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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

  1. Get in touchSend an enquiry by email, phone or the form below.
  2. Share the informationWe ask for the referral form, care plan, risk assessments and recent reports.
  3. Honest assessmentThe Registered Manager reviews the referral against our Statement of Purpose, staff skills, the home and the current child.
  4. Questions firstIf anything is unclear, we ask before deciding — never after.
  5. A clear answerWe tell you whether we can safely and effectively meet the child's needs, and why.
  6. 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.

Email
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.