visitors)
• Children – how old are they and are there any additional needs that need to be considered? Have you spoken to them about how you will keep them safe?
• Any additional needs to be aware of generally?
• Any specific issues to be aware of, for example, mental health, conflict, drug and alcohol issues.
• Who are you expecting – you must inform us if you are expecting any unaccompanied young people.

Pets

• Do you have pets or are you happy to take people with pets?
• If you have a dog, has the dog questionnaire been completed? (a questionnaire about your dog/s will need to be completed)
• Is your pet confined or restricted to certain parts of the property?
• Are litter trays, feeding bowls and sleeping arrangements for pets hygienic?
• Are pets regularly treated for worms and fleas?

Expectations

• Living together agreements – what thoughts have been given to this and what challenges might come up that can be thought about ahead?
• Do childcare and chores need to be clearly defined? (not a good plan to share childcare).
• Privacy and keeping yourself and others safe – including what to do if you are worried.

Your community

• What is your local setting? For example, rural, village, town or city location.
• What local facilities are there? For example, shops, doctors, parks.
• What access is there to public transport? How will children get to school?
• Are there churches nearby?
• Any local hot spots/risks to be alert to? For example, rivers.
• Personal safety in the community.

Anticipated needs/challenges and support

• Experiences of trauma
• Do you have personal networks to call upon?
• What if something goes wrong or if something gets damaged?

General safety arrangements

• Are beds/cots/mattresses suitable and maintained in a hygienic state?
• Is the accommodation free from clutter?
• For rented properties, is the owner aware that you are hosting?
• Do you hold current home building and contents insurance?
• Have you informed your household insurance company that you are hosting?
• Is there a first aid kit in the home?

Indoor safety

• Are fireguards fitted where appropriate?
• Are there restrictors on all windows above ground level?
• Are blind chords secured away from children’s beds/cots?
• Are stair gates competently and securely fitted at the bottom of stairs when needed?

Fire risks

• Smoking – a clear preference will be that no one in your household smokes. If they do, is there a smoking management plan in place to prevent harm to young people where applicable?
• Are matches and lighters kept out of the range of young children?

Kitchen risks

• Are chip pans used?
• Are knives kept out of the reach of young children?
• Are household chemicals kept out of reach of children and young people?
• Are chest freezers inaccessible to young children?
• Are kettle cables suitably adjusted and kept away from surface edges?

Bathroom risks

• Is the risk of scalding to children appropriately controlled?
• Are medicines and razors kept out of the reach of young children?
• Is there a lock on the bathroom door?

Outside risks

• Are ponds and water features appropriately controlled?
• Are hazardous garden chemicals kept out of reach of children?
• Is hazardous gardening equipment kept out of the reach of young children?
• Are ladders or other access equipment secured?
• Is garden play equipment appropriate in its design and is it maintained in a safe condition?
• Is the garden area secure?

Firearms

• If there are firearms in the home, is the appropriate licence held?
• If there are firearms in the home, are they suitably secured?