If you work for a specified public authority, you can refer a service user to us if they will have nowhere suitable to live when they leave your care. This is the 'duty to refer'.
Check what public authorities in England have a duty to refer on GOV.UK
Understand the duty to refer on the GOV.UK website
The service user must have a connection to Westmorland and Furness Council.
There's a different kind of referral if you're concerned about someone sleeping on the streets.
Get help for someone who is sleeping rough.
Before you make a referral
You must:
- get the person’s consent - they must agree to you passing on their contact details (unless they are a vulnerable adult, or you believe it to be a child safeguarding concern)
- find out how they would like us to contact them - either by phone, email or letter
Make a referral under the duty to refer
Make a referral on the Housing Assistance Referral Portal
What happens next
We'll check the details you've given and either phone, email or write a letter to the service user.
If they do not respond, we'll send information so they can get advice when they're ready.
Contact us
Barrow area
Barrow Homelessness Team
Telephone: 01229 876 599
Email: dutytorefer1@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Eden Area
Eden Homelessness Team
Telephone: 01768 212 179
Email: dutytorefer2@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
South Lakeland area
South Lakeland Homelessness Team
Telephone: 01539 793 199
Email: dutytorefer3@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Contact us out of hours
Telephone: 01229 833 311