Working with professionals to support young people.
We work with Local Authorities, Leaving Care Teams and social workers to make carefully planned placements. This page sets out what we assess, what documentation we need, how decisions are made, and how placements are reviewed.
Every placement is planned, not filled
No young person is admitted unless we are confident we can provide safe, effective and person-centred support. Where we determine that we cannot safely or effectively meet a young person's needs, we say so, and work openly with the referring authority to find a more suitable service.
Age
We support young people aged 16 to 18 who are looked after, care-experienced, homeless, vulnerable or preparing for independent adulthood.
Needs assessment
We consider assessed support needs, risks, vulnerabilities and future goals, alongside emotional wellbeing, mental health, education, training and employment needs.
Compatibility
We assess compatibility with the young people already living in the service, and the likely impact of the placement on them and on the home.
Suitability
We consider whether the accommodation environment and location are suitable, and whether the staff team has the skills, experience and capacity to support the placement.
What we weigh before saying yes
A proposed placement is accepted only when the Registered Service Manager is satisfied that we can meet the young person's assessed needs in line with the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023 and the Quality Standards.
- The young person's assessed support needs, personal history, experiences, vulnerabilities and strengths
- Safeguarding concerns, including exploitation, missing episodes, substance misuse, offending behaviour, self-harm or mental health concerns
- Cultural, religious, linguistic, gender identity and diversity needs
- Education, training, employment and health requirements
- The suitability of the accommodation environment
- The impact of the proposed placement on existing residents
- The compatibility of the young person with others living within the service
- The skills, experience and training of the staff team available to support the placement
Completed before admission
To promote placement stability and safeguard everyone living in the service, we complete an Impact and Compatibility Risk Assessment before a young person is admitted. It forms part of the overall decision and is reviewed whenever new information comes to light.
- Known risks presented by or to the young person
- Compatibility with existing residents
- Potential safeguarding concerns
- The young person's support needs and level of independence
- The likely impact on the home's culture, environment and the wellbeing of others
- Whether staff have the skills, experience and capacity to support the young person effectively
Where additional knowledge or specialist expertise is required, we arrange targeted training and guidance for staff before or during the placement so the young person's needs can be met effectively.
From referral to the first week of a placement
Effective outcomes are best achieved when referrals are carefully planned. A detailed referral allows us to determine whether we can provide the right support, and gives the young person a say in where they live.
Referral submitted
A referral is submitted by the placing authority, with all relevant assessments, plans and supporting documentation available at that point.
Review and assessment
The Registered Service Manager reviews all available information, consults the referring social worker and other professionals, assesses whether the service can safely and effectively meet the young person's needs, and considers staffing skills and support requirements. Specialist training may be arranged for staff where that is what the placement needs.
Impact and Compatibility Risk Assessment
Completed before admission, and reviewed again whenever new information becomes available.
The young person visits
Where it is practical and safe, the young person is offered the chance to visit the accommodation, meet staff and other residents, view their room, learn about local facilities, ask questions and express their views. They receive a Young Person's Guide setting out their rights, responsibilities, support arrangements, complaints procedures, safeguarding information and key contacts.
Pre-admission meeting
Guided Heights Care senior management and staff meet to assess whether a placement here is in the young person's best interest. The Impact Risk Assessment is reviewed and a decision is made on placement allocation.
Placement meeting within three working days of admission
A meeting is held to agree the young person's initial care plan, identify immediate needs, set out the support required and make sure everyone involved understands their role, so the approach is shared and consistent from the start.
What to send with a referral
Send whatever is available. The more complete the picture at referral, the sooner we can give you a clear answer on suitability.
- Pathway Plan
- Care Plan
- Risk Assessments
- Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
- Health information
- Mental health assessments
- Missing from Care information
- Exploitation risk assessments
- Youth Justice information, where applicable
- Any safeguarding concerns or ongoing investigations
Emergency placements
Occasionally an emergency placement is requested where full consultation is not possible. In those circumstances:
- Available information is reviewed immediately
- An initial risk assessment is completed
- The Registered Service Manager must be satisfied that the placement can be managed safely
- Enhanced monitoring arrangements may be implemented
- A formal placement review is undertaken within 72 hours
Where concerns arise after admission that indicate the placement may not be suitable, we work with the placing authority to identify alternative arrangements that better meet the young person's needs.
Being confirmed
Out of hours referral route
The Statement of Purpose sets out how an emergency placement is assessed, but it does not give an out of hours contact route or duty number for Emergency Duty Teams. Guided Heights Care to confirm the number and hours to publish here.
Placement decision
The final decision on admission rests with the Registered Service Manager, who must be satisfied that:
- The placement is suitable
- Risks can be safely managed
- Appropriate support can be provided
- The placement promotes positive outcomes
- Existing residents remain safe and supported
- The service can meet its responsibilities under the Supported Accommodation Quality Standards
No young person is admitted unless Guided Heights Care is confident it can provide safe, effective and person-centred support that promotes their welfare, development, independence and successful transition into adulthood.
How a placement is monitored
Support is set out in an Initial Assessment and Support Plan aligned with the young person's statutory Pathway Plan, developed jointly with the social worker and informed by the young person's own voice. These are the review points.
- Within 72 hours
Emergency placement review
Where a placement has been made as an emergency, a formal placement review is undertaken within 72 hours of admission.
- Four weeks
First LAC review
The first Looked After Children review takes place at the four-week point, reflecting on progress, updating the support plan and producing an action plan.
- About six weeks
Placement review
A placement review takes place approximately six weeks after admission. It assesses whether the young person is benefiting from the care plan, evaluates progress and identifies any adjustments or additional support needed.
- Every month
Case review
A comprehensive monthly case review monitors progress against the Initial Assessment and Support Plan and adjusts it where necessary.
- Three months, then every six months
Ongoing LAC reviews
LAC reviews continue at three months and then every six months for the duration of the young person's stay, each one producing an action plan for the next steps.
We record all interactions with the young person and maintain consistent communication with Local Authority social services, with regular information sharing and consultation guided by the Initial Assessment and Support Plan.
Speak to us directly
To discuss a specific case in confidence, contact us by phone or email. Common questions are answered on our FAQs page.
Discuss a placement with our team.
Send us what you have and we will tell you honestly whether we can meet the young person's needs.