Ukraine - A Warm Scots Future: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment

Declaration

Is a Stage 2 Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment required? (Tick relevant requirement) (Guidance Section 2.1)

CRWIA required

No explanation required, please complete questions 5 and 6

Explanation why CRWIA is not required:

N/A

Policy Lead Signature & Date of Sign Off:

Dominique Taylor, 27^th March 2024

CRWIA author, if different from policy lead, Signature & Date of Sign Off:

Dominique Taylor, 27^th March 2024

Deputy Director Signature & Date of Sign Off:

Will Tyler-Greig, 9^th April 2024

Date SGLD contacted:

20^th March 2024

Preparation Phase if undertaking a CRWIA (Guidance Section 2.1)

If CRWIA is required, please engage in the preparation phase as early as possible. This phase consists of a research and consultation plan.

Evidence: Please list any research you are currently aware of that is relevant to this relevant proposal?

The latest demographic statistics for Scotland, as published by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities up to 30 September 2023, show that 23% of all arrivals in the UK with a Scottish Sponsor (Scottish Government and Individual) were under 18 years old. Of these, 53% were male and 47% were female.

Scottish Government has published data on the numbers of Ukrainian Displaced Children enrolled in Scottish schools. Following a Scottish Government survey of local authorities, data indicates that as at 26 January 2024, 2,839 Ukrainian children were enrolled in primary and secondary schools across Scotland. Of these, 1,526 were enrolled in primary schools and 1,313 were enrolled in secondary schools. The highest overall numbers have enrolled in schools (both primary and secondary combined) located in City of Edinburgh (354), Aberdeen City (322), and Glasgow City (285).

As per the latest findings reported in the ONS UK Humanitarian outcomes survey, conducted over the period between 27 April – 15 May 2023, 36% of visa holders entering the UK under the Ukraine Humanitarian Schemes live with dependent children. A previous ONS survey (conducted between 27 February to 13 March) reported that, of those living with dependent children, 49% reported that their current childcare responsibilities limit their ability to take up work in the UK. Of those whose childcare responsibilities limit their ability to take up work, 78% stated that this is because they can only work part-time.

Findings from qualitative interviews with people displaced from Ukraine in Scotland aligned with ONS findings. Some interviewees with dependent children also reported that childcare responsibilities, or a mix of childcare responsibilities and part time work, made it challenging to attend ESOL classes which in turn was limiting their employment options.

Stakeholder engagement: Please describe your initial plans for stakeholder engagement, including which organisations you would like to engage directly with.

The CRWIA is informed by the stakeholder engagement undertaken throughout the drafting of the paper. This has involved both internal and external stakeholders.

Internal stakeholders include colleagues across the Ukrainian Resettlement Directorate, colleagues across Safeguarding, Housing, Homelessness, New Scots, Refugee and Asylum Integration and Migration. Analytical colleagues from the Performance, Delivery and Resilience Directorate as well as colleagues handling user research in the Digital Directorate have also provided input.

External stakeholders includes Scottish Local Authorities, third sector organisations and charities including the Scottish Refugee Council (SRC), the Ukrainian Consul in Edinburgh, and the Ukraine Stakeholder Reference Group which is co-Chaired by Scottish Ministers, COSLA and SRC. These stakeholders possess lived experience representation of displaced people from Ukraine. The paper has also been presented to the Scottish Government Safeguarding group which includes external stakeholders consisting of numerous local authorities, COSLA, SRC, Police Scotland, the Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland, Disclosure Scotland, Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland, Social Work Scotland and representatives from the Scottish Government’s Safeguarding, Child Protection and Adult Support and Protection units. These stakeholders collectively offer a significant insight into the experiences of displaced people from Ukraine.

The paper has also been developed with consideration of the evidence provided by the Ukrainian Consul at a number of Parliamentary Committee meetings. This has provided lived-experience insight into the issues faced by those displaced from Ukraine in Scotland. The Consul raised examples of displaced people being unable to access nurseries and schools within their communities, issues with accessing healthcare, lack of access to ESOL, housing issues and employability barriers.

These stakeholders offer a significant insight into the experiences of displaced people from Ukraine, including children and young people. Specific feedback has been provided by Barnardos and the British Red Cross to highlight the specific experiences of children and young people.

Involvement of children and young people: Please describe your initial plans for involving children and young people in the development of this relevant proposal, including any specific groups of children you would like to engage directly with.

In the interest of proportionality we do not propose direct engagement with children and young people. The stakeholders listed above will assist in providing sufficient insight into the experiences of displaced Ukrainian children and young people in Scotland who may be impacted. Our engagement involved organisations such as the British Red Cross, Barnardos and Social Work Scotland who advocate specifically for the needs of children and young adults. Our internal engagement also included the Scottish Government’s Safeguarding and Child Protection unit.