Referrals for Domiciliary Care / Supported Living Services
Referral and Allocation Procedure for Supported Living Services
All applicants for supported living services must be on the Housing Executive’s Complex Needs Waiting List.
It is recommended that prospective applicants visit the accommodation along with the Referral Agent or family/carer before an application is made. Visits will be by arrangement with the Area Manager. Appropriate information will be shared and a prospective applicant’s visit form will be completed.
Criteria for Referral and Cost of Accommodation are outlined in the Application Pack distributed to referral agents and visitors. Referral Agents and prospective applicants must check both issues as early as possible.
The Referral Agent and prospective applicant together, complete the Referral Form and a General Housing Application Form.
These documents are returned to the Area Manager and Supported Housing Officer. The General Housing Application Form is marked ‘Complex Needs’ and forwarded to the appropriate Housing Executive area office.
Referrals are accepted from individuals from the following groups for adults over the age of eighteen.
- Learning disabilities
- Physical disabilities
- Complex needs
Referrals are generally submitted by local Health Trusts but self-referrals are accepted.
When a vacancy occurs and a waiting list of applicants is held by the Housing Officer, Referral Agents and the Housing Executive will be contacted to confirm that Applicants continue to require accommodation.
Before a care service commences an admissions panel is held to discuss the specific care needs of interested individuals. This meeting generally involves the relevant Area manager, the Supported Housing Officer as well as a Trust. This meeting seeks to obtain appropriate information on the specific needs and determine if Inspire Wellbeing can effectively meet the needs of the individual. Individuals usually wish to reside within our supported housing service; however applicants can request only domiciliary care without housing accommodation or support.
The Admissions Panel will complete an Admissions Panel Report, ensuring that the applicant’s needs are compared objectively with the eligibility criteria and agree collectively on the most suitable applicant for the existing vacancy. Financial requirements and Smoke Free Policy must be fully discussed and procedures agreed. Other suitable applicants may be placed on a reserve list.
The Admissions Panel Report will include appropriate detail on the decisions taken and recommendations regarding alternative services for unsuitable applicants. The panel will agree the best way to share outcomes providing written explanations and details of the appeals procedure as appropriate.
All applicants have the right to appeal decisions taken by the Admissions Panel. An applicant wishing to appeal a decision will in the first instance make this known to the Chair Person of the Admissions Panel. They will be provided with details of the Appeals Process including who will be involved, when and where it will take place and their right to be accompanied by a friend, relative, other professional or independent advocate.
Following an offer and acceptance of a supported living tenancy the appropriate documentation for Social Security benefits, the Housing Executive and Housing Association should be completed as soon as possible, and the Service User’s Personal File set up as required. The Supported Housing Officer and Area Manager will ensure that the Service User understands and signs their Tenancy Agreement.
Details of next of kin, other supporting services, background and any relevant medical details, cultural or religious needs, abilities of the Service User and details of the tasks to be carried out are assessed in collaboration with the referring Trust and named carer as appropriate.
On introduction to the service further information about INSPIRE WELLBEING LTD services are provided in the form of a Service Guide.
Details above are documented into a Person Centred Care and Support Plan. These files are available in the service user’s home for reference by Care Workers along with a medication chart if required. An INSPIRE WELLBEING LTD Record Sheet will also be left with the Service User in their Support and Care File to record information about care delivery and a summary of tasks carried out by staff. This also provides information for other Care Workers, carers and professionals etc. Appropriate risk assessments are conducted and kept updated.