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Referrals

How to refer a young person to Ambitions First Care, what to send, and what happens next.

Illustration of a meeting table with referral paperwork

Who can refer

We accept referrals from local authorities, social work teams, commissioning teams and placing organisations acting on their behalf. Referrals are treated as confidential and are read by the people who will make the decision.

We would rather have an early, honest conversation about whether a placement is likely to work than accept something we cannot sustain. If we are not the right provision, we will say so, and where we can, we will point you somewhere better suited.

  • Local authority children’s services teams
  • Social workers and placement finding teams
  • Commissioning and brokerage organisations
  • Other providers seeking a planned move for a young person
Illustration of referral paperwork on a tableB2B referral model

What to send

The information that lets us answer properly

You do not need a complete pack to start. The items below are what we need in order to give you a considered answer rather than a holding response.

Essential

  • The young person’s age and current placement situation
  • A current care plan or referral document
  • Reason for the move and what is needed from the placement
  • Any known risk or vulnerability information
  • Education status and current provision

Helpful, if available

  • Health information relevant to daily support needs
  • Communication needs and preferences
  • Existing professional network and named contacts
  • Contact arrangements already agreed
  • Any dates or deadlines driving the move

Send what you have to info@ambitionsfirstcare.uk or call +44 7533 557333. If you are working to a deadline, say so when you make contact and we will prioritise the response accordingly.

The pathway

Four steps from enquiry to first night

We keep the sequence visible so that placing teams always know where a referral has got to.

Step 1

Enquiry and initial screening

We confirm receipt, allocate a named contact and identify any immediate questions. You will be told who is dealing with the referral.

Step 2

Assessment and matching

We read the paperwork properly and consider whether the young person’s needs match what we can provide. Where there are gaps, we name them.

Step 3

Placement planning

Before a first night we agree the placement plan, staffing, education arrangements, risk management and reporting cycle.

Step 4

First week and review

The first week is planned in detail. A review follows on the agreed cycle, with the young person’s own view included.

Reporting back

Every placement has an agreed reporting arrangement, set out at planning stage. This covers routine communication as well as the exceptional events that placing teams need to hear about immediately.

  • Named day-to-day contact in the home
  • Named contact on the placing side, with a deputy
  • Agreed cycle for written summaries
  • Immediate notification route for incidents and safeguarding concerns
  • Formal review schedule fixed at the start

Fees and settlement

Day services, support sessions and assessment visits are published at a fixed rate on our Fees & Funding page. A residential placement is different: the fee is agreed in writing before the placement begins and is a matter for the commissioning conversation rather than a published price list. There are no hidden supplementary charges for routine support.

  • Published rates for day services, sessions and assessment visits
  • Weekly placement fee quoted in writing after assessment
  • Additional support agreed in advance and priced explicitly
  • Notice periods and variation terms stated in writing
  • Full terms in our Terms & Conditions
  • Any private funding arrangements addressed before referral

After referral

What is expected of the placement

Once a young person moves in, our obligations are explicit. So are the things we will ask you for.

From us

  • Daily care and support as set out in the placement plan
  • Accurate, timely records available for inspection
  • Prompt reporting of incidents and safeguarding concerns
  • Attendance at reviews, meetings and professional forums
  • Planned, supported transition when the placement ends

From the placing team

  • Up-to-date care plans and statutory decisions
  • Out-of-hours duty contact details
  • Prompt notification of changes affecting the placement
  • Clarity on contact arrangements and who decides
  • Engagement with reviews and escalation routes

Ready to refer?

Start a referral conversation

Send the information you have. You will get a named contact and a clear next step, whether or not we are able to offer a placement.

Email the office Call +44 7533 557333
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