When a person with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) is being accommodated on an emergency basis, for example through SWEP, a move-on plan should be developed as early as possible.
This should include an assessment of the person's circumstances and consideration of any accommodation or support options that may be available.
Before emergency accommodation is ended, the person should be supported to access any alternative accommodation that may be available. This includes considering whether the local authority has any duties or powers to meet the person's housing needs and whether referrals should be made to:
See our webpages on social care support for adults with NRPF and social care support for families with NRPF.
Other sources of accommodation or support may include:
Services will need to establish a person's immigration status so that any support options and move-on pathways can be identified correctly. Councils can subscribe to the RTPF checker service or use NRPF Connect to help establish a person's immigration status.
People may also need to be referred for immigration advice. For example, a person who does not have lawful immigration status may need advice about what options are available to them.
If a person does not have any remaining immigration options, or wishes to return to their country of origin, they may be able to access support through the Home Office Voluntary Returns Service.
Page updated: 10 July 2026
