Criteria for Admission

The people referred to QEF Independent Living Services are disabled physically and/or with learning difficulties. Dorincourt endeavours to offer placements to all the people who we feel can benefit from the environment we offer.

We will consider referrals for people:

• aged between 18 – 65 years of age
• of either gender
• who have physical or learning disabilities
• who need short/medium term placements
• who aspire to a greater level of independence in their lives
• who require respite care
• who are recovering from some form of illness
• who are going through some form of crisis in their lives.

Referrals will not be considered for the following:

• People with severe mental health issues
• People who are habitual offenders
• People who require nursing care
• People who are Schedule 1 offenders.

Admission Procedure for Residential Clients

1. We will offer a placement to a person if, after reading the reports and undertaking assessments, we genuinely believe we can provide a safe, caring environment for that person and that we can address, with some expectation of success, his/her needs.
2. Initial enquiries can be received directly from a client, their advocate, family or social worker.
3. An initial visit to look around, ask questions and meet staff and other clients is welcomed from the client and their family.
4. The social worker would also be invited to visit Dorincourt, to ensure the placement and environment are suitable.
5. Dorincourt will send out requests for appropriate referral information regarding the person, including educational reports, psychological assessments, social history, and their current situation.
6. Once all the information has been received it is assessed and, if appropriate, the person will be invited to attend a 5-day residential assessment. This would need to be agreed and funded by social services.
7. Once the assessment is completed, Dorincourt will produce a written report outlining what we can offer to the person, the weekly charges and an offer of a placement.
8. If the needs of the person can not be met appropriately a placement will not be offered. We would, however, ensure that the funding authority was given clear reasons as to why we felt unable to do so.
9. Agreement to the funding of the placement is normally the responsibility of social services, unless the person already has an individualised budget.
10. Once funding has been agreed, an admission date can be set.
11. On admission, it is expected that the Social Worker will notify the relevant Social Service Departments as required.
12. The placing authority is responsible for arranging and conducting any reviews.

Residential Placements

Dorincourt is open for 52 weeks a year; although there are short breaks in the sessions and activities provided around Christmas, Easter and in August.