For Professionals
For social workers, brokerage and placement teams, commissioning managers, and anyone else making or considering a referral to Ashden Support.
Cohort
We support looked-after young people aged 16 and 17, including care leavers and unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people (UASC). We work with young people placed by local authorities across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.
All referrals go through a pre-placement assessment. We look at each young person's current needs, history, and whether semi-independent living is appropriate at this point. We take a practical view and work with the referring professional to understand the full picture before agreeing a placement.
Where a young person's needs require residential care under the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, or exceed what a supported accommodation model can safely provide, we will tell you clearly and promptly so you can continue your search.
Quick reference
- Age range
- 16 and 17
- Cohort
- LAC, care leavers, UASC
- Placement type
- Semi-independent supported accommodation
- Regulation
- Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023
- Ofsted URN
- 2907824
- Geographic area
- Birmingham and West Midlands
- Staff qualifications
- Qualified, trained workforce
- Response time
- Within 24 hours on working days
Referral process
Initial contact
Send a referral summary to info@ashdensupport.co.uk or call +44 7507 112 497. Include the young person's age, current local authority, and a brief outline of their current situation and needs.
Acknowledgement within 24 hours
We acknowledge all referrals within 24 hours on working days. We will either confirm we have capacity and want to proceed to assessment, or advise we are unable to take the referral and explain why.
Assessment
We review the referral information and, where appropriate, arrange a pre-placement discussion. We will tell you clearly if the young person is not suitable for this service before any placement is agreed.
Placement agreement
We issue a placement agreement before the young person moves in. This sets out fees, notice periods, reporting arrangements, and the terms of the placement.
Move-in and induction
The young person is introduced to the property, their keyworker, and the house routines. The RSM is available during the move-in period. An initial support plan is produced within 28 days.
What happens after a placement begins.
The young person's named keyworker is confirmed before move-in. The RSM is present or available throughout the induction period.
A support plan is produced within 28 days and sent to the placing authority. It covers daily living, education and employment, health, relationships, and goals for the placement period.
Progress reviews are held at the frequency agreed with the placing authority. The RSM attends reviews where requested. Between reviews, daily logs are available on request and significant events are reported within 24 hours.
Hamza Yusuf remains your named point of contact for the duration of the placement. If anything significant happens, you will hear from us first.
Reporting to placing authorities.
- Individual support plan (within 28 days of placement)
- Daily logs, available to the placing authority on request
- Incident reports, provided within 24 hours of a significant event
- Progress reviews at the frequency agreed with the placing authority
- Missing from placement notifications, in line with statutory requirements
- Placement agreement prior to move-in
- End of placement report
What you can expect from us.
Named manager, always
Hamza Yusuf is the named RSM and your main point of contact throughout any placement. You will not be passed between departments.
24-hour referral response
All referral enquiries receive a written response within 24 hours on working days. We confirm capacity and suitability before moving to assessment.
Transparent about fit
We carry out a pre-placement assessment on every referral. If a young person is not right for this service, we say so promptly.
Support plan within 28 days
An individual support plan is produced for every resident within 28 days of placement and shared with the placing authority.
Incident reports within 24 hours
Significant events are reported in writing to the placing authority within 24 hours. Daily logs are available on request.
Qualified, trained staff
All staff hold relevant qualifications in working with children and young people. Ongoing training is a standard requirement of the role.
Key policies
To request any policy, email info@ashdensupport.co.uk. We aim to respond within one working day.
Safeguarding
For urgent safeguarding concerns, contact the relevant local authority MASH directly. For concerns about a young person placed with us, contact the DSL first.
Designated safeguarding lead
Hamza Yusuf
Registered Service Manager
Framework
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023. All concerns referred to the appropriate local authority MASH.
Ready to refer?
Contact us by email or phone. We respond within 24 hours on working days. If we cannot take the placement, we will tell you promptly so you can continue your search.