Referring agencies are encouraged to make informal enquiries in the first instance and to send details of their prospective resident to the Registered Manager. In some instances this involves liaison between Ashcroft House and solicitors, children's guardians and preparation of reports, including assessments of suitability for the rehabilitation programme for Courts to consider.

Prospective residents will be asked to complete a confidential application form AA03 for Ashcroft House.

The prospective resident and her children (if applicable) will be invited to visit Ashcroft House and meet with at least two members of staff. She will be expected to use the opportunity to meet some of the women residing at the House, look around the facilities and have informal discussions about the House and the programme. The purpose of this visit will be to determine whether the rehabilitation programmes at Ashcroft House can meet the needs of the prospective resident.

Other factors that will need to be taken into consideration include:

• Housing accommodation at the time of application and at the end of the programme;
• Partnerships and personal relationships;
• Family circumstances;
• Extent and nature of any family breakdown;
• Community resources available to support resettlement;
• Children's assessed needs.

The prospective resident's attitude, abilities and understanding of her parental responsibility for the care of her children whilst at Ashcroft House will be discussed and evaluated. The applicants' ability to meet her children's needs and assurance that they will receive adequate care will be considered.

Following the assessment visit, the staff at Ashcroft House will consider the outcome in consultation with the referring agency and any other agency involved e.g. Family Court. If all parties are in agreement (the Ashcroft House staff and residents, the prospective resident, the Family Court and the referring agency), then a placement will be offered and a date agreed for admission. If there is not an immediate vacancy, then an estimated date for admission will be given. The referring agency will then be responsible for maintaining weekly contact with Ashcroft House staff who will endeavour to assist the referring agency in maintaining the prospective resident's motivation until she can be offered a place.

Please click on the link below to download the following:

• AA01- REFERRAL PROCEDURE  
• AA02- REFFERAL FORM (For completion by referring agency)  
• AA03- APPLICATION FORM (For completion by a prospective resident)  

Limitations on women who can be considered

In order to maintain the aims and objectives of the House and a safe and secure environment for residents and children, women with any of the following specified conditions or history may be considered unsuitable for Ashcroft House:

• Women who do not have parental rights and responsibilities for their children and womenwho cannot provide adequate care for their children.
• Women with cautions or convictions in respect of offences against children.
• Women with a history of violence or persistent threatening or aggressive behaviour.
• Women with a conviction for arson.
• Women who pose a threat to themselves or to others by virtue of mental illness or personality problems.

None of the limitations above will preclude consideration being given to women whose children may be the subjects of conditions or requirements regarding access and care arrangements. Nor are will they preclude consideration being given to women who may have a history which includes some of the limitations stated. Individual referrals will be considered on their merits at the time of assessment for admission. The deciding factor will be whether their current condition, behaviour and state of mind is such that they may be admitted without being considered to pose a risk to the other residents or their children.

Contact with and involvement of referring agencies The staff at Ashcroft House expect each referring agency to advise them of the name of the agency worker(s) with responsibility for the resident and her children accepted for the rehabilitation programme. This worker will be expected to maintain regular contact with Ashcroft House and the residents' key worker, to attend reviews at agreed intervals and to participate actively in the preparation for, implementation and maintenance of the resettlement arrangements.

It is hoped that placing/funding agencies will keep Ashcroft House informed of the progress made by residents and children following resettlement in the community. Feedback is welcomed on the programmes provided so that any necessary changes and improvements can be introduced to ensure that Ashcroft House remains responsive to residents'needs.