Copy and paste this sample text and personalise it with your client’s details.
Key:
text in chevrons < > is for you to edit as appropriate
text in square brackets [ ] is informational and can be deleted as you edit the letter
Subject: URGENT: <client’s first and last name> <client’s DOB> homeless application and temporary accommodation
To <name of homeless caseworker at the council>
<client’s first and last name> has contacted our organisation for assistance with their current homeless situation.
They are currently in temporary accommodation at <address of accommodation>.
The homeless household comprises: <say how many people are in the household and their relationship to your client>
<client’s first and last name> has parental rights and responsibilities of their <child/children>: <add their names and ages>
<client’s first and last name> has <select which applies: shared care/an access arrangement/an agreement for access and visitation>.
[provide as much detail as possible as to the nature of the agreement including frequency and whether this includes the children staying overnight. There does not need to be a court order formalising any access/residence]
[enclose any evidence of the arrangement if available, e.g. if there is a court order (although this is not necessary to request suitable accommodation) or a letter confirming the agreement]
The accommodation at <address> is not suitable for visitation by a child because <provide reasons, e.g. the nature of the accommodation>.
Please can you confirm that suitable temporary accommodation will now be provided from tonight onwards. If suitable accommodation is not available from tonight, please provide:
- the reasons why suitable accommodation is not available tonight
- information on what steps the local authority is taking to secure suitable accommodation
- an indication of the timescale for providing suitable accommodation
Please get back to either myself or <client’s first and last name>. If we do not hear from you, or there is no satisfactory information regarding what steps the local authority is taking and the timescales for suitable accommodation being provided, I will advise <client’s first and last name> to seek further advice on their rights which might include legal advice from a solicitor.
Thank you.
<your first and last name>
<your contact number>
Client:
<client’s first and last name>
<client’s contact number>
You can also send the letter as an email attachment:
Word template: Accommodation unsuitable for visitation by non-resident children letter (docx, 25 kb)
OpenDocument template: Accommodation unsuitable for visitation by non-resident children letter (odt, 11 kb)
Where to send your letter or email
Send your letter or email to your client's homeless caseworker at a council in Scotland.
Find contact information for any council’s homeless department