More than 500 Ukrainian children who have fled the fighting without their parents are stuck in Europe after applying to the Homes for Ukraine scheme, according to a Guardian article.
British families are waiting to welcome them, but the Home Office now says that they cannot enter the UK without their parents or a legal guardian. Even teenagers who are travelling with adults appointed as legal guardians by their parents are caught in the impasse.
Beth Gardiner –Smith, the chief executive of the charity Safe Passage, commented that the Government’s policy was “leaving lone children in dangerous and vulnerable positions, at risk of exploitation”. She said that the Government should work with local authorities and charities to ensure safeguarding.