Gawber Road - Admissions
We usually require detailed information in relation to the Parent/s and their baby (if s/he is born) prior to making a decision about offering a placement.
Placements are usually on a planned admission basis, with the opportunity for the Parents and their worker(s) to visit beforehand.
We require detailed information regarding the baby, including (where relevant) any LAC material, child protection conference reports and minutes, and relevant assessments reports. It is beneficial to have leave from the Court for Twenty Four-Seven to have the papers if the case is in Care Proceedings.
A Placement Plan is agreed with the Parent/s, Social Worker and others as appropriate on the day the placement commences and sets clear objectives and conditions of the placement.
Admission Criteria
Gawber Road is a small Unit with availability for 6 families.
Prior to accepting a placement request, consideration is always given to the mix of Parents within the Unit to ensure that no parent is knowingly going to be placed at risk by other residents.
Our residential and day assessments are individually tailored to meet the particular needs of families.
Below details parents and families who we are experienced in working with, although this is not an exhaustive list
- Mothers
- Fathers
- Couples
- Parents with more than one child
- Parents-to-be and first time parents
- Parents with learning difficulties
- Parents with mental health difficulties
- Parents with health problems
- Parents who have experienced poor parenting themselves
- Parents who are in local authority care or who have been in care
- Parents where domestic violence is an issue
- Parents with relationship issues
- Parents with poor social skills
- Parents who are on a stable methadone programme
- Parents with anger management difficulties
- Parents whose first language is not English, including deaf parents using BSL
- Parents with housing problems
- Parents whose children require ongoing medical support or intervention
- Parents who have previously been unable to work with professionals
OR any combination of the above.
Gawber Road is not suitable for Parents with a history of recent violent behaviour or any other behaviour that may place others at risk. We do not accept Parents who present a known sexual risk to others (including children) or who present a known significant risk of physical abuse of others (including children). We also do not accept parents who have an ongoing substance misuse problem (unless they are on a stable methadone programme).
ASSESSMENTS:
Assessments can be either Residential or on a Day basis; regardless of nature and length of the assessment period, the approach and methods used for assessment are based upon the information below. Further information regarding our Assessments is detailed under ‘Services Provided’
Residential Assessments
The usual length of a Residential Assessment is 12 weeks; however, we offer shorter assessments of varying duration, from a minimum period of 2 weeks, depending on what kind of help and support is required. On occasion an assessment will be extended for longer than 12 weeks if it is agreed that this would benefit the family and enable them to succeed and achieve a positive outcome. The placements can also be extended for the purposes of support rather than assessment, and the weekly costs are reduced to represent this.
When required and dependent upon the locality, there can be a transitional stage towards the end of the placement with staff undertaking assessment work in the parents own home.
Day Assessments
Parents visit the Unit on specified days to undertake assessment work; if required this can include evenings and week-ends. Again this can be undertaken over a 2 week period to 6 weeks period (with a view to extending this if required).
Day Assessments may be used to:
- Assess a parent’s commitment to undertaking an assessment without moving their baby from a settled placement.
- Enable a parent and child to readjust to being together for longer periods prior to a Residential Assessment.
- Assess a parent’s suitability for Residential Assessment.
- Assess a partner where a parent and child are resident in the Unit.
Community Assessments
Twenty Four-Seven can undertake assessments in the community in the following circumstances:
- Previously families unknown to Twenty Four-Seven
- Family moving on from the unit.
- Extended contact prior to rehabilitation
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