Admissions & Referrals
A thoughtful, thorough and child-centred process — ensuring any new placement is a positive and sustainable decision for the referred child and for the children already living with us.
Our Goal
A stable, nurturing and safe home for every child
At NSCH Care Group, our primary goal is to provide a stable, nurturing and safe home for every child we care for. Our admissions process is designed to be thoughtful, thorough and child-centred — ensuring that any new placement is positive and sustainable for the referred child and for those already living with us.
Criteria for Admission
Who we support
We provide care for children and young people of all genders, typically aged 8–18. We specialise in supporting children who have experienced:
- Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (EBD)
- Developmental trauma and attachment difficulties
- Family or previous placement breakdowns
- Childhood neglect or abuse
- Learning difficulties / disability
Our decision to offer a placement is based on a careful assessment of our ability to meet the child’s specific needs and the suitability of our environment — including the dynamics of the current group of children. Please note: we are not equipped to support children who require a secure setting or those with primary needs related to severe learning disabilities or complex physical health conditions.
The Referral & Assessment Process
How a placement comes together
Initial referral
All referral documents are sent directly to the Registered Manager and Responsible Individual for review.
Comprehensive assessment
We conduct a detailed analysis of the child’s history, needs and circumstances using information provided by the placing authority.
Impact & compatibility assessment
Our Impact Risk Assessment evaluates the referred child’s needs alongside those of the children currently in our home, so we can meet everyone’s needs effectively.
Decision
The leadership team makes a final decision and provides a clear, timely rationale to the placing authority.
Planned Admissions
Our preferred approach
A well-planned and sensitively managed transition is key to a successful placement. Our ideal process includes:
- Introductions & visits: the child visits the home, meets the staff team and is introduced to the other children — perhaps a short visit, tea, or joining an activity.
- Information gathering: all essential documentation is requested from professional partners to build a complete picture of the child.
- Collaborative planning: we create a child-friendly Admission and Placement Plan with the child, their family (where appropriate) and the placing authority.
Emergency admissions
We accept emergency admissions where agreed by senior managers and the placing authority. An initial care and risk assessment is completed on admission, with a provisional care plan established pending full assessment and a multi-agency planning meeting. Where documentation is incomplete, outstanding records are pursued and secured by the next business day.
Questions
Admissions FAQs
Who do you provide care for?
We care for children and young people of all genders, typically aged 8–18, who have experienced emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD), developmental trauma and attachment difficulties, family or previous placement breakdowns, childhood neglect or abuse, or learning difficulties/disability.
Who are you unable to support?
Lisette House is not equipped to support children who require a secure setting, or those whose primary needs relate to severe learning disabilities or complex physical health conditions.
How do I make a referral?
All referral documents are sent directly to the Registered Manager and Responsible Individual. You can start the process by calling us on 01604 951197 or completing the referral form on our Contact page.
Do you accept emergency admissions?
Yes. We accept emergency admissions where agreed by senior managers and the placing authority. Senior Management authorises emergency admissions following a proportionate assessment of immediate needs and risks, with an initial care and risk assessment completed on admission.
How are decisions made?
Our leadership team makes the final decision based on a careful assessment of our ability to meet the child’s needs, including an Impact Risk Assessment considering the current group of children. We provide a clear and timely rationale to the placing authority.
Start a referral today
Call our team on 01604 951197 for referrals and enquiries, or send the details through our secure form.