Multi-Agency Working

Working with Housing Services: Social Work Guide

January 2025•11 min read

Why Housing Matters

Adequate housing is fundamental to children's welfare. Poor housing conditions, overcrowding, and homelessness directly impact children's health, education, and development. Social workers frequently encounter families with housing problems, making collaboration with housing services essential.

Understanding Housing Law

Homelessness Legislation

The Housing Act 1996 (as amended) sets out local authority duties to homeless households:

  • Duty to provide advice and assistance
  • Duty to assess homeless applications
  • Priority need categories (including families with children)
  • Intentional homelessness considerations
  • Local connection requirements

Priority Need

Households with dependent children are automatically in priority need. This means housing has a duty to provide temporary accommodation if they are homeless.

Key point: A family with children should never be left street homeless. Housing must provide emergency accommodation even while making enquiries about their application.

Making Housing Referrals

Information to Include

  • Household composition (all children and adults)
  • Current housing situation
  • Reason for homelessness or housing need
  • Any vulnerabilities or support needs
  • Safeguarding concerns if relevant
  • Medical or disability needs

Supporting Evidence

  • Letters from you explaining social care involvement
  • Evidence of domestic abuse if applicable
  • Medical letters supporting housing need
  • Information about children's schools

Document Housing Concerns

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Common Scenarios

Fleeing Domestic Abuse

  • Priority need is automatic
  • Cannot be found intentionally homeless for fleeing
  • Refuge provision is available
  • Support with rehousing in safe area
  • May have duties from original local authority

Eviction

  • Housing should assist before eviction where possible
  • Rent arrears may raise intentionality questions
  • Anti-social behaviour can affect applications
  • Important to engage early

Overcrowding

  • May qualify for rehousing on medical or welfare grounds
  • Impact on children can support applications
  • May be eligible for larger property transfer

Housing Conditions

Assessing Conditions

In home visits, note:

  • Damp, mould, or condensation
  • Heating adequacy
  • Safety hazards
  • Overcrowding
  • Pest infestations
  • Disrepair

Who to Contact

  • Private landlord repairs—Environmental Health
  • Council housing repairs—housing repairs team
  • Housing association—their repairs service
  • Serious hazards—Environmental Health enforcement

Children in Need and Housing

Section 17 Duties

Children's services have limited duties to provide housing:

  • Cannot be used to top up housing shortage
  • May provide emergency help in specific circumstances
  • Housing is primary responsibility of housing department
  • Joint working protocol should exist

Avoiding Cost-Shunting

  • Housing and children's services must work together
  • Children should not be accommodated just due to housing
  • Escalate disputes through management
  • Focus on what's best for the child

Care Leavers

Priority Need Status

Care leavers under 21 (or 25 if in education) have priority need for housing. Your role includes:

  • Supporting housing applications
  • Ensuring housing knows of care leaver status
  • Advocating for appropriate accommodation
  • Helping maintain tenancies

Joint Protocols

What Should Exist

Most areas have joint working protocols covering:

  • 16/17-year-old homeless young people
  • Families with children threatened with homelessness
  • Care leavers
  • Intentional homelessness with children

Escalation

When disputes arise:

  • Use joint protocol dispute resolution
  • Escalate through management
  • Consider legal advice for families
  • Focus on children's needs

Temporary Accommodation

Challenges for Children

  • Disruption to school
  • Shared facilities
  • Inadequate space for play and homework
  • Instability and uncertainty

Your Advocacy Role

  • Push for suitable temporary accommodation
  • Highlight impact on children
  • Support school transport if needed
  • Advocate for speedy permanent housing

Conclusion

Housing problems significantly impact children's welfare. Work collaboratively with housing colleagues, understand basic housing law, and advocate persistently for families. Good housing is a foundation for everything else we're trying to achieve for children.