Referral and Admission Procedure
A referral may be initiated in various ways, but most usually this is through an informal discussion between a referring agency (perhaps a social worker or placements officer, teacher, education psychologist or parent) and ourselves.
If it is felt by the two parties that Fellside may be an appropriate placement, we will request documentation on the young person referred, which will help us towards a more informed opinion of the need. We would also, at this time, engage in discussion with various adults about the potential placement.
Staff from TheSPACE would then visit the young person in their "home environment" or current place of residence. A second visit, of this type, may be needed. It would then be decided as to whether it would be appropriate to invite the young person to visit the community for a day, or a part of a day.
The young person's visit to the community is essentially an informal affair. It is an opportunity for them to see what Fellside is like and for staff and residents to meet the young person. This will include the recognition that for any person to join the group they have to be able to recognise the importance of the needs of the other members of the group.
At interview all involved in a young person's referral are asked what outcome or purpose they would like to see that would let them know the placement had been a success. It is essential that this intended outcome is made very explicit and agreed particularly with the young person who will be living with us, as it will form the basis of all our work.
Following this visit, a decision will be made as to whether a place will be offered and the young person is asked to think about whether he or she would like to accept the offer. No person is admitted to Fellside without their agreeing personally to come. Each individual has to have a sufficient degree of acknowledgement that they want and need to change. We see the freedom to make positive choices as an essential part of the process of "Join Up".
A date for admission would then be mutually arranged and agreed.
