Referrals and Allocation
This is the procedure which should apply when the client or a representative working on behalf of the client, initially requests accommodation at The Ashley Foundation’s main office, either in person or in a telephone conversation.
Any prospective resident must be able to prove that they have a local connection to Blackpool which could include:
- Having lived in Blackpool for the last 6 out of 12 months.
- Having lived in Blackpool for the last 3 out of 5 years.
- Having close immediate family** already living in their own home in Blackpool as above.
If the prospective resident does not have a local connection then The Ashley Foundation is unable to accommodate them and we would offer them a list of alternative accommodation providers who do not work to local connection.
If There Are No Vacancies:
- If there are no vacancies at any of the three hostels, the person dealing with the enquiry will inform the client or his/her representative of the current situation.
- The client or his/her representative will be given a list of alternative accommodation for homeless persons in the Blackpool area.
- The client or his/her representative, will be informed by the person dealing with the enquiry that there may be vacancies at The Ashley Foundation in the near future, as current residents could vacate the hostels at anytime and we also resettle many of our residents. They will be told if they fail to find suitable alternative accommodation to keep coming into the main office on a daily basis in order to ask about any vacancies.
- It will be made clear to the client or his/her representative that as The Ashley Foundation is a direct access hostel and there is no waiting list or reservation of rooms. The Ashley Foundation works on a first come first served basis only.
If There Are Vacancies at any of the Hostels:
As much information as possible is required regarding a client’s background (ie: drugs, alcohol, mental health issues). This will enable us to place a client in the most appropriate hostel in order for them to address their problems.
- The client will be asked his/her full name
- The client will be asked his/her date of birth
- The client will be then asked where they have recently been staying (in case we need to make further enquiries as to why the client left his/her previous address or if there were any problems)
- The client will be asked whether they have ever stayed in a one of the Ashley Foundation’s Hostels in the past.
- If the client has stayed with the Ashley Foundation in the past, the person dealing with the enquiry will check to see why the client vacated the hostel. It could be that the client left of their own accord, returned back to the family home and so on, which is fine. However, if the client has been evicted from the hostel due to a serious incident. Such an incident may have involved violating the Code of Conduct, which would include violence or threatening behaviour, theft, possession of a dangerous weapon(s) or possession of alcohol or drugs on the premises.
- If the client has ever been evicted from one of the hostels and it was for one of the serious offences mentioned, then the client or his/her representative shall be informed that they will not be accepted back into The Ashley Foundation, for the safety of the staff and more importantly the other residents.
- The client or his/her representative will be given a list of alternative accommodation for homeless persons in the Blackpool area.
- If the client has never stayed with The Ashley Foundation, or the client has done so in the past and was not evicted and left on good terms, the person dealing with the enquiry will contact the Hostel Manager where the vacancy is and confirm that there is still a vacancy (as The Ashley Foundation is direct access, many homeless people make self-referrals to the Hostels, rather than coming into the main office first).
- If there is still a vacancy, the details of the client will be passed onto the Hostel Manager. If the Manager is satisfied with the background details, the client will be asked to go down to the Hostel right away.
- Once at the Hostel the Manager will have an informal chat with the client. It is the Manager’s decision whether the client is accepted into the Hostel or not.
- The Manager’s decision is final.
- The client will have no right of appeal against the Managers decision.
- The client will be expected to pay £21 top-up rent along with their Housing Benefit.
- The client also has to be working closely with their Support Officer on a short, medium and long term Support plan which will incorporate training, budgeting and life skills whilst working towards independent living.
If you would like to refer yourself or your client to The Ashley Foundation, please download and complete the Referral Form below. The form can then be faxed to us on 01253 626500 or posted to our main office: 81 Abingdon Street, Blackpool, FY1 1PP
