Referral Procedure and Review Process

Referral Procedure

Initial Enquiry

An initial enquiry is usually made to school by either a social work or education department. This is normally made by telephone and a conversation will take place with the Director of Services, Head of Care Services, or Head of Education Services. This will give the referring agency the opportunity to ask questions on suitability and the school to ask questions about the young person.

Consideration of Referral

Following the enquiry, should the referring agency wish to make a referral, the enquirer should either fax or post an up-to-date set of reports on the young person. These should include social work and education reports along with reports from any other agency involved.

The papers are then circulated to appropriate managers of the school for consideration. At the school's internal referrals meeting the case will be discussed and, if considered appropriate, the social worker, educational psychologist and other involved agencies will be invited to a referral meeting.

Referral Meeting

The Head of Care Services, Head of Education Services, along with the relevant Child Care Manager, will attend this meeting, where a detailed discussion will take place regarding the background, present circumstances and identified needs of the young person. Information is also given on the services offered by the school.

The school may offer a placement at this meeting and a date will be arranged for a pre-admission meeting which will be attended by the young person, family, social worker and educational psychologist.

Pre-Admission Meeting

The young person and family are met by the Child Care Manager and Key Worker and given a tour of the school. Various forms are then completed and the family has an opportunity to ask any questions they may have.

If the young person and family are in agreement with the offer of the placement, the initial education and care plans will be formed and a series of pre-admission visits arranged. A date will also be set for formal admission.