Partner agencies - duty to refer

Duty to refer

From 1 October 2018, there is a new legal duty on specified public authorities to refer service users to an English housing authority if they may be: 

  • Homeless
  • Threatened with homelessness 
  • Prisons and young offender institutions
  • Youth offending teams and probation services (including Community Rehabilitation Companies)
  • Jobcentres in England
  • Social service authorities
  • Emergency departments and hospital inpatient care
  • The Secretary of State for defence

However, we encourage all partner agencies to let us know as soon as possible if you believe a household needs our help.

If you work for a partner agency you can register and then refer to our Housing Options Team.

Register and refer using Jigsaw ALERT

You must have your client's permission to make a referral.

The government has also produced guidance on the duty to refer.

There is a procedure and a summary document for any organisation requiring more information about making referrals to one of the five Oxfordshire housing authorities.

If you have any problems using the referral portal please phone our Housing Options Team on 01295 753751 or email us on homelessreferrals@cherwell-dc.gov.uk.