Refer a young person to our school
Make a referral quickly and with confidence. Our team is here to help you find the right school place and the right support for the young person in your care.
Refer a child
We work with local authorities and professionals to provide the right educational placement for young people. We provide support that ensures each pupil receives the education and opportunities they need to thrive.
We accept referrals from local authorities and professionals looking for high-quality specialist education and SEND support across the East Midlands. Our team works quickly to understand each young person's needs and to identify the right school place for them.
Get in touch with our referrals team to discuss a school place or to find out more about current availability.
Our referral process
From initial enquiry to placement, our referrals team is on hand to guide you through every step, ensuring the right match between a young person's needs and the support we can offer.
Submit initial referral information
Provide key details about the young person, their needs and the circumstances leading to the referral. The more information shared at this stage, the more accurately we can assess suitability.
Assessment and compatibility review
Our Admissions Team reviews the referral in full, considering the young person's profile, needs, education history and the support required. We then check availability across our school to identify a suitable match.
Decision and professional discussion
If a school place may be appropriate, we contact the referrer to discuss the young person's needs in more detail. This includes reviewing recent reports, EHCPs, behaviour summaries and any safeguarding considerations.
School-level review and planning
The school's leadership team assesses the referral to ensure they can meet the young person's needs safely and effectively. If agreed, we begin planning the admission, including timetabling, routines and initial support strategies.
School place agreement and confirmation
Once both teams agree that the placement is appropriate, we confirm acceptance in writing. We outline expectations, support arrangements, risk management and key information needed prior to admission.
Admission and welcome
On the day of arrival, staff greet the young person, help them settle in and introduce them to the school. We begin gathering further details, completing required checks and updating the education plan in partnership with professionals.
Criteria
Criteria for referrals
We use clear referral criteria to make sure each placement is safe, suitable and aligned with the young person's needs, helping us identify the right school place and provide the support required.
Suitable age range
Referrals must fall within the age range the school is registered to support. This ensures we can meet the developmental and safeguarding needs of the young person.
Assessed needs that match our provision
We accept referrals where the young person's emotional, behavioural and social needs can be safely supported within our small, nurturing school setting.
No current risks that cannot be managed
Referrals should not present risks that exceed the school's staffing ratio, therapeutic approach or environmental setup. We complete a full risk review before acceptance.
Commitment to collaboration
Successful placements rely on consistent communication. Referrers must be willing to share up-to-date reports, plans and professional insights to support effective care.
Clear placement purpose and outcomes
The referral should outline the aims of the placement, such as reintegration, assessment, or longer-term education, helping us tailor support to the young person's goals.
Ability to maintain family and community links
Where appropriate, the placement should support the young person's routines and healthy connections with family and community, ensuring continuity and stability from day one.
Learn more about how we support young people in our school.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to some of our most common questions about referrals.
Local authorities and professional partners can make referrals to our school.
We complete an assessment, review available school places and work with professionals to ensure suitability and the best outcomes.
Timescales vary, but we respond promptly and work closely with local authorities to meet urgent and planned admissions.
This depends on availability and the needs of the young person, but emergency admissions are sometimes possible.
Speak to our team
Refer a young person to our school
Our team is here to support you through every stage of the referral process. Please provide as much information as you can to help us understand the young person's needs and identify the most suitable school place. Once submitted, a member of our Admissions Team will review your referral promptly and get in touch to discuss availability.