| Code | Category | Description | X-Refs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 600 | Referral & Access | The overall system and processes by which individuals who need supported housing are identified, assessed for eligibility (both for housing and for support), and connected with appropriate accommodation and support services. This encompasses the pathways individuals take to enter the supported housing system, including the challenges and barriers they may face. | |
| 610 | Referral Sources | The organisations, individuals, or points of contact that can initiate the process of referring someone to supported housing. | |
| 610.1 | Social Services | Local authority departments responsible for providing social care services. | |
| 610.2 | Health Services (NHS) | Hospitals, mental health teams, community health services, GPs. | |
| 610.3 | Probation Service | Supervising offenders in the community. | |
| 610.4 | Street Outreach Teams | Working directly with people who are sleeping rough. | |
| 610.5 | Self-Referral | An individual directly approaching a provider or local authority. | |
| 610.6 | Local Authority Housing | The housing department within a local authority. | |
| 610.7 | Other Third Sector Organisations | Other charities, support services, etc. | |
| 620 | Referral Process | The specific steps and procedures involved in making a referral. | |
| 620.1 | Initial Contact | The first point of interaction. | |
| 620.2 | Referral Form Completion | Filling out a standardised form with information about the individual. | |
| 620.3 | Information Sharing | The ethical and lawful exchange of information between relevant parties, with appropriate consent. | 840.1, 530.7, 130.4 |
| 630 | Assessment & Eligibility | The processes for determining an individual’s needs and their eligibility for supported housing and related services. This includes both housing needs and support needs. | |
| 630.1 | Housing Needs Assessment | The assessment conducted by the local authority (or its agents) to determine an individual’s eligibility for social housing, the type of housing they require, and their priority on the housing register. This is often separate from, but linked to, the care needs assessment. | 530.x (Housing Acts, Homelessness Legislation) |
| 630.2 | Care & Support Needs Assessment | (See 310) – Cross-reference to the existing categories for care needs assessment. | 310 |
| 630.3 | Assessment of eligibility for “Exempt Accommodation” | 410.1.1 | |
| 640 | Allocation & Matching | The processes for allocating available supported housing places to eligible applicants, and for matching individuals with the most appropriate accommodation and support based on their needs and preferences. | |
| 640.1 | Local Authority Allocation Policies | The policies and procedures used by local authorities to prioritise applicants for social housing, including supported housing. These policies typically take into account factors such as housing need, waiting time, and vulnerability. | 530.x
(Housing |
| 640.2 | Housing Registers & Waiting Lists | The lists maintained by local authorities of individuals who have applied for social housing. Understanding how these lists operate, and how supported housing placements are prioritised within them, is crucial. | |
| 640.3 | Matching Process | The process of matching an individual’s assessed needs and preferences with the available supported housing options, taking into account factors such as the type of support provided, the location of the accommodation, and the individual’s own wishes. | |
| 650 | Individual Choice & Control | The extent to which individuals have choice and control over the referral and allocation process, including the ability to express their preferences, refuse offers of accommodation, and participate in decisions about their support. | 130 |
| 660 | Barriers to Access | The factors that can prevent or hinder individuals from accessing supported housing, even if they are eligible. | |
| 660.1 | Lack of Available Accommodation | A shortage of suitable supported housing places in a particular area. | 200, 430 |
| 660.2 | Complex Application Processes | Difficult or time-consuming application procedures that can deter individuals from applying or completing the process. | |
| 660.3 | Discrimination | Unlawful discrimination based on protected characteristics (e.g., disability, race, gender) that prevents individuals from accessing supported housing. | 110.2, 130.3, 530.3 |
| 660.4 | Lack of Information/Awareness | Individuals being unaware of the availability of supported housing or how to access it. | |
| 660.5 | Digital Exclusion | Difficulty accessing online application systems or information due to lack of internet access or digital skills. | |
| 660.6 | Stigma | Negative attitudes and stereotypes associated with supported housing or its residents, which can deter individuals from seeking help or lead to discrimination. | |
| 660.7 | Affordability | The cost of supported housing, including rent and service charges, may be a barrier for some individuals, even with Housing Benefit or Universal Credit. | 410 |
| 670 | Refusal and Rejection | Situations where an individual refuses an offer of supported housing, or where a provider rejects an application. | |
| 670.1 | Refusal by Applicant | Reasons why an individual might refuse an offer of supported housing (e.g., location, type of accommodation, concerns about other residents). | |
| 670.2 | Rejection of Application | Reasons why a supported housing provider might reject an application (e.g., the individual’s needs are too high, the accommodation is not suitable, safeguarding concerns). | |
| 680 | Move-on Planning | The process of planning for a resident’s eventual move to more independent accommodation, starting from the point of entry into supported housing. This is closely linked to promoting independence and ensuring that supported housing is not seen as a permanent solution for everyone. | 730 |