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Supporting homeless migrants

Learn how to support homeless migrants and refugees, with training for housing and homelessness staff, and voluntary and community groups.

Free elearning available now

Get an introduction to the basics or develop your understanding of the tricky bits. Each course takes 10 to 60 minutes to complete, so you can learn at a pace that suits you.

This training is produced in partnership by Shelter and Praxis. Funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Find out how our work is funded.

Who can access free elearning?

You can access most of our elearning for free if you work for an eligible organisation. If you don't qualify, you can still access our paid courses.

Find out if you qualify for free training

Training for housing and homelessness staff

This learning pathway is aimed at housing and homelessness staff. You might work for a local authority housing options team, commissioned outreach team, or in the advice sector. You'll need some prior knowledge for most of these courses.

Online elearning and webinars, available free to eligible organisations only.

Funded by the UK Government's Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

EU migrants' rights: pre-settled status (Part 1)

EU migrants' rights: pre-settled status (Part 1)

Part one of a four part course.

Learn about the homelessness eligibility rules for EU citizens with pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

What this session covers

This recorded session includes:

  • how the rights of EU citizens have changed

  • what is pre-settled status

  • if a person can lose pre-settled status

Who this session is for

You'll need some prior knowledge for this course.

This session is suitable for housing and homelessness staff.

Length: 25 - 30 minutes

Level: Fundamental (Level 2)

Topic: Immigration status and eligibility

Join now

EU migrants' rights: pre-settled status (Part 2)

EU migrants' rights: pre-settled status (Part 2)

Part two of a four part course.

Learn about the homelessness eligibility rules for EU citizens with pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

What this session covers

This recorded session includes:

  • how pre-settled status affects eligibility for homelessness assistance

  • how a person can establish eligibility for homelessness assistance

Who this session is for

You'll need some prior knowledge for this course.

This session is suitable for housing and homelessness staff.

Length: 25 - 30 minutes

Level: Fundamental (Level 2)

Topic: Immigration status and eligibility

Join now

EU migrants' rights: pre-settled status (Part 3)

EU migrants' rights: pre-settled status (Part 3)

Part three of a four part course.

Learn about the homelessness eligibility rules for EU citizens with pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

What this session covers

This recorded session includes:

  • who has a right to reside as a worker

  • who has a right to reside as a self-employed person

  • the minimum earnings threshold

Who this session is for

You'll need some prior knowledge for this course.

This session is suitable for housing and homelessness staff.

Length: 25 - 30 minutes

Level: Fundamental (Level 2)

Topic: Immigration status and eligibility

Join now

EU migrants' rights: pre-settled status (Part 4)

EU migrants' rights: pre-settled status (Part 4)

Part four of a four part course.

Learn about the homelessness eligibility rules for EU citizens with pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

What this session covers

This recorded session includes:

  • who can retain worker or self-employed status

  • considering the effect of EU law

Who this session is for

You'll need some prior knowledge for this course.

This session is suitable for housing and homelessness staff.

Length: 25 - 30 minutes

Level: Fundamental (Level 2)

Topic: Immigration status and eligibility

Join now

EU migrants' rights: settled status

EU migrants' rights: settled status

Learn about the homelessness eligibility rules for EU citizens with settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

What this session covers

This recorded session includes:

  • how the rights of EU citizens have changed

  • what is settled status

  • evidence of settled status

  • eligibility for homelessness assistance

Who this session is for

You'll need some prior knowledge for this course.

This session is suitable for housing and homelessness staff.

Level: Fundamental (level 2)

Topic: Immigration status and eligibility

Join now

Habitual residence

Habitual residence

Get an overview of the habitual residence test, including how to check if a person is habitually resident.

What this session covers

This recorded session includes:

  • what is the habitual residence test

  • how to check if someone is habitually resident

  • which groups of people are subject to the habitual residence test

Who this session is for

You'll need some prior knowledge for this course.

This session is suitable for housing and homelessness staff.

Level: Fundamental (Level 2)

Topic: Immigration status and eligibility

Join now

Identifying immigration status

Identifying immigration status

Get an overview of how to establish a person's eligibility for services, including how to check immigration status and understand the term subject to immigration control.

What this session covers

This recorded session includes:

  • how to check a person's immigration status

  • a definition of the term subject to immigration control

  • the purpose of the eVisa system

  • an explanation of the term '3c leave'

Who this session is for

You'll need some prior knowledge for this course.

This session is suitable for housing and homelessness staff.

Level: Fundamental (Level 2)

Topic: Immigration status and eligibility

Join now

This course has been written by Praxis. Praxis is an award-winning human rights charity fighting for migrant rights since 1983. They give advice, provide support, and campaign so that migrants and refugees in the UK can live with safety, dignity and respect.

The material contained within this course is subject to copyright.

© Copyright Praxis Community Projects, all rights reserved.

Praxis are IAA registered.

Navigating the UK welfare benefits system

Navigating the UK welfare benefits system

Get an overview of the welfare benefits system in the UK with this three module series.

What these sessions cover

These recorded sessions include an introduction to:

  • welfare benefits

  • working age benefits, including universal credit

  • pension age benefits, including pension credit

Who these sessions are for

You don’t need any prior knowledge for these sessions.

These sessions are suitable for housing and homelessness staff. They are also suitable for volunteers or staff at voluntary or community organisations.

Length: 10 minutes per session

Level: Entry (Level 1)

Topic: Welfare and financial support

Part 1: Introduction to welfare benefits: Join now

Part 2: Working age benefits: Join now

Part 3: Pension age benefits: Join now

No recourse to public funds

No recourse to public funds

Get an overview of no recourse to public funds, including what it is, who is affects, and its impact.

What this session covers

This recorded session includes:

  • how the term 'no recourse to public funds' is used

  • when people have restricted eligibility for statutory support

  • the impact of 'no recourse to public funds' restrictions on housing and homelessness

Who this session is for

You don’t need any prior knowledge for this session.

This session is suitable for housing and homelessness staff. It is also suitable for volunteers or staff at voluntary or community organisations.

Length: 25 - 30 minutes

Level: Entry (Level 1)

Topic: Immigration status and eligibility

Join now

This course has been written by Praxis. Praxis is an award-winning human rights charity fighting for migrant rights since 1983. They give advice, provide support, and campaign so that migrants and refugees in the UK can live with safety, dignity and respect.

The material contained within this course is subject to copyright.

© Copyright Praxis Community Projects, all rights reserved.

Praxis are IAA registered.

Supporting people ineligible for housing assistance

Supporting people ineligible for housing assistance

Get an overview of support options available to people who are ineligible for housing and homelessness assistance in the UK.

What this session covers

This recorded session includes:

  • the legal framework

  • local authority duties

  • social care support, including the Care Act 2014 and Children Act 1989

  • Home Office support for asylum seekers

  • support for victims of abuse and trafficking

  • human rights considerations

  • when a person needs specialist advice

Who this session is for

You don’t need any prior knowledge for this session.

This session is suitable for housing and homelessness staff. It is also suitable for volunteers or staff at voluntary or community organisations.

Length: 25 - 30 minutes

Level: Entry (Level 1)

Topic: Immigration status and eligibility

Join now

Understanding immigration status in housing support

Understanding immigration status in housing support

Develop your understanding of immigration status and eligibility rules, and how to practically support homeless migrants.

This is a recording of a live workshop delivered by Shelter trainer Gerard Hunter and St Mungo's Head of Migrant Advice Services, Steph Ratcliffe.

What this session covers

This recorded session includes:

  • an overview of immigration status and how it affects housing eligibility

  • when a person is eligible for housing support

  • a presentation from St Mungo's on how to support rough sleepers

  • a Q&A session

Who this session is for

You don’t need any prior knowledge for this session.

This session is suitable for housing and homelessness staff.

Length: 3 hours

Level: Entry (Level 1)

Topic: Immigration status and eligibility

Join now

Understanding immigration status and eligibility for homelessness assistance

Understanding immigration status and eligibility for homelessness assistance

Get an overview of how a person's immigration status affects their eligibility for homelessness assistance.

What this session covers

This recorded session includes:

  • how immigration status affects eligibility for homelessness assistance

  • who is eligible for homelessness assistance

  • when a homeless applicant needs permission from the Home Office to be in the UK

  • who does not need permission from the Home Office to be in the UK

  • what lawful residence means

Who this session is for

You'll need some prior knowledge for this course.

This session is suitable for housing and homelessness staff.

Length: 15 minutes

Level: Fundamental (Level 2)

Topic: Immigration status and eligibility

Join now

Understanding right to rent

Understanding right to rent

Get an overview of right to rent, including right to rent checks and how to deal with discrimination.

What this session covers

This recorded session includes:

  • who has a right to rent

  • when a landlord must carry out a right to rent check

  • how right to rent checks are carried out

  • unlawful discrimination

Who this session is for

You don’t need any prior knowledge for this session.

This session is suitable for housing or homelessness staff.

Length: 20 - 25 minutes

Level: Entry (Level 1)

Topic: Housing rights and options

Join now

Training for voluntary and community organisations

This learning pathway is aimed at the voluntary and community sector, including night shelter and faith organisations. You might be a volunteer or paid staff. You don't need any prior knowledge for these courses.

Online elearning and webinars, available free to eligible organisations only.

Funded by the UK Government's Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Identifying immigration status

Identifying immigration status

Get an overview of how to establish a person's eligibility for services, including how to check immigration status and understand the term subject to immigration control.

What this session covers

This recorded session includes:

  • the effect of being 'subject to immigration control'

  • what having a right to abode means

  • the purpose of the eVisa system

  • an explanation of the term '3c leave'

Who this session is for

You don’t need any prior knowledge for this session.

This session is suitable for volunteers or staff at voluntary or community organisations.

Length: 25 - 30 minutes

Level: Entry (Level 1)

Topic: Immigration status and eligibility

Join now

This course has been written by Praxis. Praxis is an award-winning human rights charity fighting for migrant rights since 1983. They give advice, provide support, and campaign so that migrants and refugees in the UK can live with safety, dignity and respect.

The material contained within this course is subject to copyright.

© Copyright Praxis Community Projects, all rights reserved.

Praxis are IAA registered.

Introduction to the habitual residence test

An introduction to the habitual residence test

Get an overview of the habitual residence test and how it applies to housing and homelessness services in England.

What this session covers

This recorded session includes:

  • what is the habitual residence test

  • how a local authority applies the habitual residence test

  • an explanation of key terms and concepts

  • special considerations and when the habitual residence test does not apply

  • the habitual residence test for housing and benefits

Who this session is for

You don’t need any prior knowledge for this session.

This session is suitable for volunteers or staff at voluntary or community organisations.

Length: 15 - 20 minutes

Level: Entry (Level 1)

Topic: Immigration status and eligibility

Join now

Key terminology and the Homelessness Code of Guidance

Key terminology and the Homelessness Code of Guidance

Get an overview of the core terminology used in immigration, housing, welfare, safeguarding, and advocacy work.

What this session covers

This recorded session includes:

  • the key terms and language used in advice and advocacy work

  • explanations of housing and migrant rights

  • an overview of the Homelessness Code of Guidance

Who this session is for

You don’t need any prior knowledge for this session.

This session is suitable for people volunteering or working for voluntary or community organisations.

Length: 20 - 25 minutes

Level: Entry (Level 1)

Topic: Immigration status and eligibility

Join now

Navigating the UK welfare benefits system

Navigating the UK welfare benefits system

Get an overview of the welfare benefits system in the UK with this three module series.

What these sessions cover

These recorded sessions include an introduction to:

  • welfare benefits

  • working age benefits, including universal credit

  • pension age benefits, including pension credit

Who these sessions are for

You don’t need any prior knowledge for these sessions.

These sessions are suitable for housing and homelessness staff. They are also suitable for volunteers or staff at voluntary or community organisations.

Length: 10 minutes per session

Level: Entry (Level 1)

Topic: Welfare and financial support

Part 1: Introduction to welfare benefits: Join now

Part 2: Working age benefits: Join now

Part 3: Pension age benefits: Join now

No recourse to public funds

No recourse to public funds

Get an overview of no recourse to public funds, including what it is, who is affects, and its impact.

What this session covers

This recorded session includes:

  • how the term 'no recourse to public funds' is used

  • when people have restricted eligibility for statutory support

  • the impact of 'no recourse to public funds' restrictions on housing and homelessness

Who this session is for

You don’t need any prior knowledge for this session.

This session is suitable for housing and homelessness staff. It is also suitable for volunteers or staff at voluntary or community organisations.

Length: 25 - 30 minutes

Level: Entry (Level 1)

Topic: Immigration status and eligibility

Join now

This course has been written by Praxis. Praxis is an award-winning human rights charity fighting for migrant rights since 1983. They give advice, provide support, and campaign so that migrants and refugees in the UK can live with safety, dignity and respect.

The material contained within this course is subject to copyright.

© Copyright Praxis Community Projects, all rights reserved.

Praxis are IAA registered.

Supporting people ineligible for housing assistance

Supporting people ineligible for housing assistance

Get an overview of support options available to people who are ineligible for housing and homelessness assistance in the UK.

What this session covers

This recorded session includes:

  • the legal framework

  • local authority duties

  • social care support, including the Care Act 2014 and Children Act 1989

  • Home Office support for asylum seekers

  • support for victims of abuse and trafficking

  • human rights considerations

  • when a person needs specialist advice

Who this session is for

You don’t need any prior knowledge for this session.

This session is suitable for housing and homelessness staff. It is also suitable for volunteers or staff at voluntary or community organisations.

Length: 25 - 30 minutes

Level: Entry (Level 1)

Topic: Immigration status and eligibility

Join now

Understanding right to rent

Understanding right to rent

Get an overview of right to rent, including right to rent checks.

What this session covers

This recorded session includes:

  • who has a right to rent

  • when a landlord must carry out a right to rent check

  • how right to rent checks are carried out

Who this session is for

You don’t need any prior knowledge for this session.

This session is suitable for volunteers or staff at voluntary or community organisations.

Length: 15 minutes

Level: Entry (Level 1)

Topic: Housing rights and options

Join now

Live events

We run live events exploring how to support migrants facing housing problems and homelessness.

Find an upcoming event.

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