Initial Contact

Willowdene Farm prefers to operate all our referral procedures through professional agencies. These include: Social Services, Community Drug Teams, Probation Departments, Prisons, recognised voluntary counselling services, G.Ps, Local Health Authorities, etc.

Although agencies often wish to see their clients take the initiative and make initial contact, a referral will only be accepted when a member of a professional agency presents it.

Referral Form

The referral process can be initiated by telephone, and if required we can complete a referral form at that time. Alternatively, you can download a referral form here, which can be printed off, completed and returned to us.

Please note that no date for interview can be arranged until we have the completed referral form along with any appropriate reports (see referral form).

If you wish, you are free to photocopy the referral form for any future referrals to Willowdene Farm.

Assessment

If there are no preclusions, a needs-led assessment by the client’s home authority or their designated assessors must be arranged, so that the need for residential rehabilitation can be assessed.

Interview

If residential care is appropriate then an interview will be arranged. Preferably, the client would visit Willowdene Farm for the interview, thus allowing opportunity to see Willowdene and its location, to speak to current residents and get a feel of its operation, before making a decision regarding its suitability as a placement. During the interview, the prospective client is encouraged to share his background and is made aware of the expectation required of him.

The Conditions of Residence are fully discussed, the demands of the therapeutic process are outlined and there is discussion which aims to reach mutual agreement regarding how appropriate Willowdene Farm may be for the client. Interviews will normally be conducted at Willowdene Farm, but we appreciate that in certain circumstances this may not be convenient, therefore, where appropriate, we are prepared to interview off-site.

Funding

Assuming there are no preclusions, and an interview renders agreement on a placement being appropriate, the next stage is to secure funding.

Willowdene Farm is under constant financial pressure to maintain a high level of care, therefore, we can neither admit nor maintain placements without the full charges being met. (please contact Willowdene Farm directly for current charges).

If Home Authorities are not able to meet the full cost of the placement, a third party financier is acceptable. It is expected as in ‘pre-care in the community’ that Probation Service and District Health Authorities may contribute. Small charities will often produce grants to support individuals, but these will consistently be local trusts and, therefore, local agencies will have greater knowledge of what is available.