Referrals
The children referred to The Meadows are aged between ten and seventeen and may be of either gender and of varying ethnic backgrounds. Every opportunity is afforded to make them feel safe and accepted. The Meadows has a positive anti-discriminatory policy, reflected and reinforced both in our recruitment and training of staff and our treatment of the children and in the way that we expect them to treat others.
Children referred to us may have experienced:
- Disruption within their birth families and possible breakdown of relationships.
- A history of abuse, e.g. neglect, sexual, physical, emotional, Trauma, PTSD, attachment issues and disorders.
- Various placement breakdowns, often numerous, which may include adoption, fostering, children’s homes and residential schools.
- Difficulties in attending and or achieving at school.
- Possible involvement in delinquent behaviour.
All referrals are considered on an individual basis. An assessment is made of the individual’s needs, and our abilities to meet these needs, given the needs of the group in placement. Whilst we are non-judgmental about circumstances/histories that have led to behaviour, it is unlikely that we would accept referrals where there is a history of perpetrating sexual abuse, arson, extremes of aggression and violence.
The length of placement should be discussed at referral and will be jointly reviewed throughout the stay. Although we will accept short-term placements our preference is for a placement of at least six months to enable us to effect planned change.
The child will normally be involved in the decision to place them at The Meadows, as should their family where this is appropriate. We are committed to partnership working.
Usually a programme of introduction to The Meadows will be set in place and although we are able to take a child at short notice this will not be the norm. It is desirable that the child’s family should be involved with this process.
