Fast turnaround times
We offer prompt deployment and rapid reporting to support timely duty assessments and decision-making.
Providing accurate, ethical verification for local authorities
When an individual presents to a local authority and reports that they are rough sleeping, it is essential to confirm their circumstances quickly, safely, and sensitively.
Our Rough Sleeper Verification Service provides an independent, robust method to verify whether someone is genuinely sleeping rough — helping councils prioritise support for those who need it most and prevent misuse of homelessness services.
Our recommendation is that this service is provided out of hours to ensure a true verification status.
What we do
Independent rough sleeping verification
When a rough sleeper reports their situation to the council, Serveco deploys trained verification officers to attempt to locate the individual at the places, times, or general areas they claim to be sleeping. Our officers conduct checks discreetly, professionally, and without confrontation. Where immediate risks to health or safety are identified, our officers act under a clear duty of care, including contacting out-of-hours teams or emergency services if required.
Multiple attempt verification
We conduct a series of verification attempts (as agreed with the local authority) at varied times — usually early morning and late evening — when rough sleeping can be safely and realistically identified.
Evidence-based reporting
Each verification includes:
- Date, time, and location of visit
- Observations made
- Whether the individual was found sleeping rough
- Photographic or written evidence (in line with local authority requirements and GDPR)
- Summary recommendation
Fraud prevention & housing list integrity
Our service helps confirm genuine need while reducing cases where individuals attempt to present as rough sleepers to accelerate housing applications or access services inappropriately.
How our service supports local authorities
Consistent & compliant approach
Our verification officers follow strict protocols aligned with local authority guidance, safeguarding expectations, and GDPR. This includes a duty-of-care led escalation pathway, ensuring concerns can be passed to medical or emergency services when someone is at immediate risk.
Experienced frontline professionals
Our team has extensive experience in homelessness, street outreach, supported accommodation, and community safety — ensuring each verification is handled with sensitivity and professionalism.
Fairness & transparency
By providing an independent verification service, local authorities can demonstrate fairness, consistency, and due diligence in their homelessness assessments.
We support:
- Homelessness & Housing Options teams
- Rough Sleeping & Outreach services
- Community Safety units
- Emergency accommodation decision-making teams
- Local authorities seeking additional verification capacity
- Referral Received
The council sends us the individual’s reported locations and any details needed to support verification. - Verification Attempts Conducted
Our officers attend the location(s) at appropriate times, usually early morning or late evening. - Detailed Report Issued
A professional verification report is sent to the commissioning team, clearly stating the findings. - Follow-Up Support Available
Additional attempts or clarifications can be requested where needed.
