Temporary accommodation notification duty: information to accompany the homelessness code of guidance
Published 1 September 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/temporary-accommodation-notification-duty/temporary-accommodation-notification-duty-information-to-accompany-the-homelessness-code-of-guidance
This information is to be read alongside the Homelessness code of guidance for local authorities,
Objective of the temporary accommodation notification duty and why it is needed
There are record numbers of children in temporary accommodation and the government is determined to address this. We know that living in temporary accommodation can have a detrimental impact on a child’s health, wellbeing and education outcomes.
As of this duty coming into effect, the number of children in temporary accommodation is at a record high – see the government’s homelessness statistics.
The intention of the temporary accommodation notification duty is to strengthen information sharing so that educational institutions and health providers are aware where children may require additional or different support and can seek to improve their outcomes.
New burdens funding to local housing authorities
As this measure introduces a new duty on local housing authorities, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has allocated new burdens funding.
For 2026 to 2027, new burdens funding will be provided in Q3 of the 2026 to 2027 financial year, alongside funding for the measure to disapply intentional homelessness for care leavers (also introduced through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026).
For 2027 to 2028 and 2028 to 2029, funding details will be confirmed in due course.
Engagement and information on the duty
The Shared Health Foundation has published best practice guidance and accompanying videos for local housing authorities, educational establishments, GP practices and health visiting services.
MHCLG will provide training on best practice for local authorities.
Guidance to schools, GP practices and health visiting services
The Department for Education has updated its Keeping children safe in education guidance to inform schools of this measure and actions they could take as a result of receiving a notification.
The Department for Health and Social Care has also developed guidance to inform GP practices and health visiting services of this measure and action they could take as a result of receiving a notification.
MHCLG has updated its Homelessness code of guidance for local authorities to provide information on the duty to local housing authorities.
The Shared Health Foundation has created best practice guidance across housing, health and education, as part of its SAFE Protocol campaign.
Additional notifications
As the Homelessness code of guidance for local authorities sets out, the duty only a arises once within each application, at the point of initial placement. However, when developing local procedures, housing authorities may consider opportunities to provide additional notifications (with agreement) to support continuity of health and educational support.
This could include notifying relevant bodies, where children are placed in temporary accommodation in a different area after the initial placement.
As the first health and development review is during the antenatal period, housing authorities may consider seeking agreement to notify health visiting services when a household without children that includes a pregnant woman is placed into temporary accommodation, although there is no statutory requirement to do so.
How health visitors support infants, including safe sleep
Qualified health visitors and their teams have an important role in supporting infant health, wellbeing, and parenting confidence. All families with children aged under 5 and pregnant people should have a named health visitor that they see in their home, including in temporary accommodation, and in clinics (as appropriate)
Health visiting teams support families across all areas of health and development, including managing the transition to parenthood, making choices around infant feeding, maintaining good mental health, improving health literacy, managing minor illnesses and preventing accidents. They promote safe sleeping for babies and provide safety advice to parents.
In February 2026, the Department of Health and Social Care refreshed the The Healthy Child Programme guidance to strengthen service quality and promote consistent service delivery, so all families get the help they need.
Data protection
For the purposes of UK data protection legislation, housing authorities, educational institutions and health services are considered independent data controllers for any personal data they process to undertake a temporary accommodation notification. This means they each have responsibility for complying with the UK General Data Protection Regulation when processing personal data relating to a child who has been placed in temporary accommodation.
Housing authorities should apply their existing data protection measures and policies to this duty and seek independent data protection advice where necessary. Guidance on the data protection obligations placed on organisations can be found on the Information Commissioner’s Office website.