Homes for Ukraine: Guidance for councils (children and minors applying without parents or legal guardians)
Summary
This guidance updates councils on handling Homes for Ukraine applications for children and minors who are not travelling with a parent or legal guardian. It emphasises safeguarding responsibilities, notes that unaccompanied minor functionality is unavailable on the Homes for Ukraine Share digital system from September 2025, and directs councils to process such cases outside Share with MHCLG involvement.
Why it matters
Residential property surveyors may encounter Homes for Ukraine placements where safeguarding, occupancy, and host suitability issues intersect with housing assessments. The guidance signals a need for awareness of council-led processes and related statutory safeguarding duties when working around vulnerable occupants.
Key points
- Councils remain responsible for safeguarding children under the scheme.
- Unaccompanied minor applications will be handled outside the Share digital system from September 2025.
- Councils should follow existing statutory guidance, including Working together to safeguard children.
- Private fostering guidance applies in England where relevant.
- The guidance applies across the UK, with additional country-specific arrangements.
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