Referral Enquiries
Referral Procedure
We appreciate that there is often an element of urgency when a placing officer or social worker is endeavouring to obtain a suitable placement for a young person. It is our policy therefore to give an immediate confirmation whether we can accommodate the young person, or within at least 30 minutes for more challenging situations. The only caveat to this is that we must be in receipt of sufficient information concerning the young person’s needs and circumstances. Mindful therefore of the time constraints that often appertain our Duty Managers are prepared with pro-formers to enable them to take sufficient information to enable a decision by telephone. We will then request that a comprehensive Referral Form and a Financial Agreement Form are completed as soon as practicable thereafter together with relevant information and reports.
Having then agreed details for pick up of the young person we will dispatch our care staff who are trained to be prompt, friendly and efficient. They will be in possession of a personalised Young Person’s Handbook and Welcome Pack which includes new bedding and toiletries to make him or her feel important and make the handover of responsibility as calm and painless as possible. We will do our utmost to make the Young Person feel safe, happy and cared in order for them to acclimatise to their new environment.
It is our policy not to charge for education, contact with family, other transportation or extras. We endeavour to make the placement process as expedient as we can for the young person, his or her carers and the placing authority staff and Social Worker.
Testimonials
“Communication with staff/managers is very good which contributes to the effect of Social Work involvement”
Social Worker, Fife, 2009
“It is difficult for care staff to remain impassive to the young person and to contribute to keeping the rules/boundaries/routines but your staff are able to provide the young person with all the skills, they are very proficient”
Social Worker, Dumfries & Galloway, 2008
“Impressed with committment of staff in a challenging placement”
Social Worker, Falkirk, 2008
“Many thanks for your services”
Senior Practitioner, Falkirk, 2008
“Thank you so much for all the support you have given to him over the past months. He has made so much progress and it’s all down to the hard work of your staff”
Parent, Scottish Borders, 2008.
“Your care worker was so very understanding, and yet was able to challenge him and set the necessary boundaries to keep his charge safe”
Family Group Co-ordinator, Falkirk, 2007
“He came home from Active Ark a different boy, he is more settled and content”
Parent, 2009
“The placement provided a good opportunity for her to take part in new activities in a safe environment”
Social Worker, Falkirk, 2008
“I feel that Active Ark workers do well in sometimes challenging situations”
Social Worker, Scottish Borders, 2009
“Your care worker had a great deal of patience with my Son, I think he went beyond the call of duty with him”
Parent, 2009
“A challenging placement, the care provided by Active ark was consistently appropriate”
Social Worker, Dumfries & Galloway, 2007
“The flexibility of both care staff and management enabled her to have input into her care whilst providing the protection that she needed”
Social Worker, Redcar and Cleveland, 2009
“Staff clearly knew the young people well and were sensitive to their individual needs and preferences”
Care Commission Inspector, 2008
“I rate your service 9 out of 10 – you listened”
Young Person, 2008
“The standards of care at Active Ark are excellent and your Duty Managers systems work exceptionally well – always helpful and effective in my experiences with Active Ark”
Senior Practitioner, Falkirk, 2008
“The staff seem to have a good rapport with the family”
Social Worker, Falkirk, 2009
“Active Ark are always very helpful and provide a first class service”
Social Worker, Falkirk, 2009
“It is acknowledged that staff were very often under a lot of stress when looking after her and considering this, their responses and standard of care was excellent”
Social Worker, Redcar and Cleveland, 2009.
“Staff were very caring towards him and ensured that his needs were met”
Social Worker, Cumbria, 2009
“Your involvement reduced the risks for the young person and for myself”
Social Worker, Fife, 2009
“A high level of care offered for a challenging child and difficult family situation”
Social Worker, Falkirk, 2008
“The staff are good and fair and will always treat you with respect”
Young Person, 2008
“Active Ark have always demonstrated fully their reliability and commitment to their work”
Social Worker, Scottish Borders ,2009
“Staff stated that they enjoyed strong support from the management team”
Care Commission Inspector, 2008
“Active Ark provided him with a very holistic model of carewhich included working with his whole family. This worked very well for him and definitely contributed to the progress he has made”
Social Worker, Scottish Borders, 2009
“Keep up the good work and thank you for all your help”
Social Worker, Dumfries and Galloway, 2009.
“Very happy, Active Ark will always support you”
Young Person, 2008
“Embracing and working with the whole family to ensure the young person remains an important and included member worked well and helped with solving problems and building resiliences”
Social Worker, Scottish Borders, 2009
“The care staff, especially his key worker, helped rebuild his trust in adults and helped him mature as a person”
Social Worker, Scottish Borders, 2009
“I would rate your service as 10 out of 10 - I felt safe all the time”
Young Person, 2008
“Active Ark’s service is very competent and well organised”
Social Worker, Dumfries & Galloway, 2008
“You presented ability to support her for any aspect of her needs”
Social Worker, Fife, 2009
“The continuity of staff who in turn were clearly committed to the young person . There was a good sense of this leading to a good and supportive relationship with the young person”
Social Worker, Falikirk, 2009
“Thank you very much for the help you gave to my boys while they were with you. I will not forget your caring and patience and the time you dedicated to helping them and talking to them through their time at Active Ark. I know you have made an impact on their lives for the better”
Parent, Falkirk, 2009.