Public organisations can refer homeless / threatened with homelessness service users to local housing authorities such as Bedford Borough Council.
Who has a duty to refer?
The following authorities have a duty to refer:
- prisons
- youth offender institutions and youth offender teams
- secure training centres and colleges
- 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
For more information, read GOV.UK’s guide to the duty to refer.
How to make a referral
You can make a referral in the following ways:
- Online: Register to use the alert service
- Complete the Duty to Refer Referral form (Word)
- Email: DutyToRefer@bedford.gov.uk
- Telephone 01234 718058
What happens after the referral?
Once you have made a referral, our assessment and advice team will contact the service user, using the details you have provided. We will contact you if we need more information.