I have name changed for this as details here are identifiable. We are hosting a mum and 6yo from Ukraine under ‘homes for Ukraine’ scheme. The family just arrived. They are deeply traumatised, the mum left her family behind on the Russian-occupied territory and she is worried sick about their well-being. Her husband is in a different part of the country looking after his own parents. He has not been conscripted yet (he has volunteered). The little boy has seen it all, the raids, the bombs, he has moved from place to place for the last few months, haven’t been able to make a proper home and significant people in his life are unable to be close and are in grave danger.
Obviously, we are doing all we can to make their lives comfortable. I am currently looking into schools in our area and the ones close to us are all oversubscribed. The closest is around 2.5 miles away and several bus journeys. Public transport links are not brilliant here. Now, the mum is not driving/biking they are happy to walk everywhere but having long journeys by public transport is a bit triggering for the little boy. In addition my own daughter has loads of friends (we are gradually introducing them to the boy) who all attend various local schools. It will be much easier to settle and make friendships if the boy attends one of those.
i appreciate it is a very touchy subject, especially now, but would these be considered exceptional social circumstances under which the school can still admit them? If not what can you possibly advise here? Thank you!