Thread by @stand_for_all

It's absolutely brilliant that there has been such a huge response from the British public to accommodate refugees, and it is truly disturbing that we are in a place where 44,000 could feasibly to do so without even being DBS checked. #r4today. 1/

Over a number of years the previous "community sponsorship scheme" took about 600 people, so you can't even use that as a basis to argue what will or won't happen with the government #HomesForUkraine scheme. What you can do is look at the evidence and worry about safeguarding. 2/

"Light touch" National approach in the immediacy means people are being properly vetted before they take Ukrainian citizens into their homes. By only later on down the line having more detailed local authority checks you all but guarantee people slipping through the cracks. 3/

Considering we are predominantly talking about women and children fleeing Ukraine the safeguarding needs increase dramatically, yet the government in its haste to make up lost time had dramatically decreased protections for them. 4/

We have already seen with the cack handed way in which the Afghan scheme was handled, or not more accurately, children disappearing from the hotels they were placed in and trafficked because they were placed outside of protection frameworks. 5/

The #HomesForUkraine scheme increases this risk by a number of magnitudes. It sidelines important local authority mechanisms and it puts vulnerable people not just in danger of not having their needs met, but also of being exploited and even trafficked. 6/ #r4today

The reality of this scheme, as announced by @michaelgove yesterday, is that, despite all the best intentions of the majority of people applying, it is something which a trafficker could only have previously dreamed of happening. The risks are substantial. 7/

What was needed from start is rapid investment into local authority systems, immediate provision of right to work for all refugees and genuine safeguarding and protection measures. All of which would actually be faster as you can then waive visas and still guarantee support. 8/

And here is an excellent piece by @maybulman highlighting some of the concerns regarding the scheme and why it could present a danger to vulnerable women and children. 9/
independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-n…

Okay, muting this now because my mentions are a mess. If you are looking to find out more about the risks that not implementing proper safeguards present, particularly in relation to child trafficking, then I recommend following and supporting organisations such as @Love146UK 10/

Something to add, based on concerns people have raised. The issues with the #HomesForUkraine scheme are mainly about safeguarding. Traffickers will exploit it, but they already know they can. These concerns should not be seen as a reason for people not to provide assistance. 11/

Hosts do need support. It would be irresponsible to think that anyone could accommodate someone with potentially highly complex needs and trauma without support, but if they are genuinely capable of providing accommodation it is definitely needed. 12/