Review of Homelessness Indicator and referral for a wellbeing assessment 110-06090050

Services Australia has a zero tolerance approach to child abuse.

A staff member must act when they see or hear behaviour which raises concern about a child or young person’s safety. Follow the agency's Risk Identification and Reporting model when identifying and responding to child safety concerns. See Risk identification and management of threats to the safety or welfare of a child.

A Service Officer needs to undertake a file assessment and either:

• update the Homelessness Indicator as the customer is no longer homeless or at risk of homelessness
• extend the Homelessness Indicator
• refer the customer to a social worker if the customer is at risk

Service Officers need to conduct a file assessment to identify customers who no longer need the Homelessness Indicator due to:

• not having received an Income Support Payment (ISP) for three months or more
• getting Rent Assistance for at least 3 months, or providing a lease agreement
• residing in government housing/community housing
• long term imprisonment, for example, more than 3 months
• securing stable accommodation
• entering Residential Aged Care or awaiting a placement for aged care

If there is no evidence of any change in the customer's circumstances since the Homelessness Indicator was coded, consider other assistance:

• community support services
• Workforce Australia Employment Services Provider for eligible job seekers, or
• referral for a wellbeing assessment to a social worker

Factors to consider when referring a customer to a social worker for a wellbeing assessment could include:

• customers experiencing family and domestic violence
• unsupported young people, especially those who are living out of home, have left state care or youth justice, or are under 16 years of age
• customers presenting with significant mental health issues

To refer a customer to a social worker, use the Social Worker referral guided procedure

For customers at risk of harm, see Customers talking about suicide or self-harm.