Referral Process

📋 Referral Process 

Making the Right Move, Together

At Stourhead Healthcare, we know how important it is to find the right placement for a young person.
Our referral process is designed to be responsive, thorough, and child-centred — ensuring every decision is made with care, transparency, and professionalism.

🛤️ Step 1: Initial Enquiry

Professionals such as social workers, placement officers, or commissioning teams can make an initial enquiry by:

• Emailing our referrals team
• Calling our dedicated referral line
• Completing an online enquiry form

We’ll ask for some basic information about the child or young person’s needs, history, and placement requirements.

📄 Step 2: Receiving Referral Information

Once an initial match seems possible, we request a full referral pack, which typically includes:

• Social Care Assessments
• Education and Health Care Plans (EHCPs) if applicable
• Risk Assessments
• Placement Plans
• Recent LAC reviews
• Therapeutic reports (if available)

This helps us build a full, clear picture of the child’s needs and how we can support them best.

🏡 Step 3: Matching and Assessment

Our leadership team carefully reviews all referral information.
We assess:

• The child’s needs against the skills and experience of our team
• Compatibility with current young people in placement
• Our ability to meet safeguarding, education, and therapeutic needs

We will only offer a placement if we are fully confident we can provide the right environment and support.

🤝 Step 4: Placement Offer and Planning

If we are able to offer a placement, we will:

• Send a formal Placement Offer Letter
• Propose a transition plan tailored to the child’s needs (if time allows)
• Liaise closely with the placing authority, family (where appropriate), and existing professionals

We welcome pre-placement visits for the young person wherever possible to help them feel familiar and comfortable.

📆 Step 5: Admission and Welcome

On the agreed date, the young person is welcomed into their new home by their key staff team.
A detailed Placement Plan is implemented from day one, setting clear goals for safety, emotional wellbeing, education, and development.

We ensure that every child’s transition is handled with patience, empathy, and respect.

👉 Looking to make a referral or learn more?

Contact our Referrals Team today.
📧 referrals@stourheadhealthcare.com | 📞 0330 054 5678