Refer a service user for support (duty to refer)

Refer a service user as homeless or threatened with homelessness.

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