Referral process

The referral process begins with an initial enquiry, which can be made by a social worker, family member or the responsible authority. This will involve providing basic information about the child in need of accommodation.

Once the initial enquiry has been made, a referral form will be sent to the enquiring authority for completion. This form provides detailed information about the child's circumstances and reasons for referral, including their basic demographic details, current living circumstances, and any medical needs or emotional issues that need to be considered.

Once the referral form has been received, an assessment will be carried out by the children's home staff to determine whether the child meets the criteria for placement in the home. This assessment will take into account all relevant information provided on the referral form, as well as the suitability of the home environment for the child's needs.

Following the assessment, the children's home staff will make a recommendation as to whether the child is suitable for placement in the home. This recommendation will be communicated to the enquiring authority, who will make the final decision as to whether the placement is appropriate for the child.

If the decision is made to admit the child to the children's home, pre-admission checks will be carried out to ensure that all necessary arrangements have been made. This will include liaising with the child's social worker and any other relevant professionals to ensure that all necessary paperwork is complete and that any special needs or requirements are identified and addressed.

Once all pre-admission checks have been completed and the child has been approved for placement, arrangements will be made for their admission to the children's home. This will include making any necessary arrangements for transport, and ensuring that the child is welcomed and made to feel comfortable and safe in their new environment.