An initial enquiry from a referring authority or agency is made to the Referrals Officer (Shelley McEwan) by e-mail referrals@lioncare.co.uk or by phone 01273 720424.
Having considered the referral information provided, and with due regard to ensuring appropriate matching and initial assessment of likely impact the child’s presenting behaviours may have on the current group of children living in our Homes and attending our School, the Referrals Officer consults with members of the Leadership Team and between them they assess our ability to meet the needs of the referred child.
Following further consultation with the referring authority and the Leadership Team of The Lioncare Group, a preliminary decision to accept or decline the referral is made, usually within 24 hours, based on the information provided. The Referrals Officer contacts the referring authority or agency to discuss the preliminary decision.
If it is agreed we could offer an appropriate placement, further detailed information will be sought from the referring authority so that an Initial Impact Assessment can be carried out.
A date is set for the case social worker to visit and meet with the service manager and registered manager and / or Head Teacher as appropriate to ensure the proposed placement meets the child’s needs.
If all parties are in agreement, and following authorisation by the Executive Director, the Referrals Officer confirms the offer of a placement in writing to the referring authority. The referring authority then responds in writing their wish to accept the offer. There is usually a need for panel agreement by the placing authority before this stage is reached.
For the residential provision, the admissions procedure begins, and is overseen by the respective Registered Manager. For the education provision, this is overseen by the Head Teacher.
This includes:
- collating, sorting, and sharing relevant information
- the Registered Manager and/or Head Teacher visiting the child in their current home and/or school placement along with the proposed Casework Manager from our Home and/or School
- presenting the child with their ‘Welcome Book’, ‘Guide to Westfields / Hillfields’, or ‘Student Welcome Pack’ as appropriate
- maintaining contact with the child and their current carers / teachers
- arranging for the child to visit our Home and/or School
- arranging for the child’s bedroom to be decorated according to the preferences of the child (within reason)
- being present to welcome the child to the Home and/or School on their day of admission.
- an Initial Placement Planning Meeting for all the adults involved in the welfare of the child is held prior to the day of admission or where this is not possible, within 7 days of admission to the Home.