Homelessness Policy and Procedure

HOMELESS STANDBY SERVICE

Since 1978, South Ayrshire Council, formerly Kyle and Carrick District Council, has operated a 24-hour stand-by service. The service is designed to assist people who become homeless out-with normal office hours. Where someone is homeless outside office hours [between 4.45 pm and 8.45 am Monday to Thursday and 4.00pm and 8.45am on Monday], they should contact the homeless standby. The telephone number is displayed in the window of each of the Area Offices, from the police and from various statutory and voluntary departments and agencies.

A trained member of staff receives the call and completes a form covering the following questions:

Reason the person has nowhere to stay
Last address
Family composition

If the person is assessed as having nowhere to stay and they have exhausted all other potential sources of emergency accommodation until a homeless persons interview can be arranged, then a placement in Aberley House, a B&B or hostel is arranged. They are given the address of Aberley House, a B&B or hostel and a taxi is provided, where necessary. The person is also asked to report to the Homeless Section or the appropriate Area Office the next working day. The Homeless Section or the appropriate Area Office is faxed with the details.

Aberley House, the Bed and Breakfast or hostel is contacted 30 minutes to 1 hour later to ensure the person has arrived. If the person has not arrived, staff at the establishment will be asked to contact the standby number if they arrive later. Where the person does not 'book in', details are still sent to the Homeless Section or Area Office. A note of other emergency numbers, e.g. DSS, Social Work standby are also available.