Referral and Placement Process

We welcome all enquiries and are happy to provide information regarding our services and support to anyone who gets in touch. We initially become aware of individuals who require support by speaking with the local commissioning teams or via referral portals. Family members or advocates also contact us directly. In this instance we will offer our brochure but also help them to speak with the relevant social worker or commissioning teams. Through this initial interaction, we are able to gather as much information as possible about the individual’s interests, skills, support needs and preferences . Most referrals for our learning disability and Mental Health Services come via Commissioning teams or by referral portals. We always endeavour to keep the Customer at the centre of the process by having a named Manager who will liaise with them and to arrange a visit to their preferred service as soon as possible.

In the next stage of our Referral and Placement Process, we begin to assess individual support needs and compatibility with our services and support. By reviewing an individual’s information and documentation further, we are able to explore all options, assess suitability and specifically match individual support needs, personal aspirations, and preferences to the most appropriate service(s).

Options are then fed back and if suitability is agreed by all involved, we will arrange and complete a face-to-face assessment. We also offer individuals requiring support and/or their families or support networks the opportunity to come along and visit the identified service(s), as well as meet with the managerial and support teams.

Assessments are arranged as soon as is practicable for the Customer, include people from their personal and professional circle of support. They are carried out in an environment where the Customer can best engage and make their views known on the service they need and how they wish to be supported. The Customer and stakeholders in the referral process are kept updated by the allocated Manager completing the assessment. We endeavour to complete the assessment within two working days.

This face-to-face assessment usually involves the Manager or/and their Deputy Manager of our identified service(s) meeting the individual, their support teams and sometimes families. This can take place where the individual currently lives or spends a lot of time e.g. Family home, current placement, residential school. Here, support needs and aspirations are discussed and assessed in greater depth. Compatibility with other Customers who currently live at that service and the level of support we would provide are also identified, our assessment process is key to ensuring each Customer can receive the best possible service.

Following Assessment, we feedback our findings to all relevant individuals involved and confirm whether or not our support and service(s) are suitable. If our service(s) are suitable, we will submit a proposal to the Individuals commissioning team. Our proposals include levels of support, how support would be provided, any multi-disciplinary input required from our internal team, written assessment, and our cost breakdown.

Once we have submitted our proposal, an individual’s Social Worker or Care Manager and Commissioning Team will then liaise. Funding can be either agreed or refused at ‘panel’ – This is where members of the Commissioning Team and the individual’s Social Worker or Care Manager/Co-Ordinator meet to decide whether or not the proposed placement will be agreed and funded. The time that this takes can vary, however we keep in regular contact with the Health and Social Care Team, the Individual and family members.

What happens if funding is not agreed?

If funding is not agreed for an Individual’s placement, their Social Worker or Care Manager/Co-Ordinator should discuss and explore alternative solutions with them and their family or support network.

On some occasions, funding can return to commissioning panel for further consideration. If funding still refused at this stage, the social worker or care Manager/Co-Ordinator should discuss other options with the individual and their family or support network. Many placements are agreed with differing timeframes for each. Once funding is agreed, individual

Once funding is agreed, we begin to plan ‘transition’ for the individual to ensure that their move to their new home is as smooth as possible. We also offer transition support for Outreach Support for Customers in their own homes. This allows time for the individual to get to know their new support team and for the Customer to give feedback on the support and ensure it is provided in the way they prefer.

Transition Support is planned between the Customer, their current and new support teams and family members.

Supported Living placements will also involve the Landlord of the Accommodation where the service is provided. The Housing Officer & Managers will help support the Customer to access the services they need to have the required benefit and support to complete any agreements to set up and manage their Tenancy prior to / on the S.

Every transition is different as this is based upon individual need, however the main aim is to reduce anxieties around the upcoming change(s) in the individual’s life.

We understand how crucial it is to get the transition period right and we usually offer:

• Meeting and beginning to build relationships with the new support team in individuals familiar surroundings
• Shadowing and observations
• The use of social stories, visuals or other augmentative communication methods to increase understanding, choice and expectation
• Day & Overnight stays in the Customer’s new home(Residential)
• Support re Tenancy Applications (Supported Living)
• Support with personalisation of Bedroom /flat
• Our Housing officer will help support with regard to Tenancy (Supported Living Services)

With structured and thorough transition complete and familiarity, trust and relationships already growing, the individual is prepared and ready to move into their new home! Formal support starts at this point, however regular contact is maintained with the Customer’s circle of support and other professionals involved in their support.