Page 1 of 4
The John Townsend Trust
Working names within The John Townsend Trust
The Royal School for Deaf Children Margate
Westgate College
Community Living Services
Monkshill Farm
If you have difficulty reading or understanding this document, please request a larger print format
or further support from our HR Department
ADMISSIONS POLICY AND PROCEDURE
THE ROYAL SCHOOL FOR DEAF CHILDREN MARGATE
CHILDREN’S HOME
This policy relates to referrals into the Children’s Home. Where a residential and educational
placement is required, the Trust’s Admissions Policy should also be referred to.
Direct referrals should be sent to the Responsible Individual (RI) and/or Registered Manager (RM) of
the Children’s Home.
Vicky Wills – RI
Wayne Ross – RM
e-mail: vwills@rsdcm.org.uk – Mobile: 07881 316979
e-mail: wross@rsdcm.org.uk – Mobile 07824 143226
Address:
The Royal School for Deaf Children Margate – Children’s Home
Victoria Road
Margate
Kent CT9 1NB
Each young person referred for admission is considered on their special needs and the capability of
the Children’s Home to meet those needs.
Due to the complex needs of the young people, the Children’s Home does not take emergency
placements.
PROCEDURES
Enquiries and Referrals:
Referrals for consideration for admission are predominantly made by the young persons’ Local
Authority, Social Services or Health Authority.

Discussion with the RI or RM may assist decisions about placement or about making
referrals.

Enquiries in relation to the School and College should be made to the Admissions Secretary
and Funding and Contract Officer at The Royal School for Deaf Children, Victoria Road,
Margate, Kent, CT9 1NB Telephone: 01843 222481 (referrals can come via this route).

All applications for placement should be made by those commissioning, the Local Authority
(in the case of joint funding, the person arranging the commissioning of the placement
D:\687313183.doc
Page 2 of 4
should co-ordinate the arrangements e.g. the Local Authority should co-ordinate funding
from the Health & Social Services).

Decisions with regard to the suitability of placement at the Children’s Home will be assisted
by informal visits and discussions with the Children’s Home Manager in conjunction with the
Education Manager.
Prior to admission:

Parents or carers who wish to arrange an informal visit to the Children’s Home will be sent a
copy of the Statement of Purpose and Children’s Guide which will be included in the School
Prospectus.

During a visit to the School, an informal visit is arranged to assess if the Children’s Home is
suitable for the young person (or may follow a recommendation by the Local Authority).

As part of this visit, parents or carers and the prospective young person meet informally
with the Responsible Individual or Registered Manager, the relevant Senior Managers and
other specialist staff, such as the Medical Centre.

Information from this initial visit, together with reports from previous placements, advice
from annual reviews, Statement of Special Educational Needs or Education Health Care
Plans are used to determine the placement at the School and Children’s Home.

If necessary, following an initial visit and in order to ensure successful placement, the young
person will be offered a 1 or 2 day assessment when they can be assessed by a specialist,
medical, educational and Children’s Home staff. This determines the appropriate levels of
support and fee band required to meet the young persons’ special needs.

In some cases, particularly if a young person requires special preparation for the transition
from their previous residential and/or educational environment to the Children’s Home and
School, an additional visit(s) is recommended, during the term prior to admission.

On occasions staff may visit a young person in their current setting or at home as part of the
assessment process.

Following an assessment, in order to enhance the matching process, the young person’s
placement plan will be requested from the social worker.

The levels of support and fee will then be forwarded to the Local Authority.
Upon placement/admission:

The young person is placed within a home considered most appropriate on the basis of age,
levels of communication, additional needs and the compatibility of the home.

The young person will be allocated a Key Worker, who will also link with the educational
staff monthly to review progress of the young person.

The young person’s placement in the Children’s Home compliments their educational
placement by providing an appropriate peer group, particularly in communication
interaction and for social and leisure activities, which are part of the enrichment curriculum.

A placement plan must be in place within 5 days of the start of the placement for all young
people.
D:\687313183.doc
Page 3 of 4
Reviews:
All young people will have regular reviews as determined in Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement
and Case Review and in accordance with the Children’s Homes National Minimum Standards.
Placement review invites will be sent by The Royal School for Deaf Children every 6 months and will
work in conjunction with the young person’s education reviews.
Author:
Vicky Wills – Children’s Services Manager and Responsible Individual January 2015
Reviewed and Approved: Wendy Eadsforth – CEO/Principal – January 2015
Next Review due:
January 2016
(EPIA July 2011)
D:\687313183.doc
Page 4 of 4
The John Townsend Trust
Royal School for Deaf Children Margate
Westgate College for Deaf People
Community Living Services
Monkshill Farm
ADMISSIONS PROCEDURE FOR CHILDREN’S HOME
INITIAL ENQUIRY TO REGISTERED MANAGER or RESPONSIBLE
INDIVIDUAL or FUNDING & CONTRACTS OFFICER
Visit to School &
Children’s Home
Follow up letter to parents/carers
and young people
Information received.
LA, Social Workers (including Placement Plan)
Parents / Carers and other professionals
Assessment Visit
Decision
School & Children’s
Home placement
Confirmed by
RSDCM
Unable to meet young person’s needs Do not admit
ADMIT
D:\687313183.doc