Currently under 18s travelling alone are not permitted to be hosted under Homes for Ukraine scheme. The current scheme is leaving many teenage children no route to safety in the UK. The government has a moral obligation to help this vulnerable group.

Sophia applied for the scheme 6 weeks ago on 30th March when the scheme still permitted children under 18s to travel alone and she was told things would be straightforward. However the rules changed during this time and she can no longer be permitted and her application has been left on hold with no indication on when it might be reviewed.

British sponsor families are frustrated that despite going through enhanced DBS checks and accommodation checks they cannot help their sponsors reach safety. These checks are of course imperative to ensure the children's safety and the vetting procedures need to be considered and reviewed to allow the scheme to be opened up to under 18s as a matter of emergency.