North London
Domestic Violence
Reciprocal Agreement
Boroughs in the North London sub-region collaborating on
homelessness prevention in cases of domestic violence
October 2013
North London sub region
Domestic Violence Reciprocal Agreement
Boroughs in the North London sub-region collaborating on homelessness
prevention in cases of domestic violence
Contents:
Page Number
1. Purpose of the Agreement……………………………………………....1
2. Key principles……………………………………………………..……… 1
3. Referral Process………………………………………………………… .2
4. Additional operational considerations…………………………………. 3
5. Offer of Accommodation…………………………………………………3
6. Provision of Support…………………………………………………… ..4
7. Monitoring & evaluation arrangements………………………………...4
8. NLHP named Partners…………………………………………………..5
Appendix 1: Urgent Property Request Form
Appendix 2: Operations Pathway Guidelines
1
Purpose of the Agreement:
a. Boroughs in the North London sub-region to join together to assist their
tenants who need to flee from their home. The purpose of the pilot DV
Reciprocal Agreement is to establish a mutually supportive framework
through which all partners can work together to rehouse their tenants who are
experiencing domestic violence and need to move home.
b. The DV Reciprocal pilot is intended to assist tenants subjected to domestic
violence, regardless of gender, “where there are safety issues and/or child
protection concerns and where there are threats of violence, where a person
has been subjected to violence” (as defined by the new cross-Government
definition, 2013) and there is a likelihood of further violence and the survivors
address is known to the perpetrator.
c. The DV Reciprocal Agreement is intended to increase safe options, offer
choice and an alternative to the homelessness route and potentially long
spells in temporary accommodation.
d. The agreement is subject to the constraints of availability, to locate suitable
alternative accommodation within a mutually agreed location and is subject to
the policies and procedures of all participating organisations.
2
Key Principles:
a. After initial enquiries to determine that the case deserves further investigation,
the case will be treated as an application for a management transfer or
equivalent.
b. The assessment should maximise the possibility that alternative approaches
to allow the tenant to stay in their own home or be transferred by their existing
1
landlord are fully explored. It is expected that these options should be fully
explored prior to a decision that the tenant needs an out of borough move.
c. All referrals will be subject to the policies and procedures of the receiving
borough. Where it is not possible to provide alternative accommodation, the
host/referring borough will work with the tenant to discuss housing options,
with safety being the primary concern.
d. Applicants might, for safety at the time of application, be staying with family or
friends, in temporary accommodation or in a women’s refuge, however their
existing tenancy must be with one of the participating boroughs within the
North London sub-region. The North London sub-region comprises of the
London boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey, Islington and
Westminster.
3
Referral Process:
a. Each Partner will nominate a lead contact and a reserve person. Partners
will notify the North London sub regional Homelessness & Overcrowding
Coordinator when there is a change of Named Person/s or contact details.
b. When a tenant approaches their landlord with a request to move from their
accommodation due to fleeing Domestic Violence, it has been agreed by
partners that as the tenant of a North London Housing Partnership named
partner, they will be asked if a reciprocal has been discussed with them.
c. The Partner will conduct a risk assessment and try to arrange suitable
transfer within their own stock.
d. Where this is not possible, a request for alternative accommodation will be
sent to Partners. The request will identify the area/s where the tenant has
indicated that they wish to be rehoused.
e. Where the client approaches their home borough to make use of the
Reciprocal Agreement, a request for alternative accommodation to
Partners in the chosen area should be made by email using the Reciprocal
‘Urgent Property Request and Nominations’ form to the named person on
the Reciprocal contact list.
f.
When rehousing a high risk client (established through risk assessment)
the case will be discussed between the most senior housing options
officers to ensure a swift resolution.
g. Where a reciprocal request has been made, the receiving borough will
acknowledge receipt of the request within 3 working days. A decision on
whether they will accept the reciprocal move will be confirmed to the
requesting borough within 5 working days.
h. Where a reciprocal request is accepted, partners must aim to complete the
procedure as swiftly as is reasonably possible.
i.
The Partner requesting assistance will be responsible for advising Partners
and the sub regional Homelessness & Overcrowding Coordinator if and
when an offer has been made and accepted.
2
j.
All referrals will be subject to the policies and procedures of the receiving
borough.
k. Where a Partner assists in the housing of a tenant of another Partner, the
referring borough will owe a property of similar size and type to the
receiving borough.
4
Additional Operational Considerations;
a. OVERCROWDING: If the client was overcrowded in their previous
accommodation, the size of the property the applicant is offered will be in
accordance with the receiving borough’s policy on management transfer
b. PERMANENT ACCOMMODATION: After the person has been housed in
permanent accommodation, the referring borough should assign a property to
the receiving borough. This should be done as soon as practicably possible.
c. LIKE-FOR-LIKE PROPERTIES: The reciprocal property should be of a similar
standard and type where possible to the property that the applicant has
received. The property will be of the same size as the property in which the
applicant has been rehoused, as opposed to the property they have vacated
– although this will be subject to negotiation between the relevant parties.
d. HOUSING BENEFIT PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS:
Housing Benefit will pay on 2 properties for up to 4 weeks (if there is no
intention to return) or 52 weeks (if there is an intention to return). A decision
on whether the person will be moving needs to be made quickly and, if they
are not to return, notice given to the landlord.
e. Where an individual is not already in receipt of housing benefit, a claim can
be made.
f.
Boroughs can consider the use of a Discretionary Housing Payment ( DHP)
for payment of rent
g. CHANGE OF LANDLORD: Households changing landlords will be provided
with details of the receiving landlords’ policies and given the opportunity to
discuss the different policies and procedures.
5
Offer of Accommodation:
a. The receiving borough will make one offer of housing and will contact the
applicant or the host/referring borough with the viewing details.
b. Applicants will then have 24 hours to make a decision following a property
viewing.
c. Should the applicants refuse the offer, they will need to provide reasons to
the host/referring borough, and it will be for the receiving borough to make
a decision whether they want to make another offer of housing.
d. Where more than one offer is made, the tenant will consider the offer
which was made first.
e. In certain circumstances it might be appropriate to waive the 28 day notice
period, by agreement of both organisations, in the interests of safety and
3
security of the tenant. This will be at the discretion of the nominating and
receiving Partners.
f.
Once the tenant has relinquished their tenancy the host/referring borough
will offer the receiving borough a property of equal size. Alternatively a
property can be banked for recall at a later date, to be taken up within a
year.
g. Where a Partner is unable to provide a suitable reciprocal property within
a reasonable period, they are expected to offer an alternative (i.e. 2 x 2
bed properties in return for a 4 bed property); the decision of whether to
accept such an offer would be at the discretion of the Partner owed the
property.
h. Where Partners are consistently receiving more households than they are
moving they can temporarily opt out until the balance is redressed. The
suggested guide figure is 20% more households than other Partners.
6
Provision of support:
a. The Partners recognise that households that need to move may need
additional support and will work together with specialist agencies. Partners
will make referrals to other agencies where the tenant agrees that they
should do so, with the aim of delivering a holistic response to the
households needs.
b. We recognise that each case, and each set of circumstances, is unique
and that each will require an individual client-centred response.
c. We recognise that children and vulnerable people might live in violent and
abusive households and may be at risk as a result. Their safety and
security is paramount and if there are any doubts a referral must be made
to Social Services or the Police Child Protection Unit or a MARAC referral.
7
Monitoring & Evaluation Arrangements:
a. The NLHP Homelessness & Overcrowding Coordinator will monitor this
Agreement and is to be notified of the outcome of applications.
b. The signatories will discuss the working of the Agreement and any
amendments required as a standard agenda item at the 6-weekly sub
regional Housing Needs Group meeting.
c. Requests by other social landlords to sign up to the Agreement will be
dependent on the agreement of the participating Partners.
d. The sub regional Housing Needs Group meeting will monitor and evaluate
the Reciprocal Agreement. The Agreement will be reviewed annually. In
the unlikely event of a dispute, the disputed case will be discussed at the
Housing Needs Group meeting.
4
NLHP named reciprocal arrangement Partners:
8
Local authorities:
 London Borough of Barnet

London Borough of Camden

London Borough of Enfield

London Borough of Haringey

London Borough of Islington

Westminster City Council
5
Borough Contacts: To discuss a DV Reciprocal, please contact the named leads below in respective north London boroughs: please email
[email protected] (NL Homelessness Coordinator) in case of any changes in staff/contacts
Borough
Contact Name
Job Title
Email
type
BARNET
Lead
Radlamah
Domestic Violence Sanctuary
[email protected]
Canakiah
Scheme Co-ord
CAMDEN
ENFIELD
HARINGEY
ISLINGTON
WESTMINSTER
North London
Housing
Partnership
Telephone No.
020 8359 6072/
07985 767 304
Reserve
Nadia Singh
Housing Needs Manager
[email protected]
0208 359 4852/
07944 298 027
Lead
Julie Newsam
Allocations Service Manager
[email protected]
020 7974 5515
Reserve
Joe Bianchi
Allocations Team Manager
[email protected]
020 7974 3042
Lead
Neil Harris
Head of Housing Options &
Advice
[email protected]
020 8379 4348
Reserve
John Perowne
Housing Options & Advice Team
Manager
[email protected]
020 8379 4399
Lead
Vicky Pinkett
Housing Advice & Options
Team Leader
[email protected]
0208 489 4778
Reserve
Beverley Faulkner
[email protected]
020 8489 4362
Lead
Susan Haire
Housing Assessments & Lettings
Manager
Mobility Manager
[email protected]
020 7527 4372
Reserve
Margaret Gates
Housing Solutions Manager
[email protected]
020 7527 6331
Lead
Tracy Gain
[email protected]
0207 641 4852
Reserve
Helena
Stephenson
Housing Needs Commissioning
Officer
Housing Needs Commissioning
Manager
[email protected]
0207 641 3491
Lead
Miranda Griffith
[email protected]
Reserve
Lesley Mallett
NL Homelessness &
Overcrowding Coordinator
NL Sub-Regional Co-ordinator
020 7974 5942/
07825 928 508
020 8359 7015/
07956 66685
[email protected]
6
APPENDIX 1
North London Domestic Violence
Reciprocal Agreement:
URGENT PROPERTY REQUEST FORM
ALL FIELDS MUST BE COMPLETED:
Date:
Nominating
LA
For Attention of
NLHP Reciprocal Partners
Section 1 – Applicant’s details:
Nominee Name
Current Tenancy
Address
(including postcode)
Borough of
Residence
Size, Floor and Type
of Current Property
Tenancy Type
For more information contact the nominating officer, details on page 3. Do not contact the nominee directly.
Household Details:
Surname
First Name
D.O.B
Gender
Relationship to Applicant
1
Applicant
2
3
4
5
6
Pregnant EDC
Ethnic Origin of Applicant (CORE Q5)
White
English
Mixed
White & Black
Caribbean
Asian or Asian
British
Indian
Black or Black
British
Caribbean
Chinese or other
ethnic groups
Chinese
7
NLHP Reciprocal Agreement/Urgent Property Request & Nominations Form August 2013
APPENDIX 1
Irish
White & Black African
Pakistani
African
Other
Scottish
White & Asian
Bangladeshi
Other
Gypsy/Roma/
Irish Traveller
Other
Other
Other
Client declined to provide information
Section 2 - Risk and support needs:
Risk
Risk to other individuals
Risk to Applicant
Risk to Organisations
Not aware of any risk
Potential risk – further
investigation advised




Provide summary details below
Risk to other individuals - from potentially violent or dangerous applicant/member of applicant household –
including if the applicant or member of the applicant family committed a violent crime in the past.
Risk to applicant or child – (mental, emotional, physical, sexual, financial) of harm or abuse from another
person/s, of unfair treatment because of their circumstances for example, self-harm or abuse, disability or
blind and therefore needs specialist services.
Risk to organisations - cost of tenancy failure, arrears, damage to property, higher void rates, dealing with
anti-social behaviour; risk to reputation through poor publicity, previous eviction.
ASBO
Challenging behaviour
Committed sexual assault or exposure
Communication Needs (for example English as second language, sight or
hearing difficulties)
Danger to children
Drug Intervention Programme
Employment support or training
Enhanced CPA
Furniture or grant required
MAPPA case
Medical Assessment for example; need for aid or adaptation to
property or ground floor. Please include any assessment
information such as date of assessment and by whom
Parenting order
Probation or Youth Offending order
Risk of Self harm
Sex Worker
Tenancy Sustainment: previous eviction for arrears
Tenancy Sustainment: previous eviction for ASB
Traveller
Vulnerability: At risk of domestic violence
Where does the perpetrator of domestic violence reside (last
known address)
Section 3: Reciprocal Property Request Details:
8
NLHP Reciprocal Agreement/Urgent Property Request & Nominations Form August 2013
APPENDIX 1
Nominating borough
Nominating Officer
Date
Officer Contact Details
(email and telephone)
Details of Property Requested
Number of bedrooms needed
Details of any mobility issues
Maximum floor/lift requirements
Any medical conditions that need
to be taken into to consideration
(and may have a bearing on the
type of property offered)
List family pets
(is the applicant prepared to
rehome their pets if property is
offered but no pets allowed)
Rent Account History
CAADA risk assessment
completed?
Preferred areas of choice within
borough (although not
guaranteed)
Areas that are unsafe for the
applicant
Other information
Nominating Organisation Next Steps





Complete the form with as much detail as possible
Send the form to partners on the Reciprocal Contact list
Put ‘NLHP Reciprocal Urgent Property Request’ in the email subject line
Cc to Miranda Griffith for monitoring
It is the applicant organisations responsibility to follow up the request with partners and to inform NLHP
Homelessness Coordinator of the Outcome on completion, by returning the form with the Outcome section
completed to the Coordinator
Section 4 – Reciprocal Outcome:
At the end of the process, whether or not a move was achieved; return the whole form with this section
completed to Miranda Griffith for monitoring
Successful or unsuccessful
Housed by (local authority)
9
NLHP Reciprocal Agreement/Urgent Property Request & Nominations Form August 2013
APPENDIX 1
Borough
Was this the borough requested?
Type of property accepted
If not successful please give reasons (for example was an
offer made but rejected)
Comments:
Section 5: Background information:

NLHP Local Authority Partners – Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey, Islington, Westminster

Property Address, Type and size – Property full address, including postcode, Property Type - House /Flat /
Maisonette/Bungalow – Number of bedrooms and number of bed spaces. If a flat which floor is it on.

CORE – Throughout the form there is a reference to CORE; in each of these parts the information will relate
to the relevant question contained within the standard CORE return.

Risks and support needs – You are asked to complete a risk assessment under three categories: individual;
applicant; organisation. For cases of domestic violence it is also necessary to complete the CAADA risk
assessment
For any enquires regarding the Reciprocal Agreement process, forms or monitoring contact:
Miranda Griffith
North London Housing Partnership
[email protected]
020 7974 5942/ 07825 928 508
10
NLHP Reciprocal Agreement/Urgent Property Request & Nominations Form August 2013
APPENDIX 2
North London Domestic Violence Reciprocal Agreement:
OPERATIONS PATHWAY GUIDELINES
Below is a brief guide to assist officers through the process of making or responding to an
Urgent Property Request. Full details are in the North London Domestic Violence Reciprocal
Agreement document, and you are advised to read the full document before proceeding.
STEP: ACTION:
A local authority identifies a tenant who needs to move home and meets the
1
basic criteria for the North London Domestic Violence Reciprocal Agreement:
i.e. a social housing tenant in one of the North London sub regions boroughs
who wants to move within the sub region.
2
OR a charity or voluntary sector partner identifies a client who is a local
authority social housing tenant in North London who is fleeing domestic
violence and wants to move within the sub region. The charity or voluntary
sector partner informs the client of the option and advises the client to talk to
their landlord about the option or assists the client to approach their housing
provider, advising them of any special needs or considerations.
3
The local authority attempts first to meet the needs of the tenant from within
their own stock if safe to do so. Where this is unsuccessful, the officer provides
the tenant with information about the North London Domestic Violence
Reciprocal Agreement, and the extent and limitations of the option.
4
It has been agreed by partners that where the tenant of a North London local
authority presents as homeless to a local authority in the sub region, they will
be asked if a reciprocal has been discussed with them or has been attempted.
5
Once it is established that the client is suitable for the reciprocal agreement, the
housing provider completes the Urgent Property Request (UPR) form with the
tenant along with the CAADA-DASH Risk Assessment, with as much detail as
possible and liaises with any support providers to complete the risk assessment
within the form.
6
To preserve confidentiality the CAADA-DASH Risk Assessment is not sent out
with the UPR form, but separately when an offer of accommodation is made.
7
The housing provider, who is the nominating partner, circulates the UPR form
to lead and reserve contacts in the DV Reciprocal contact list of the NL
borough/s to where it the client has requested to move, heading the email
‘NLHP Urgent Reciprocal Agreement Request’. A brief description of the
request is written in the email, for example, ‘Request for 2 bedroom property in
Barnet or Enfield. Must have lift if over 3rd floor. Tenant escaping domestic
violence in Camden, risk assessment available. Contact housing officer for
further details’. Full contact details of the named housing officer are required.
8
Where a Reciprocal Property Request is made, the receiving partner will
acknowledge receipt of the request within 3 working days.
9
A decision on whether the receiving partner will accept the reciprocal move will
11
APPENDIX 2
be confirmed to the requesting borough within 5 working days
10
Once a potential offer is made, further information including the risk
assessment is made available to the partner making the offer. The tenant is
informed of any differences between the policies of the receiving borough or if
there is a different type of tenancy and any implications.
11
Viewing of the property is arranged. The tenant has 24 hours to make a
decision after viewing.
12
If the property is not accepted, details of why the property was refused need to
be noted in the monitoring form. The nominating partner can then follow up any
further offers made.
13
If the property is accepted arrangements are made for the tenant to move and
to relinquish their current tenancy. If supporting agencies are involved liaison
takes place to ensure that support is available in the area where the tenant is
moving to.
14
Once the move has taken place the nominating partner owes the receiving
partner a property of equal size, although partners have agreed some flexibility
on this and have based the agreement on number of bedrooms owed. The
receiving partner can take up the reciprocal using the vacated property or can
bank a property to call in at a later date. The nominating partner will need to
make a suitable property available to the receiving partner as soon as possible.
15
Once the move has taken place the nominating partner completes the
‘Reciprocal Outcome’ monitoring section (4) in the ‘Urgent Property Request
Form’ and sends the completed form to the NL Homelessness Coordinator for
monitoring and evaluation through the North London Sub Region Housing
Needs Group.
12