Referrals to children’s homes are always made with one goal in mind: to provide a safe, stable environment where a child’s emotional, social, and developmental needs can be fully supported. In the UK, this process is carefully overseen by local authorities and guided by safeguarding law.
At Welcare, every placement is guided by compassion, trauma-informed care, and a commitment to helping children thrive long term.
Who Makes the Referral?
Referrals are typically made by:
- Local authority social workers (under Section 20 or Section 31 of the Children Act 1989)
- Out-of-hours safeguarding teams in urgent situations
- Youth justice or education welfare teams, depending on circumstances
- Placement commissioners, who manage regional bed availability and provider suitability
Parents and carers cannot directly place a child into a children’s home unless it is part of a formal local authority decision.
When Is a Child Referred?
Residential care is considered when:
- Foster placements have broken down or aren’t suitable
- A child’s needs require 24-hour specialist support
- There are significant safeguarding concerns
- Emotional or behavioural challenges demand a therapeutic setting
Residential care is considered when:
- Foster placements have broken down or aren’t suitable
- A child’s needs require 24-hour specialist support
- There are significant safeguarding concerns
- Emotional or behavioural challenges demand a therapeutic setting
At Welcare, our homes are especially equipped for children who need emotional regulation support, consistent structure, and a therapeutic approach to healing.
What Is the Referral Process?
1. Local Authority Assessment
Social workers assess the child’s circumstances and determine the best care route. If residential care is deemed necessary, a formal referral is initiated.
2. Referral Sent to Homes
Homes like Welcare receive detailed referral packs that include:
- Social history and risk assessments
- Educational and healthcare needs
- Behavioural profiles and care plans
3. Home Review & Matching
Our care team carefully reviews the referral to decide if we’re the right fit. We assess:
- The needs of the child
- Whether we can meet those needs
- How well the child would fit with others already in the home
If a match is possible, we respond with interest, or decline if we feel we’re not thebest environment.
4. Placement Agreement
Once accepted, planning begins. A Placement Agreement is created outlining responsibilities, daily care expectations, and initial targets.
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5. Transition or Emergency Admission
- Planned transitions may involve pre-visits and family introductions.
- Emergency placements can be made within hours, often outside office hours. Our team ensures safety, stability, and emotional support from the first moment.
What Happens After Placement?
A Key Worker is assigned to the child
Regular reviews are held with the local authority
The child participates in shaping their care and setting goals
Safeguarding, education, and therapeutic support are actively delivered
A Thoughtful Approach to Every Placement
At Welcare, referrals aren’t just about filling a bed. They’re about creating a match that lasts. We ensure every child placed with us is surrounded by the right people, systems, and emotional supports to grow and move forward with confidence.
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