Who can live with us?

Referral Criteria

  • Homeless or at risk of homelessness
  • Aged between 16-24 years’ old
  • Support needs at an appropriate level
  • Willingness to engage with support and training

Priority Groups

  • 16/17 year olds who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
  • Care leavers
  • Young people aged under 18 leaving custody

Referral Routes

Are you a professional?

When a young person is homeless/at risk of homelessness and they present as homeless to you, you must complete the First Contact Script (FCS) along with the young person. The completed FCS must then be emailed to the Youth Homeless & Housing Team mailbox (email address on FCS).

If the YP is aged 16/17 and is homeless/at imminent risk of homelessness, a Safeguarding Hub referral must be completed by you via the Single Contact Form (Joint Protocol for Homeless Young People in Cumbria | Westmorland and Furness Council)

Once the FCS is received, the Youth Homeless & Housing Team will process it into the Positive Housing Pathway, send the FCS to the relevant supported accommodation provider to make initial contact with the young person, and refer the YP for discussion at the next available Gateway Group meeting.  Gateway Group meetings occur on alternate Wednesdays and the format is conference call.  Dial-in instructions for the meetings are sent out with the calendar invites.  Present at the meeting are Diane Harrison (Youth Homeless & Housing Team Manager), local Youth Homeless & Housing Officer, supported accommodation provider, a representative of the local Council, Nightstop and any other professionals involved with the young person.  The young person is discussed and actions agreed and distributed.  The supported accommodation provider will continue to have contact with the young person and a decision will be made as to whether the young person is accepted for accommodation.

Are you the young person or young person’s family/friend?

A professional needs to complete the referral form with you, you can NOT self-refer. If you do not have any professionals working with you, please contact our office on 01229 832127 and we can arrange an appointment to support you.