Duty to refer
The Homelessness Reduction Act puts a duty on public authorities and agencies to notify us if they are working with someone who is facing homelessness (likely to become homeless within 56 days), or who is already homeless. This is called the duty to refer.
The duty applies to a range of public authorities and agencies including:
• prisons (public and private)
• probation services (including community rehabilitation companies)
• youth offender institutions
• youth offending teams
• secure training centres
• social service authorities (Adult’s and Children’s Social Care)
• hospitals (inpatients)
• A&E services and Urgent treatment centres (Walk in Centres)
• Jobcentre Plus
• The Secretary of State for Defence (members of Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army and Royal Air force).
Making a referral
(Only for professionals in previous listed agencies)
Before making a referral you must:
• have consent to the referral from the individual
• have consent from the individual that their contact details can be supplied so the housing authority can contact them regarding the referral.
• allow the individual to identify which housing authority in England they would like the notification to be made to.
Download the Duty to refer form and email completed form to dutytorefer@derby.gov.uk