Duty to refer

As part of the Homelessness Reduction Act, the following specified public bodies have a duty to refer consenting people who they believe to be homeless or threatened with homelessness:

• prisons
• young offender institutions
• secure training centres
• secure colleges
• youth offending teams
• probation services (including community rehabilitation companies)
• Jobcentres in England
• social service authorities (both adult and children’s)
• emergency departments
• urgent treatment centres
• hospitals in their function of providing inpatient care
• Secretary of State for defence in relation to members of the regular armed forces

All other public bodies are encouraged to refer cases where possible.

It is important that these organisations make these referrals so that we can prevent and relieve homelessness effectively.

To make a referral through the duty to refer process, please complete the Duty to refer form on Wolverhampton Homes’ website.