Support is being put in place for 288 Ukrainian refugees to settle into Perth and Kinross.
Language support has been expanded in local schools and property and disclosure checks are being carried out to ensure hosting arrangements are appropriate.
The update was provided to Perth and Kinross Council ’s scrutiny and performance committee on Wednesday, June 8.
Perth and Kinross Council has been working alongside third-sector organisations, communities and individuals to welcome refugees fleeing Ukraine.
To date 148 Ukrainians have been welcomed into the area.
A further 102 have had their visas approved but are still to receive them. And a further 38 – hoping to come to Perth and Kinross – are still awaiting their visa applications to be approved.
A draft version of the Communities Annual Performance Report 2021/22 stated: “Like many other councils, we are supporting people from Ukraine to settle into accommodation. We are undertaking a range of activities such as property and disclosure checks to ensure that appropriate hosting arrangements are in place for everyone who arrives under the sponsorship schemes.”
Councillors were told “over 20 children have enrolled in our local schools and ESOL [English to Speakers of Other Languages] provision has been expanded to provide additional capacity to meet growing demand”.
PKC is “also progressing data regarding 400 people who have expressed an interest in being a host”.
At Wednesday’s meeting, SNP councillor Eric Drysdale asked what progress had been made with visas and how the whole process was going.
The Perth City Centre councillor added: “The sooner these people can get settled into this area the better – in particular the children to get settled ahead of the new school term in August.”
Depute director (communities) Clare Mailer said: “We’re having families and individuals arriving on a daily basis.
“I’ve just had a conversation this morning with someone who’s expecting a family over the weekend. The process now is working really really well with visas, disclosure checks, accommodation checks going through very very quickly.
“I’d have to say we’ve had really positive feedback from community members in terms of feedback. There’s been a real partnership approach between the council and indeed communities and individuals accepting and hosting families and individuals from Ukraine.
“It very much has been a multi-agency partnership.”
Following the meeting, Cllr Drysdale said: “It’s certainly good to hear the council is doing all it can to help settle these refugees.
“I just hope the people awaiting visa applications being processed are not having to wait unduly long.”
A spokesperson for the UK Government said: “In response to Putin’s barbaric invasion we launched one of the fastest and biggest visa schemes in UK history, with more than 120,000 visas issued so people can rebuild their lives in the UK.
“The changes the Home Office has made to streamline the visa system, including simplifying the forms and boosting staff numbers, are working and we are now processing visas as quickly as they come in – enabling thousands more Ukrainians to come through our uncapped routes.”
Perth and Kinross Council has also put out a plea for foster carers to support young people fleeing conflict and hardship from overseas.
PKC said the provision of care for unaccompanied under-18s would generally be on a temporary basis until their parent or carer arrives in Scotland, or until they move into a private kinship care or fostering arrangement.
Where these options are not available for the child or young person, foster care may be provided for a longer period with appropriate assistance provided to carers.
A PKC spokesperson said: “With ongoing conflicts around the world, including that in Ukraine, councils around Scotland are looking to support vulnerable unaccompanied children and young people who are fleeing extremely challenging circumstances.
“If you would be willing to offer this kind of care and support, in preparation for any future arrivals to Perth and Kinross, please get in touch.
“We would be especially keen to hear from anyone who is a registered social worker, teacher, or health professional, as people in these roles can be assessed for fostering more quickly.
“Please call 01738 477806 or email ecsfpduty@pkc.gov.uk for more information.”
