Designated Safeguarding Leads in education settings should be alert to children living with families who are being made homeless or at risk of becoming homeless as this presents a real risk to the child’s welfare.

Indicators that a family may be at risk of homelessness can/may include:

• household debt
• rent arrears
• domestic abuse
• anti-social behaviour
• being asked to leave a property.

Designated Safeguarding Leads should be aware of contact details and referral routes into the Local Housing Authority so they can raise/progress concerns at the earliest opportunity, however this does not, and should not, replace a referral into children’s social care where a child has been harmed or is at risk of harm.

Education settings may also come across cases where 16 and 17-year-old learners may be living independently from their parents or guardians, for example through their exclusion from the family home; these young people will require a different level of intervention and support, led by Children’s services.

• Statutory guidance on the provision of accommodation for 16 and 17-year-olds

Useful links to further information and support:

• Porchlight 
• Barnardo's
• Shelter