Guidance for Accommodation Referrals to
Crossroads Derbyshire
Crossroads Derbyshire provides accommodation for women and children who are experiencing the effects of domestic abuse, including abuse by same sex partner or other family member, forced marriage and elder abuse.
Female specialist staff provide 24/7 support Monday to Friday as well as overnight support from 7pm to 9am Saturday and Sunday.
The Harmony Project is eligible for women of 16-24 years of age and their children who need a safe place to stay due to domestic abuse. We can accommodate up to five families. Crossroads Derbyshire is unable to accept serious offenders, and women with a history of violence. If in doubt, contact the staff by telephoning 01457 856675 for advice.
In order to assess applicant’s level of support needs and the appropriateness of Crossroads Derbyshire in meeting those needs, we require as much information about the applicant as possible on the following:
1) History of Domestic Abuse. Include detailed information on the perpetrator.
2) Housing History. Include last known address; outline accommodation history giving reasons for tenancy breakdown where applicable. Please include addresses of any supported housing projects/hostels/refuges where the applicant has lived before, with dates, if known.
3) Risk Assessment. Please outline the applicant’s history of risk taking behaviour and mental ill health and information on any support received for these, as well as any additional support required.
4) Children. Please give as much information as possible on any children that the applicant has.
Assessment. Referrals will be assessed as quickly as possible and the speed of decision will largely depend on the ability of the referring agency to provide appropriate information to support the referral. Offers are made on the basis of information provided in referral applications. We aim to give a same day response but this may not be possible if additional information is needed and we are awaiting this from other agencies. At all times we will do our best to work with others to prioritise the risk and safety of incoming service users.
Prioritisation. In allocating accommodation, every effort will be made to maintain a safe environment for all residents and staff. We may from time to time have to delay or refuse a potential referral having taken into account the needs of the existing resident group as a whole.
Offers. The accommodation may maintain a waiting list, if necessary, and those assessed, as being in greatest need will be contacted first if a vacancy arises. If more than one referral has been assessed as suitable to receive an offer of accommodation the allocation will be made according to greatest need (see Prioritisation, above).
Please note that offers made on the basis of false, misleading or incomplete information may later be withdrawn in the light of information not previously disclosed.
Equal Opportunities. Crossroads Derbyshire reserves the right to refuse any referral, although full reasons for refusal will be provided. Crossroads Derbyshire maintains a strict Equal Opportunities Policy.
Complaints. The Crossroads Derbyshire Complaints and Comments Policy and leaflet are available from the above address on request.
WHAT CAN WE OFFER
1) The Harmony Project provides women and children with temporary accommodation in a safe, stable and supportive environment with 24/7 support Monday-Friday, overnight support at weekends, and on-call emergency cover.
2) We aim to meet the needs of the women and their children who have experienced the effects of domestic abuse.
3) Crossroads Derbyshire has established links with local Health and Social Care teams, Housing Associations and with local voluntary support organisations. The staff will assist residents in accessing any specialist or professional support they need.
4) Each resident of the Harmony Project has a dedicated Keyworker, who will identify the resident’s individual needs, liaising with other specialists to achieve this. The Keyworker develops a tailored Support Plan with the resident, which is regularly reviewed and updated. The aim of the support plan is to assist the resident in working at an appropriate pace towards independent living.
5) The staff team provides support and advice to residents in claiming benefits, seeking appropriate moving-on accommodation, accessing education, medical and other specialist support services, as required. They help residents to develop life skills such as budgeting, shopping, cooking, and personal and domestic hygiene. Staff will support the resident in relating to other agencies and help to access specialist or professional advice if required.
Application Appeals Procedure
If someone is dissatisfied with Crossroads Derbyshire’s decision not to offer them accommodation, they should appeal in the following way: (See also Crossroads Derbyshire’s Complaints and Comments Policy)
Stage 1
An opportunity to speak to the Services Manager will be available. This will happen within the same working day if possible but at least within 24hours.
Stage 2
If the service user is not satisfied with the response she has received she can take her complaint further to the Chair of Crossroads Derbyshire’s Management Committee. It must be put in writing, indicating clearly on the envelope that the contents are a stage two complaint, for the attention of the Chair of the Management Committee, PO BOX 22 Glossop Derbyshire SK13 8AE. The Services Manager will acknowledge the complaint in writing within 7 working days.
The Chair will investigate the complaint and respond with the outcome of the investigation within a further 28 working days. If for any reason the investigation cannot be completed within that period the service user will be informed in writing and told what day the investigation will be completed by.
Stage 3
The Chair will investigate the complaint and respond with the outcome of the investigation within a further 28 working days. If for any reason the investigation cannot be completed within that period the service user will be informed in writing and told what day the investigation will be completed by.
This should be in writing but the service user will be provided with support in discussing and understanding the situation with a staff member to ensure that they feel an acceptable resolution has been found if they wish to do so.
CROSSROADS DERBYSHIRE
ACCOMMODATION Referral form
Please complete all sections of this form. Please provide as much information as possible. This information will help us decide whether our service is the most suitable to support the needs of you/the woman referred.
Date of referral / Your name/name of woman referred / Date of birthPresent address Home address (if different)
………………………………………………….. ……………………………………………………………
………………………………………………….. ……………………………………………………………
………………………………………………….. ……………………………………………………………
Telephone number…………………………………. Mobile number…………………………………
Is it safe to use these numbers Yes c No c
National Insurance Number……………………………………………….
Referral Type
Self c Probation c
Housing Association c Leaving Care Team c
Social Care c Other (please specify)………………………. c
Police c
If a referring agency are you:
Become involved c Continue your support c Not be involved from this point c
How did you hear about Crossroads Derbyshire?
Has there been a referral made to MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference)?
Yes c Please state when and where………………………………………………..
No c What was the score on the RIC……………………………………………..
Please provide details about the type/s of domestic abuse experienced
Physical c Same sex partner abuse c
Emotional c Forced marriage c
Financial c Honour based violence c
Sexual/Sexual exploitation c Familial abuse c
Date of most recent incident:……………………………
What happened and where?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Was this incident reported to the police?
Yes c No c
Are there court proceedings outstanding?
Yes c No c
If so please give details………………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Details of the perpetrator:
Their name: …………………………………… Your relationship with that person: ……………………
Their address………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Hair Colour……………………. Build…………………… Age…………………. Height………………..
Eye Colour…………………….. Distinctive features………………………………………….…………..
Which children, if any, are they a parent to? ……………………………………………………….…
Do they have parental responsibility?
Yes c No c
Do you have a residency order or contact order in place?
Yes c No c
Have they ever been charged or prosecuted for the abuse now or in the past?
Yes c Please give details………………………………………………………………………………………...
No c
Have you/the woman referred been in supported accommodation before?
Yes c No c
Have you/the woman had any experience of living independently
Yes c No c
Are there any previous tenancy/housing issues? e.g. rent arrears.
Yes c No c
If answered yes to any of the above please give details ………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Do you/the woman referred have a history of the following? (Please tick)
Violent behaviour Yes c No c
Harm to children Yes c No c
Gambling Yes c No c
Arson Yes c No c
Fire Setting Yes c No c
Sex Offending Yes c No c
Misuse of Medication Yes c No c
Violence towards staff Yes c No c
Any history of offending Yes c No c
If answered yes to any of the above, please give details answering on a separate sheet if necessary ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Are you/the woman referred receiving any additional support for anything listed above – e.g. social worker, community mental health team, care order or any other statutory supervision e.g. parole license, bail, probation
Yes c No c
If yes please provide details including the name and contact information
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………......
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Are there any issues concerning mental health?
Anxiety/depression Yes c No c Psychiatric conditions Yes c No c
Self Harm Yes c No c Substance Misuse Yes c No c Suicidal thoughts or attempts Yes c No c
Do you/the woman referred have any additional needs? e.g. medical conditions or disabilities
Yes c No c
Do you/the woman referred require any additional support for the above?
Yes c No c
If answered yes to any of the above, please give details……………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Have other agencies been involved with assisting you/the woman referred with any situation? e.g. Police, Solicitor, Social Care.
Yes c No c
If yes please give details …………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Do you/the woman referred require support or information to meet cultural needs?
Yes c No c
If yes please give details…………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Do you/the woman referred require support to be able to remain in the UK?
Yes c No c
If yes please give details…………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
How are you/the woman referred currently being supported financially?
…………………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………
Names of any children Dates of birth Male/Female
1
2
3
Are you pregnant?
Yes c Please specify due date:
No c
Are the child/children receiving support from other agencies? e.g. Social Care, Connexions.
Yes c No c
If yes please give details including the names and contact information
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Have the child/children got any additional needs? e.g. medical conditions or disabilities.
Yes c No c
Is there a need for additional support in child care?
Yes c No c
If yes please give details
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Please tell us about any hopes, fears, concerns and expectations you/the woman referred has of our service?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
I declare that the information I have given is a full and honest account to the best of my knowledge
Signed by the Agency: ......
Signed by the Woman: ......
Date: ………………………….
Please return the form by faxing it to 01457 855199 or by email to
EQUALITIES OPPORTUNITIES MONITORING FORM
To help us monitor how our service is being used please complete this monitoring form for each referral. Please circle and specify
AGE GROUPUnder 18 / o / 18 to 25 / o
26 to 35 / o / 36 to 45 / o
46 to 55 / o / 56 to 65 / o
Over 65 / o
RELIGION / BELIEF
Buddhist / o / Christian / o
Hindu / o / Jewish / o
Muslim / o / Sikh / o
No Religion / o / Prefer Not To Say / o
Other Religion / o
Other (Please specify): …………………………………………………………
ETHNIC ORIGIN
Asian or Asian British / White
Indian / o / British / o
Pakistani / o / Irish / o
Bangladeshi / o / Other European / o
Any other Asian Background / o / Other Non-European / o
Black or Black British / Dual Heritage
Caribbean / o / White & Black Caribbean / o
African / o / White &Black African / o
Other Black Background / o / White and Asian / o
Other Dual Heritage / o
Other (Please specify): …………………………………………………………
MARITAL STATUS
Single / o / Married / o
Civil Partnership / o / Widowed / o
Divorced / o / Separated / o
Co-habiting / o
SEXUALITY
Heterosexual / o / Lesbian / o
Bi-sexual / o / Homosexual / o
Transgender / o / Prefer Not to Say / o
REGIONAL LOCATION
High Peak / o / Derbyshire Dales / o
EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Receiving ESA / o / Receiving Income Support / o
Receiving JSA / o / Receiving DLA / o
Part Time Work / o / Full time Work / o
Other …………….… / o / Student / o
Universal Credit / o
FAMILY COMPOSITION
No Dependants / o / Dependant(s) Under 5 / o
Dependant(s) 6 – 12 / o / Dependant(s) Over 12 / o
No longer dependant(s) Over 18 / o
DISABILITIES
Do you consider yourself to have a disability? (The Equality Act 2010 considers a person to be disabled if they have a "mental or physical impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry our normal day activities.")
YES c NO c PREFER NOT TO SAY c
If YES, please state the type of disability which applies to you. People may experience more than one type of disability, in which case you may indicate more than one. If none of the categories apply, please mark ‘other’.
Physical impairment / o / Physical impairment / oSensory impairment / o / Sensory impairment / o
Mental Health condition / o / Mental Health condition / o
Long standing illness / o / Long standing illness / o
Learning disability / o / Learning disability / o
Prefer not to say / o / Prefer not to say / o
Other (Please specify): …………………………………………………………
For Crossroads Derbyshire Office Use Only
Referral outcome and action agreed with the woman and referring agency:
Signposted Yes c No c
If yes, please give details:
Name of worker dealing with this referral:
Date:
1
November 2014