Time Scales for Joint Meetings and Decisions. Actions will need to be timely and carried out as below: Any approach to Housing or Children’s Services must result in initial enquiries being made immediately. Following initial enquiries a decision should be made about whether the individual appears to require immediate help and further assessment. If there is an immediate need for accommodation, because the young person is homeless and has nowhere safe to stay that night, the organisation who was approached first will provide this. If the initial approach is to the LHA and it is considered the young person is homeless and requires further assistance, then the LHA will refer and request a joint housing assessment through CDT (request to be made within 24 hours). A joint housing assessment between a qualified social worker and a housing officer should be completed within 3 working days of this request being received. During this time the Children, Young People and Education service will be able to assess whether they require further time to intervene with the young person and their family providing intensive services to prevent homelessness. If the initial approach is to the Children, Young People and Education service and the case is already open, then the allocated worker or team will carry out an initial response and request a XXX with the LHA (XXX to be completed within 3 working days of this request).
