A Step Beyond Referral process

Our Referral and Placement Process is extensive in order to get to know the person, their needs, interests, skills and wishes for the future. This allows us to identify and plan personalised support for each individual, ensuring the person is at the centre of everything.

There are 5 steps in this process:

Referral

We welcome all enquiries and are pleased to provide information about our services, staff, and mission.

Referrals can be made by the individual, their family members, carers, social workers, placement finders, brokers, or local commissioning bodies.

In the initial contact, our goal is to gain a basic understanding of the person in need of support and gather detailed information about their current situation. We may request documents such as support plans, behaviour plans, and reports from other professionals.

Once we have reviewed all the gathered information and assessed suitability, we will arrange a face-to-face assessment.

Assessment

The assessment is conducted by two senior staff members.

Assessments can take place in the person’s home or another location where they feel comfortable. We encourage the individual, their family members, carers, and any other involved professionals to participate actively in the assessment process.

The assessment may take several hours to complete. We appreciate transparency and honesty in sharing information to ensure that our service is a good match.

Following the assessment, we will evaluate compatibility with our services and the level of support required.

Proposal

After the assessment, we will share our findings with all relevant parties and determine if our support and services are appropriate for the individual.

If our services are deemed suitable, we will provide a proposal outlining the level of support, how it will be delivered, the written assessment, and a cost breakdown.

Transition

The Social Worker and the Commissioning Team will discuss the funding arrangements. The case will be reviewed by a panel to decide whether the proposed placement will be approved and funded.

The timeframe for this process can vary, but we will keep in touch with the social worker, the individual, and their family until a decision is made.

Once funding is approved, we will begin planning the transition. If funding is not granted, the social worker will explore alternative options.

Transition Planning

Once funding is secured, we will commence the transition process. Transition support is tailored to the individual’s needs and involves coordination between the individual, their current and new support teams, and family members.

Typically, the transition plan includes:

• Meeting and building relationships with the individual and new staff members.
• Observations and shadowing of staff.
• Sharing detailed information about the individual and the services provided.