To wonder if social services become involved if you're made homeless?

Also employment (not of a casual nature) in the area will count as a local connection.

Local connection rules are different for homelessness assistance. You need to show you have lived in the area for either 6 out if the last 12 months or 3 out of the last 5 years. If you don't meet those criteria then they can still assess your situation but may refer you back to an area where you do meet the local connection criteria.

They make you jump through lots of hoops.

Unlikely the school will be aware. You may want to tell them about what is happening in case the children are upset or stressed about what is happening. As they will pick things up at home but not fully understand.

Really unusual not to be able to join a housing register unless threatened with homelessness. I would maybe check again?

If a family is previously unknown to SS - no, not in my Local Authority. Certain Housing Associations may refer to make SS aware but there would be no assessment of need unless other risks identified.

In my area the council run an interest free loan to cover deposits if you have no money.They can also provide you with temporary accomodation in b and bs however these are often a way away making it difficult with school etc.
You can put yourself now on the list for a housing association property but in my area its a 2-3 year wait even if high priority but go to your local council housing advice they will go through your options.
I feel for you I have moved nine times in twelve years due to landlords selling property!

We're just going through this, had a section 21 notice to leave the property, they have to give you 2 months legally! We have to be out end of May and we spoke to the council and have a meeting next week with a housing officer. We were told as we have a 4 year old that they have to put us somewhere, my dh works but doesn't drive and had unsociable hours so not being within walking distance would cost him his job, I have long term illness so can't work. The council said that it's all irrelevant as we have a child they have to house us but could be temporary (b&b) etc until something more permanent comes available and with a child we would be highest priority. There has been no mention of social services at all. Like you we have nowhere to go and very little money to pay privately again. I've also not long found out I'm expecting too. Worst timing ever

Social services have no ability to 'put pressure' on housing. Sometimes they write a supportive letter but it rarely gets listened too. Housing have their own criteria. Social services may be notified and may have a duty to assess under section 17 of children act but that does not mean it will become a child protection concern unless there are other concerns. Social workers will assess that you have done all you can to avoid situation and to secure housing and from what you are saying you have done all you can. There are too many people who believe that social services can provide housing. Good luck with your search.

Landlord will legally have to give you a section 21 notice to ask you to leave, minimum of 2 months. Your agent should confirm this. Go to the local citizens advice centre to get some advice, most have appointments or drop in times.

A council may not look at housing options with you unless you have actually been given notice to leave the property or there is another reason why you cannot remain. You should be able to join the housing register (waiting list for social housing) I would do that ASAP. They should give you basic advice over the phone. Depending on where you live in the country some areas have waiting lists years long whilst others may be much quicker, all councils prioritise people on their own criteria for allocations to properties. It can vary a lot.

If you do have to leave the property the council will try to prevent you from becoming homeless by working with you to secure another property. If that is possible then it is unlikely social services would be involved unless there are other concerns for your Childrens welfare.

As others have said if you are found intentionally homeless (done or failed to do something that has led to the loss of the accommodation) or if they offer a property to prevent you from becoming homeless which you turn down and you have nowhere else to go, they may have a duty to make social services aware of your circumstances as you have children. Social services may contact you to check your housing plans. If you really have nowhere to stay and the council have no duty to help, they may assess you or consider helping or they may offer help only for your children.

I would try to get some confirmation from your agent about your landlords plans, if looking like you will be asked to leave start getting advice and making plans. Be proactive and try to take control of the situation. Far better than just waiting for the council to come up with something, as may be the last thing you want to consider.

Sorry for massive post!

Good luck.

Shelter have lots of info on their site too. www.shelter.org.uk/

If SS get involved they won't be looking to whisk the kids away just because you as a family are homeless. They want to keep families together if at all possible, so it's probably just a flag up so as to check if there are other issues going on (like somebody said antisocial behaviour, or if you were spending all of the housing benefit on drugs or whatever). They're not going to take the DC if you are homeless through no fault of your own.

I know it's horrible to have them involved (I've had v brief involvement too) and really stressful but do try to remember they have to check up sometimes. It's not personal to you they just have to do their jobs.

Agree speak to Shelter, and speak to your MP. The council won't be able to do anything until/unless you are actually legally homeless, which might mean staying in the house after you've been evicted and waiting to be taken to court.

It's shitty - awful situation for any renters. It does cost a bomb to move every time and totally sinks any chance of being able to save for the future, as well. I bet you've paid more in agent's fees, deposits and rent upfront than it would have cost to put a deposit down for a mortgage. That should never be the case.

I think I understand what your asking.

You've had a child protection investigation in the past and want to avoid ever going through that again?

The answer is no. 'Just' being homeless will not trigger another child protection investigation.

Some councils administer their housing/homelessness and social services departments together at a senior management level but this doesn't mean social workers do assessments on every child that becomes homeless, especially not in the circumstances you are describing. (If you were being evicted for anti social behaviour it might be different)

Please try not to worry about the ss side of this.

I've known two people (both with kids) be made homeless recently, not though their own fault. One very similar to you and the other due to domestic violence. Both were housed quickly by the council so it does happen.

Also if the council did refer to SS it would only be for help/support, they wouldn't be removing your kids. A SW could put pressure on housing people to house you as a priority case.

Also the council may help with a deposit.

Round here the council run a "virtual deposit" scheme for those who haven't got a deposit. So they will contact the private landlord to see if the landlord will accept it. It means the council sort the deposit out and keep it in their own internal bank account deposit scheme. If when the people move out the landlord believe that they are owed money from the deposit then if it's all agreed the council pay the LL the money.

Presumably there is a deposit to be returned too.

Legally the ll's details are included on the lease agreement or have to be given to you within a certain period of the onset, 28 days iirc.

Sadly a lot of people are in your position op. There just aren't enough properties available