Children's services housing referral guide

If you work in children's services, social care, or family support, you will regularly work with families whose housing conditions affect the safety and welfare of children in the home. Poor housing is closely linked to poor outcomes for children, from respiratory illness caused by damp and mould, to developmental issues linked to cold, overcrowded, or unstable homes. Here we cover the housing issues children's services workers commonly encounter and the referral pathways available.

Why housing matters for children's welfare

Research consistently shows that poor housing conditions have significant impacts on children, including:

• Respiratory conditions such as asthma and recurrent chest infections linked to damp and mould
• Sleep disruption and educational underachievement linked to overcrowding
• Mental health difficulties linked to housing instability
• Developmental concerns linked to cold or hazardous environments
• Increased stress on parents and carers that can affect parenting capacity

When you are working with a family and housing conditions are a concern, housing disrepair, overcrowding, or instability should be identified and addressed as part of the holistic assessment.

Housing problems you are likely to encounter in casework

Damp and mould. Many families you work with will be living in privately rented or social housing with significant damp and mould problems. Children's respiratory health is particularly vulnerable. Landlords often fail to act despite repeated reporting.

Overcrowding. Families in overcrowded homes face multiple challenges: children cannot do homework or sleep properly, and shared facilities create conflict and stress.

Unsuitable properties. A child with a disability may be living in a property that is not accessible or adapted for their needs. A family fleeing domestic abuse may have found temporary housing that is unsafe.

Homelessness risk. Families facing eviction are at high risk of homelessness. Early identification and referral to housing support can prevent homelessness and the serious disruption it causes to children.

Temporary accommodation. Families in temporary accommodation, hotels, B&Bs, hostels, may be in conditions that are inappropriate for children. B&B accommodation for families is only allowed for up to 6 weeks under the statutory homeless framework.

Referral pathways

Local authority housing team

If a family is at risk of homelessness within 56 days, the local authority has a duty to help under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. A professional referral from a children's services worker, accompanied by a letter describing the impact on the children, can support and expedite the application.

Priority need

Families with dependent children who are homeless have priority need for homelessness assistance. A professional letter setting out the ages of the children, their current living conditions, and any specific vulnerabilities carries weight in priority assessments.

Disabled Facilities Grant

If a child in the family has a disability requiring adaptations to the home, a Disabled Facilities Grant application should be initiated. An occupational therapy assessment is usually required. Children's services workers can often help facilitate this assessment.

Housing disrepair referral

If the family is a private tenant and the home has disrepair the landlord has failed to fix, damp, broken heating, structural problems, a referral to a housing disrepair solicitor may be appropriate. Evidence linking the housing conditions to the children's health or welfare strengthens such a referral. Support for Tenants accepts referrals from professionals acting on behalf of tenants.

Environmental health

If the disrepair is serious, the council's environmental health team can inspect and require works. Where there is a child's welfare concern, this can often be treated as a priority referral.

Writing a supporting letter

A letter from a children's services worker or social worker supporting a housing application or complaint carries significant weight. Include:

• Your professional relationship with the family
• Ages of the children in the household
• How the housing conditions are affecting the children's health, welfare, or development
• Any specific vulnerabilities relevant to the housing need
• Your professional assessment of why the current situation is unacceptable

Specific clinical or welfare connections to the housing conditions are more persuasive than general statements.

When should I contact Support for Tenants?

Support for Tenants handles housing disrepair claims for tenants in England on a no-win no-fee basis. We accept professional referrals from children's services workers and social workers on behalf of families who are private tenants with unresolved disrepair.

Call us on 0800 030 4669 to discuss a referral.

Sources

• Children Act 1989 (legislation.gov.uk)
• Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 (legislation.gov.uk)