Referrals
Guidance for local authorities and commissioners on how we consider, match and welcome children.
Choosing the right home is a big decision. Here's how we make sure it's the right one.
Careful matching is a safeguarding decision
We never accept a placement simply because a bed is free. Before agreeing to any admission we look carefully at the child's:
- strengths, needs, communication and emotional wellbeing
- health, education and any EHCP
- risks, including risk of going missing or of exploitation, in the context of our location
- staffing needs
- compatibility with the child already living here, including privacy and gender
How the referral process works
- Get in touchSend an enquiry by email, phone or the form below.
- Share the informationWe ask for the referral form, care plan, risk assessments and recent reports.
- Honest assessmentThe Registered Manager reviews the referral against our Statement of Purpose, staff skills, the home and the current child.
- Questions firstIf anything is unclear, we ask before deciding — never after.
- A clear answerWe tell you whether we can safely and effectively meet the child's needs, and why.
- A planned moveWhere possible the child visits, meets staff, sees their bedroom and helps plan their arrival.
Emergency admissions are only considered where we have enough information to make a safe, defensible decision, matching has been assessed and the right staff are in place. Any urgent admission is followed by a prompt review of the care plan, risk assessments and multi-agency arrangements.
Ready to refer?
For placement enquiries, partnership conversations or general information, send us your details and a member of the team will be in touch promptly.
- info@phoenixnest.org.uk
- Phone
- Phone number
Please do not include a child's personal details in this form. We will arrange a secure way to share referral information.