English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and other skills support: Homes for Ukraine
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-03)

Guidance for providing ESOL and training for other skills.

Low English language skills are the main barrier to employment and integration. The Ukrainian cohort predominantly want to work and are highly educated.

Having these guests move into work is part of their integration into society. It is an important aspect of supporting them into self-reliance and independent accommodation.

We know councils are working closely with local Further Education providers so new arrivals are signposted to and can access ESOL and other adult education.

Funding of education services

People from Ukraine aged 19 and up, and their family members settled in the UK under the Ukraine Family Scheme and the Homes for Ukraine scheme, can access training to gain the skills they need to move on with their lives.

This includes provision funded through the adult education budget (including ESOL) and Level 3 - free courses for job offer and skills bootcamps.

As the tariff is un-ringfenced, it can also be used to fund education and skills support including ESOL provision.

Other ways of providing training

Councils are strongly encouraged to procure non-traditional, innovative alternatives to existing provision. This might include online tutor led delivery models, commercial providers, courses run to more intensive timeframes, and courses which run at different times of day to suit different people.

Councils should consider investing in wraparound and innovative solutions rather than rely on traditional delivery. Investing in ESOL provisions will boost people’s self-sufficiency, which in turn will allow councils to focus on other priorities in the long term.

Councils should also be mindful of additional challenges to Ukrainians where public transport is more limited, and where childcare forms a barrier to attendance at colleges.

Further resources for parents

Councils can direct parents to the guest guidance which contains advice on childcare and education up to 16 years old, and education for people from 16 years old to adults.

Guests can read more information about education for children up to 16 years old (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/childcare-and-education-up-to-16-years-old-homes-for-ukraine) and education for anyone older than 16 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/education-for-people-from-16-years-old-to-adults-homes-for-ukraine).

The Department for Education (DfE) have published resources to help support children and young people arriving from Ukraine (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/helping-ukrainian-students-in-schools/resources-to-help-support-children-and-young-people-arriving-from-ukraine) to integrate.

For children who are not travelling to the UK with or to join a parent or legal guardian, there is a different welcome guide (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/homes-for-ukraine-welcome-guide-for-ukrainian-children-under-18) that contains the same advice, in the section about School and Education (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/homes-for-ukraine-welcome-guide-for-ukrainian-children-under-18#school-and-education).

English language and employment support programme - STEP programme

Understanding English Language will help you when adapting to life in the UK.

The UK government is funding the STEP programme which is a completely free, 12 or 24 weeks virtual English language and employment support programme for Ukrainians and Hong Kong British National (overseas) (HK BN(O)) visa holders in England. Thousands of Ukrainians and HK BN(O)s have already benefited from previous programmes such as STEP Ukraine and the Hong Kong Welcome Programme, achieving improved job prospects and English language skills whilst here in the UK.

Support will be adapted to individual needs, with flexibility around childcare, caring responsibilities, and work schedules. The aim is to improve English proficiency, build confidence, and support access to more stable or better-suited employment.

Who is eligible for STEP

Ukrainians from all backgrounds and HK BN(O)s who are over the age of 18.

Those living in the England under the 4 humanitarian Ukraine schemes, including the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme launched in February 2025, as well as the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (HK BN(O)) visa scheme.

What does STEP involve

The programme offers two levels of provision:
- Intensive: English classes 5 days per week for 10 weeks, plus up to 12 hours of 1-to-1 employability support over 12 weeks
- Less intensive: English classes 3 days per week for 24 weeks, also including up to 12 hours of tailored employability support
All classes are remote, and teacher led. They are streamed so you will be with classmates at a similar level.

STEP is delivered by World Jewish Relief and the British Council.

How to join STEP

For more information, or to apply, contact the provider World Jewish Relief (https://www.worldjewishrelief.org/step/). There, you can access and complete the online application form. Once submitted, you will receive an email confirmation of receipt.

If you have any questions about your application or eligibility, contact World Jewish Relief using the details below:

World Jewish Relief54 Crewys RoadLondonNW2 2AD

Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx