Duty to refer
Which public authorities have the duty to refer
Under the law, certain public bodies must inform the borough if any of their service users are homeless or at risk of homelessness within 56 days. They can only refer with the individual's consent and should ask which local authority they want to be referred to.
If you are a statutory agency with a ‘Duty to Refer’ under the Homeless Reduction Act, please email dutytorefer@slough.gov.uk for a link to ‘ALERT’ and for details on making a referral.
From October 2018, the following services must refer service users they consider may be homeless or at risk:
- Prisons (public and private)
- Youth offender institutions
- Secure training centres
- Secure colleges
- Youth offending teams
- Probation services (community rehabilitation companies and national probation service)
- Jobcentre Plus
- Accident and emergency services in hospitals
- Urgent treatment centres (including locally designated urgent care centres, minor injury units, minor injury services, and walk-in centres)
- Hospitals providing in-patient treatment
- Social service authorities.
The Secretary of State for Defence also has a duty to refer members of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, regular army, and Royal Air Force.