Children’s Services across England pick up cases of families where there is no housing duty owing. Unless work is truly joined up, this can cost significant amounts of money with no

improved outcomes for families.

​

​

This 1 day course is aimed at Housing Options and Children’s Services staff dealing with cases where a homelessness duty has been ended because of an intentional homeless decision, or refusal of a final offer, or where a family has no recourse to public funds. The objective is of the day is:

 

•    To help Housing and Children’s Services staff clarify the legal position where a vulnerable family

may be homeless and could fall between Homelessness and Social Care legislation

 

•    To keep a local authority  (either District, Unitary or County) safe from legal challenge or the

risk of a finding of maladministration from the Ombudsman

 

•    To discuss and agree future joint working to ensure that legal duties are met, whilst

minimising duplication, additional costs and any unnecessary burdens

 

•    Develop and/or improve your shared, corporate understanding of the interplay

between homelessness and children's services legislation

 

•    Agree joint working processes to ensure that vulnerable homeless families are safeguarded

and their needs are met where possible

 

•     Improve efficiencies through joint working and increase overall cost savings by

undertaking a more streamlined and joined up approach