Referrals:
Working together to find the best solution

Referrals and assessments

Referrals come to us from a wide variety of sources, including placement breakdowns, Special Education Needs schools, residential colleges, community support units and individuals looking to leave the family home for the first time. Referrals can be made by a social worker, care manager or the individual's parents, although the care manager acting on behalf of that individual must be consulted before an assessment can take place.

The assessment process is designed to ensure we can offer a placement where the person we'll be supporting can achieve the most positive outcomes. In each case, when we're assessing someone, we look at the whole person to determine their suitability for a particular home or service. We consider their needs, abilities and personality, where they'd like to live, who they'd like to live with and what things are important in their lives. The aim is to ensure we can support them to achieve as much as possible, while leading a safe, happy and fulfilled life.

Following initial assessment, the individual being referred, their family, friends and their care manager are encouraged to visit suitable Choice Care homes and services for themselves, to meet the other people we support, the Home or Service Manager, and staff. Where this isn't possible or appropriate for the person being referred, we look for guidance from someone who knows them well and can make recommendations on their behalf.

Commissioners will often ask for three separate assessments, so they can compare value and suitability. This also helps give you options.

Where all parties, including the person who needs support, agree that a placement is appropriate, their care manager will apply for funding. After funding is agreed, a start date will be confirmed and a transition plan can be devised, specifically tailored to the individual's needs, in order to provide as much support as possible during and after their move.

Transfers

In certain circumstances, someone we support or those who know them well, may feel their current living arrangements are no longer ideal for their needs; perhaps because of a change in health, relationships with the people they live with or because they want to live in a different area. We aim to ensure everyone we support is in the right place, so if things need to change, we'll explore whether another of our homes or services would be a better option.

We work together with everyone involved to agree the change and facilitate the move.

Following initial assessment, the individual being referred, their family, friends and their care manager are encouraged to visit suitable Choice Care homes and services for themselves, to meet the other people we support, the Home or Service Manager, and staff. Where this isn't possible or appropriate for the person being referred, we look for guidance from someone who knows them well and can make recommendations on their behalf.

Emergency referrals

When people move into our homes, we hope to have enough time to plan things together to ensure the smoothest possible transition. However, we recognise this isn't always possible, and sometimes a move has to be arranged very quickly. We're able to offer emergency placements, often completing an assessment on the same day as an enquiry is received, while still ensuring the placement is entirely suitable and staff are able to provide the most appropriate support.