Family consultation (mediation)

What is family consultation?

Family consultation is very different from counselling.

You and your family or the people you live with may need to talk about differences you have with living together and any housing problems you may have.

Being made homeless from parents, relatives or friends accounts for the majority of housing applications. Woking Borough Council recognises that for some housing applicants it is not possible to remain at home due to fear, violence or abuse.

However, for many others, the security provided by living with family, relatives or friends will enable them to plan their future accommodation needs often with the help of the Housing Options team.

Family consultation is part of the Council's assessment of your homelessness. The Family Consultation Service reports back to the Housing Options team on the outcome of the consultation.

It is clear that in Woking, many people have a genuine problem in finding somewhere suitable to live. Such difficulties often lead to frustration and disputes or arguments.

The purpose of family consultation is to prevent homelessness, wherever possible. Personal information gained through consultation will remain confidential unless you ask for it to be disclosed to the Housing Options team.

The consultants will not tell you what you ought to do but they will work with you and your family or the people you live with, to help you all to find a way to move forward. The consultants will not take sides. What you say in consultation is confidential unless there is serious concern about the safety of anyone involved. In this case, the consultants will pass information onto Social Services in consultation with you.

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What happens in a family consultation appointment?

Your first meeting with the consultant will allow you to find out about family consultation and help you decide whether or not this is the way for you to resolve the practical difficulties between you. Normally you would come to this appointment with your family or the people you live with.

If you have any concerns about being in a meeting with your family or the people you live with, please mention these to the consultant at your first appointment. We will be happy to arrange separate waiting rooms and leaving times.

There is no charge to you for using this service.

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Contact Us

If you have any questions about your application, please contact the Housing Options team on 01483 743834 or email: housingoptions@woking.gov.uk