Admissions to our homes are carefully planned to ensure a smooth and supportive transition for both the new arrival and our existing residents. Every step of the process is carried out with sensitivity, clarity, and collaboration, placing the child's wellbeing and voice at the centre.
1. Initial Referral and Assessment
The process begins when we receive a placement request from the Local Authority. From the outset, we work in close partnership with the child, their family, social worker, and other key professionals to gather a holistic and person-centred overview of their needs, strengths, and history.
We request and review all essential documents, including:
- Local Authority Placement Plan
- Annual Statement of Education or EHCP
- Individual Education Plan (IEP) / Personal Education Plan (PEP), where applicable
A thorough risk and compatibility assessment is completed to ensure the young person can be safely and appropriately matched with others in the home. This assessment is led by the Registered Manager, supported by Deputy Managers, care staff, therapists, and educational professionals.
2. Pre-Admission Visit
To support a positive and informed transition, the child is invited to attend a pre-admission visit to Ridgeway, accompanied by their social worker and/or family. This visit allows them to:
- Familiarise themselves with the home environment
- Meet key staff members and peers
- Ask questions and express any worries
- Contribute ideas for decorating their bedroom
- Begin to build trust with the team
During this visit, the allocated key worker will:
- Introduce their role and explain how they will offer consistent support, guidance, and advocacy
- Set clear expectations with the young person regarding routines, behaviour, responsibilities, and respect
- Discuss what the child hopes to achieve and how they prefer to be supported
This early dialogue helps build trust, promote emotional safety, and ensure the child feels heard and included from the very beginning.
3. Admission Approval and Planning
If the placement is agreed upon, we work together with the child/young person and their support network to develop a person-centred Placement Plan tailored to their individual needs, preferences, and goals. Upon admission, the child/young person will be given a full induction to help them integrate and settle in.
The child/young person will:
- Receive a Welcome Pack, including a Children’s Guide to routines, expectations, and available support
- Be assigned a dedicated key worker as their consistent point of contact
- Attend an initial health check within two weeks (unless the family keeps existing arrangements)
- Have a basic independent skills assessment within 7 days of placement
- Have a placement agreement meeting within 5 days of being placed in the home
4. Ongoing Support and Participation
From day one, we encourage young people to:
- Express their views, wishes, and feelings
- Participate in weekly house meetings
- Engage in one-to-one key work sessions with their key worker
- Take part in shaping their care, education, and home environment
We are committed to meaningful participation and ensure the child has a strong voice in their journey with us. For further details, a copy of our Admissions Policy is available upon request.
