Tell us about someone sleeping rough
Find out how to let us know about someone who is sleeping rough so we can tell our local services about them
If you want to tell us about someone sleeping rough it will help if you can tell us:
- what clothes they are wearing
- any distinguishing features
- where you saw them
There is no need for you to directly approach them if you don't feel comfortable.
Report someone sleeping rough on Streetlink
If you want to report rough sleeping, or are sleeping rough yourself, StreetLink will be able to put you in contact with help in your area. Report as much information as possible. This includes a location, description of the person, the time the person was seen and any other important information to help the Rough Sleepers Initiative Team location and engage with the rough sleeper.
Report someone sleeping roughAfter you've reported them
StreetLink sends your details to the local authority or outreach service for the area, who will try to locate the rough sleeper, engage with them with a view to helping them into suitable accommodation and give support.
Who you should tell us about
Tell us about anyone you see sleeping rough. This can include:
- People you've seen sleeping rough for a long time
Some people may have a long history of rough sleeping, be known to local services and may need longer term support to help them leave the streets. This can include people who suffer with mental health problems or who cannot access services in the area in which they are sleeping rough.
You should still tell StreetLink if you are concerned about someone. Though it may take longer for you to notice anything changing, your report will make sure they are known to homeless services. - People drinking or begging
Some people who appear to be sleeping rough may be engaged in street activities, such as drinking or begging, but in fact have somewhere to stay.
It is always better to get in touch about someone you think may be rough sleeping, so that local services can give support if needed.
Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP)
Our SWEP team aims to prevent deaths on the streets in severe weather. They will provide a bed for anyone sleeping rough in Kirklees
SWEP has the potential to change a life - every person who is given a bed through SWEP is visited by a housing officer the next morning, to talk them through their options and discuss how they can get longer term help.
Some people just are not ready - if people are not ready to accept the help through SWEP our partners at the mission and the welcome centre both offer somewhere they can go and get warm and have a chat.
We allow pets wherever possible - although there are a small number of places we work with where pets can't go. In all cases, we take this into considering when we allocate emergency accommodation.
Contact SWEP
- Phone 01484 221350
- Out of hours emergency service (24 hours a day) Phone 01484 414933