What If It Doesn't Work Out?

Hosting is hard. No two ways about it. This is why we want all our hosts to think very carefully before agreeing to do it, as we set out in our Should I Host? page. We are here to do our best to provide you–hosts–with pastoral and practical support, and should you need it please don't hesitate to contact Jonathan (07799271913).

We do hope that, having jumped into this with eyes wide open, you will persevere through the challenges, some of which come from the fact that your guests have undergone great trauma and tragedy, some of which come from cultural differences (see our Interesting Cultural Differences page), some of which come from personality clashes, and so forth.

Now, if it really can't work—say, because your own health deteriorates, or your life circumstances change drastically; or if you and your guests discover that your accommodation is really quite unsuitable for the arrangement—re-matching is possible via the local authorities e.g., West Sussex County Council.

What will happen if you or your guest contact WSCC to say that it's not working out is that they will first assess the situation for urgency. If the situation is not urgent, they will strongly encourage you to stick with the arrangement until they find a new host. If they do deem the situation urgent—say, on health and safety, or safeguarding grounds—then WSCC will temporarily rehouse the guests: this is likely to be in a motel or bedsit, and may involve multiple relocations until a suitable new host is found. (For more information about the limitations on WSCC's ability to rehouse people, see What Happens After Six Months?)

WSCC is very interested in hearing from anyone who can serve as hosts for cases like these, as well as for the longer term (i.e., past six months): which is to say, they don't have a long list of potential hosts. They may even turn to groups like ours to suggest some.

If a new host presents themselves for any particular case, WSCC should be notified of this, as they will then be able to handle the re-matching process. Speaking of which, this is the process for re-matching:

Step 1. If, despite everyone's best efforts, it doesn't work out call the WSCC Community Hub (0330 222 7980). If there is already a potential new host in mind, please inform them of this at this stage.

Step 2. WSCC will assess the case for urgency. If the case is urgent, they will temporarily rehouse the guests (e.g., in motels). If it is not urgent, they are likely to encourage the arrangement to remain until a new host is found.

Step 3. WSCC will try to find a new host. The guests and original hosts may help with this effort: if they manage to find someone, they should contact WSCC immediately.

Step 4. WSCC will process the change in sponsor, which involves communicating with the national government. This is to ensure that other provisions—e.g., benefits—go to the right persons and places.