Referrals and Vacancies

The Conifers offers residential placements. We take referrals for residential care admissions from a number of different sources, including various Local Authorities, Community Learning Disabilities Teams, Mental Health Social Work Teams, nominated key-workers from multi-disciplinary teams or from private individuals.

People who enquire about our accommodation usually discuss a placement by phone or email and are then provided with a brochure and information pack. They may then apply directly for a placement with us.

Who can access our services?

Individuals wishing to access our services must have learning disabilities and be aged 18 or over. All referrals will be accompanied with a Com 5 (an assessment of need, which states the reasons for the referral or application and the specific services sought, e.g. short- or long-term care, respite care etc.) The Conifers is not able to provide nursing care.

Assessments are usually multi-disciplinary and submitted by a Local Authority Social Services Care Manager, a specialist Community Learning Disabilities Team, a Mental Health Social Work Team or nominated keyworker of a multi-disciplinary team. They will include a financial assessment, which will determine any local authority or health service funding to which the applicant may be entitled.

Each application is given careful consideration by The Conifers management and the relevant house staff. Where there is a match between application and needs assessment, and the availability of a suitable vacancy or potential vacancy, the application will be progressed. A final decision is taken at an admission meeting to which everyone involved in the application, including the client, carers and representatives, are invited to attend. If agreement is reached to admit the client, an initial action plan is then drawn up to decide the next steps in the process.

The next steps...

Before taking up a residential placement, clients are encouraged to visit and familiarise themselves with The Conifers as a whole. After this, if the client wishes to continue with the placement, a transitional programme will be arranged for the service they are interested in. Except for emergency admissions this will normally include several visits and, where a residential placement is on offer, afternoon visits, overnight and weekend stays will be arranged.

At this point the client or advocate will be given a Client Guide and a brochure, which details what they can expect from us and what we would expect from them in return. The Conifers will then sign a contract with the funding Borough before the placement can begin.

After placement at The Conifers

During the first six months, progress meetings will be held with the client, relatives, external professionals and any other significant individuals invited by the client. Normally at this meeting, the appropriateness of the placement will be discussed, and future plans agreed.

The Conifers will only offer placements to a client who has clearly indicated a wish to take up a placement and whose needs we are able to meet. We will not continue a placement where an individual has indicated a wish to move on. The Conifers will respect and support the rights and wishes of any individual to move on and will actively facilitate this process, which will involve a planned and structured transition whenever possible.


Emergency admission and placement

The Conifers is aware that under certain circumstances it may be necessary to admit a client without a planned or fully structured transition, e.g. where an emergency placement or place of safety is required. In these situations, it is our policy to carry out at least one introductory visit. The purpose of this is to introduce ourselves to the individual and ascertain:

• - the individuals wishes with regard to placement
• - the circumstances precipitating the emergency and any special support or intervention that may be required
• - a brief assessment of need and the suitability of our services

Upon placement under these circumstances The Conifers will make every effort to ensure: