If you’re working closely with someone who needs help, you can still support them to get the right advice at the right time.
Who can make a referral
Professionals and charities who work closely with people in housing need can help someone contact the council for support. This includes:
- voluntary and community organisations
- housing support workers
- advice services
- schools, colleges or faith-based organisations
You don’t have to be a public body with a legal duty, your referral still matters and could help prevent someone from becoming homeless.
Gather relevant information
Before referring someone, try to confirm:
- the person’s full name
- contact details
- 5 years of address history (if any)
- household members
- any health issues or vulnerabilities the local authority should be aware of
You can still refer someone if you don’t have all this information. As a minimum, we need:
- their name
- contact details
- and their agreement to be referred
Making a referral
Even if you’re not legally required to refer, you can still use the duty to refer form to alert us to someone’s situation.
You must:
- get the person’s consent
- explain that the council may contact them to offer help
In some cases, a person may also be known to another service with a legal duty to refer. If so, you could help them contact that service too.
Get involved: Homelessness Prevention Forum
We host a quarterly forum for professionals and organisations working to prevent and reduce homelessness in Sheffield.
The forum is an opportunity to:
- hear about the latest developments across the city
- share ideas and best practices
- collaborate on effective prevention strategies
This forum is for professionals only and is a ticketed event. A work email address is required to register.
To find out more or request to join, please contact HousingSolutionsGeneric@sheffield.gov.uk.