We use cookies to collect anonymous data to help us improve your site browsing experience.

Click 'Accept all cookies' to agree to all cookies that collect anonymous data. To only allow the cookies that make the site work, click 'Use essential cookies only.' Visit 'Set cookie preferences' to control specific cookies.

Set cookie preferences

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Publication - Advice and guidance

People arriving from Ukraine - risk and need: public protection guidance

Last updated
23 January 2026 - see all updates
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, International, Ukraine

Guidance for all practitioners involved in safeguarding of children and adults who are arriving in Scotland from Ukraine to identify and respond to risk and need.

Supporting documents

Welcome Hubs

The Welcome Hub in Edinburgh provides advice and initial triage of requirements to those arriving. This includes physical and mental health, future housing needs, communication with family members and relevant identification and assessment of need.

Guests may be provided temporary welcome accommodation prior to matching and travel to longer term accommodation.

From 23 January 2026, if you arrive in Scotland between 5pm and 9am Monday to Thursday, or from 4pm on Fridays until 9am on Mondays, it is unlikely that overnight accommodation will be available.

Additionally, if you are travelling with a pet, it is very unlikely that you will be accommodated overnight. You must ensure you have booked accommodation before travelling, or plan your journey so that you arrive between 9am and 5pm Monday to Thursday or 9am and 4pm on Fridays as this is when the Welcome Hub is open. For more information about Welcome Hub opening hours and out-of-hours support, please visit the City of Edinburgh Council website.

It is essential that as part of any welcome arrangement, people arriving from Ukraine are provided with information on:

  • what checks have been carried out on their host
  • how to keep themselves and their families safe
  • what their rights and entitlements are here in Scotland
  • what to do if their living arrangement breaks down
  • where to go for support and advice

Further information on eligibility for welcome accommodation, and guidance for individuals arriving in Scotland, is available as part of Scotland for Ukrainians: a guide for displaced people.

Contact

Email: UkraineSafeguarding@gov.scot

First published
13 April 2022
Last updated
23 January 2026 - show all updates

  1. Guide reviewed and various text updates made throughout, including update to Welcome Hub section.

  2. Updated welfare checklist form and information relating to enhanced disclosure checks which are now called Level 2 with barred list checks.

  3. Guide reviewed and various text updates made throughout. Welfare checklist updated.

  4. Updated to reflect changes to UK legislation from 1 October 2024 relating to definitions of sponsor/hosts and unaccompanied minors thank you payments.

  5. Minor amend to remove incorrect link from child welfare page.

  6. Guide reviewed and various text updates made throughout.

  7. Updated to reflect UK Government visa changes.

  8. Added note to explain guide is being reviewed to reflect Home Office visa announcement.

  9. Updated advice to reflect current policy.

  10. Guide reviewed and updated to reflect current policy.

  11. Updated Unaccompanied children and young people.

  12. Updated the unaccompanied children section to cover all aspects, not just Homes for Ukraine.

  13. Added a chapter on processing accompanied children under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Applies to applications already made to the scheme.

  14. Updated Arrival pathways with info about pause in Super Sponsors Scheme

Back to top