Referrals and Admissions

Click here to download a referral form

Referrals usually start with contact from the referring agency, e.g. CPNs, GPs, psychiatrists, probation officers, social workers.  Based on the information provided, the potential client may be invited to come for a preliminary visit (see FAQs for reasons why someone might not be suitable).  This visit is informal and is a chance for the prospective client and their referrer to meet some of the staff team and ask any questions.  This visit is usually arranged over lunch and allows the prospective peer to meet the current peer group and vice versa.  This visit usually lasts two or three hours and there is no charge.  

If the prospective client wishes to continue the process, we would advise referrers to start to seek funding, since this can be a lengthy process.

The next stage is to come unaccompanied for three days, staying at the community as a guest.  During this visit, psychological testing using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 2 (MMPI2), and if necessary the Rorschach Test, is carried out.  A risk assessment is made and an extensive history is taken.  Once this stage has been completed and a report prepared a decision is made whether to offer the client a place.

Once a peer has been accepted into the community, there is a probationary period of three months, during which time we would expect a peer to work towards understanding the rules and processes of the community.  After this time peers are expected to engage actively in their own therapy, since this is a condition of residence.