Admission Procedures

Good practice recommends that admissions are planned and the child or young person properly prepared before taking up residence.  We always welcome informal discussions on the suitability of a placement, either by telephone call or a visit.

Referral requests may be made by telephone and an on-line referral form will be sent to the appropriate persons via e-mail.

Knowing that the placing authority has the case responsibility, and the Children Act 1989 places greater emphasis on “Partnership with Family”. We are very much aware that we are carers on behalf of others.  It is our policy therefore to have a clear contractual agreement which reflects this partnership and which contains the following elements:

- Howestead Lodge Ltd totally supports the Department of Health L.A.C Looking After Children System.

- At the Planning Meeting, or on admission, or as soon as practically possible each child oryoung person will have a written Individual Placement Plan.  It is the Placement Plan that constitutes the contractual agreement, and to which the relevant parties (i.e. children and young people, parents, persons with parental responsibility, Social Worker, Howestead Lodge) will be signatories.