Admissions
A deliberate process,because the placement has to fit.
Ridgewood’s primary offering is long-term residential care for adults with learning disabilities. High-quality assessment work significantly increases the likelihood a placement will succeed, so we take real care at the beginning — for the sake of the new service user, of existing residents, and of families.
The process
Five steps from enquiry to move-in.
1. Initial enquiry
Enquiries can come from a Care Manager, a commissioning authority, a family member or an advocate. We’ll take some basic details and arrange a call with the senior team to discuss fit.
2. Information gathering
We request as much service-user history as possible — particularly a full medical history. This allows us to understand behavioural, clinical and mental-health context before any visit takes place.
3. Assessment and planning
We produce an assessment of needs, care and goal plans, risk assessments and a medical report. An initial planning meeting is held with the service user, their Care Manager, parents and/or advocate, and the home manager.
4. Trial visits
A number of trial visits take place — often an initial meal, then one or more overnight stays. During these visits the Statement of Purpose and Service User Guide are made available and discussed.
5. Move-in
Once everything is in place, staff are fully briefed and any additional training completed, the service user moves in. Reviews are scheduled from day one — the placement remains under regular review throughout.
Admission criteria
What we consider on every placement.
These factors form the substance of our assessment. Emergency admissions are not our standard practice — we will still do as much assessment work as possible within any given time constraints before a placement is offered.
- The service user’s primary need is a learning disability with associated needs
- Ridgewood can manage the service user and any associated behaviours in the short and medium term
- Compatibility with other service users — age, gender, abilities, interests
- The home is equipped for specific needs (e.g. downstairs bedroom, wheelchair access)
- Likely impact on neighbours and the local community
- Medical history and associated risks can be safely managed
- Adequate funding is in place with the purchasing authority