Referral Criteria

Children and young people who are considered suitable for W C B   N E will be referred from the Local Authorities, who would accept responsibility for their care package. For a child or young person to be considered all registered provisions must be exhausted. W C B   N E will have to request an initial assessment. A robust assessment will be undertaken by the Team Manager. The assessment process will include consultations with the child's social worker and any other professional involved in their lives including their current placement if appropriate. A request of information from the placing authority such as most recent care plan, core assessments, referral form, EHCP, most recent CLA review report, most recent PEP documentation, risk management plan will be made to help support the assessment process. Where possible a meeting will take place prior between the social worker and any other professionals involved in the care of the child or young person to gain as much information as possible around the support the child requires. In addition to this, if felt appropriate, a visit to the child/young person's current placement will also be undertaken.

The child or young person will have to meet the following criteria:

• The care and support needs to be transparent including clear risk assessments (including historic risks).
• A comprehensive placement assessment has been carried out by the Team Manager. The voice of the child or young person will be heard throughout the assessment period.
• Assessed needs demonstrate they can be appropriately met with W C B   N E .
• The child or young person's wishes and feelings regarding the placement have been ascertained.
• Aims and objectives are agreed and set out with the child/young person, family members and relevant health and social care professionals.
• The placing authority care plans are completed; consent forms are signed from local authority and/or parents and Team Manager.
• Funding for the placement must be agreed prior.
• We support children and young people by ensuring they have a young people's guide in a tailored format suitable for the child's communication needs and levels of understanding.
• The Manager and Deputy Manager will implement a transition plan (where possible) and discuss and plan with all relevant professionals associated with the child/young person's needs.
• We aim to have visits with a child/young person prior to accessing our services. Visits will vary depending on the needs of the child/young person. The child/young person will meet the Deputy Manager and Team Manager and have initial part of their visits throughout the transition.