The admission criteria for NPH are;

  • Children will be of secondary school age
  • The identified placement is consistent with the Statement of Purpose
  • There must be an agreed care plan

The referral process(accept for Emergency Admissions)

Social workers will contact thePlacementsteam

Placements will be discussed in the weekly placement review meeting

If the placement is thought to be appropriate the manager will contact the social worker to discuss further.

Where it is felt necessary a member of NPH team will visit the child. Alternatively the child will visit NPH.

Before Admission (see below for Emergency Admissions)

  • The manager should allocate a key worker who will take responsibility to co-ordinate the following arrangements;
  • Ensure that the child and their family have a copy of the Young Person’s Guide to NPH, and the Statement of Purpose – and encourage them to contact us with any queries or worries.
  • Social worker should provide Children in Care forms: Personal Information Records (PIR) and Child’s Plan. This should have medical consent section signed by the person that holds Parental Responsibly or the social worker if they are on a Full Care Order. If these documents are not provided prior to the admission then they must be provided on admission.
  • Sleeping arrangements - the parents and child should have the opportunity to see where the child will be sleeping.
  • Discuss with the child and their family the importance of bringing personal possessions with him/her.
  • Discuss with the family and child previous placement routines and expectations. If these are to be different in this placement explore these with the child and explain the reasons for the differences.
  • To discuss cultural/religious needs of the child. Discuss these with the child and the family and consider making contact with organisations in the community to provide further information, and support for the child.
  • Ensure that the child and family have the telephone number of NPH and know who to contact.
  • Inform the other residents and discuss ways to welcome the new resident.
  • Prepare the bedroom and ensure that there is an adequate supply of appropriate toiletries.
  • Make sure that the team are aware of any health or allergy problems – and if required ensuring that there is necessary medication available.
  • Check on the child’s likes/dislikes about food, ensuring that there is an appropriate meal available when the child comes and arrange for food appropriate to the child’s dietary needs to be purchased.
  • Plan with the child, their family and social worker for their admission.

Emergency Admissions

Emergency and/or out of hours placements are accepted 24hrs a day. However to ensure that we minimise the disruption to young people already living in the home we will not accept emergency placements until the last young person has been settled for 4 weeks or more. Any exceptions to this must be agreed by the homes manager, deputy manager or Responsible Individual, who will base their decision on how settled the current young people are, how well the last young person has settled and the impact another person being accommodated will have on the newly formed group.

Staff accepting an emergency admission must follow the steps below

  1. Staff should take name and ICS number of the referral.
  2. Make an informed decision by accessing details on ICS.
  3. Consider the behaviours and dynamics of the existing group with those of the young person being referred to establish if it could have a detrimental effect on the existing young people.
  4. Ensure appropriate staffing levels.
  5. If during the night ensure young people are informed at the earliest point.

All admissions

  • Ensure all paperwork has been provided either prior to admission or on theday of admission. This must include Personal Information Records (PIR) withmedical consent signed by the parents if S20 or Social Work if on Interim orfull care order and Child’s Plan Pt1. Care Plan Pt2 should follow within 7 days of the placement starting.
  • On the day of admission one member of staff will be assigned – preferably the key worker – to be identified as the first contact and to meet and greet the child and their family on the day of admission. They will;
  • Consider what information is essential to give – it may be a stressful time and the child may not take all the information in. Ensure that the child and their family know who to ask if they are unsure of anything.
  • Knowing the fire procedures and where the toilets are is essential information.
  • Plan how other information will be passed on and by whom.
  • Ensure medication is handed over if applicable.
  • Show the child and their family around the building and introduce them to the staff and other residents.
  • Check what the child has brought with them. Do they have any other possessions that need collecting? Complete an inventory of the young person’s property.
  • Are there any outstanding appointments that we need to know about
  • Inform the child and their family about the complaints procedure
  • Before the social worker and family leave ensure that the family and child are clear on how to contact each other, and what the future contact arrangements are.
  • After the family leave – ascertain how the child is feeling and check what they want to do, mix with others, talk to staff, be left on their own for a little while.
  • Ensure a young person does not spend too much time in their room as it may be because they feel at a loose end, upset or uncomfortable around strangers and their peers.
  • Plan the child’s activities for the next few days – ensuring that the child is clear about the home’s expectations e.g. about attending school.

Administration

  • Complete the Admission/Discharge Book.
  • Set up the child’s file – with essential information to hand
  • Record on ICS that the young person has moved i
  • Contact and inform the child’s school of the move. Contact the designated teacher with responsibility for LAC
  • Register with GP, dentist etc…

Reviewed 27.07.2015