What is the duty to refer

From 1 October 2018 the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 introduced a duty on specified public authorities to identify and refer service users who they think may be homeless or threatened with homelessness to local authority homelessness/housing options teams.

The specified public authorities subject to the duty to refer are:

• prisons
• young offender institutions
• secure training centres
• secure colleges
• youth offending teams
• probation services (including community rehabilitation companies)
• secretary of state for defence in relation to members of the regular armed forces
• jobcentre plus
• social service authorities
• emergency departments
• urgent treatment centres
• hospitals in their function of providing inpatient care

Please note if you work for a public authority which is not subject to the duty you can still make a referral

To make a referral

Please use Public Bodies Homelessness Referral Form

The form is based on the minimum information required by law for a public authority to make a legitimate referral; this is individuals names, contact details and agreed reason for referral.

GOV.UK information about the duty to refer 

The GOV.UK website contains detailed information and guidance:

• Homelessness: Duty to Refer
• A guide to the Duty to Refer and frequently asked questions