Referral process

  • Programmes run throughout the year, so people can join at any time.
  • Students can come to Share for a minimum of one day and a maximum of five days a week, Monday to Friday.
  • The particular days of the week that a student attends Share are arranged in consultation with the student and course tutors.
  • Students may be referred by a social worker, health worker and other professionals such as disability employment advisers and support brokers.
  • Students may also refer themselves.

What happens when someone is referred to Share?

Referrals are usually made using our online referral form, (call 020 7924 2949 to make a referral over the phone if needed).

  1. Referral confirmed - within 48 hours we'll be in touch to discuss the individual's needs.

  2. Showaround - within one to two weeks we’ll get in touch to arrange a 'showaround’, during which time potential students and their parents and carers visit and we chat about goals and aspirations, behaviour support needs and health needs.

  3. Taster day - within one to two weeks after the completed 'showaround', we’ll arrange a taster day for people to try out some of our programmes to check that they’re suitable.

  4. Feedback - within two weeks of the final taster session, we'll be back in touch with feedback and to chat about how the taster sessions went.

  5. Place offered - we’ll offer a place within 48 hours of providing this feedback. (If we feel that another service provider would better meet the individual's needs, we'll make appropriate recommendations.)

  6. Start date agreed: 

  • If the individual is self-funded, we'll agree a start date within two weeks of making the offer.

  • If the individual is funded by the local authority, we'll follow up with them within six to eight weeks of the offer if the individual has an allocated social worker. 

  • If the individual does not have a social worker but is known to social services this will take 12-16 weeks. This will be longer if the individual is not known to social services, in which case we'd advise requesting a Care Act Assessment. 

  • Once the local authority has agreed to fund the placement, we'll agree a start date within two to four weeks. 

What happens when new students join us?

  1. When a student starts, we complete a student induction and make sure they are supported to settle in.
  2. During the first six weeks we’ll check in regularly with new students, and there’ll be a chance to explore learning outside core classes, for example, activities during free time and lunch, and getting involved with our advocacy projects.
  3. Six weeks after starting, we'll arrange a review meeting with students and their parents or carers to check things are working out, and we’ll adjust our plans if we need to.
  4. After that we run an annual review system for all students, Share reserves the right to call a review at any time if it is considered necessary.

Students can chat at any time to our dedicated wellbeing team who are always there to listen and support them.

Risk Assessments

  • We carry out a thorough risk assessment for each student during the initial inquiry process. Due to the vulnerable nature of our client group, we hold the right to refuse applicants who have a history of sexual violence towards others.
  • Share requests that any student with personal care needs must arrange to have a personal assistant to help them, either through social services or direct payments.

Costs and payment options

  • The cost of coming to Share depends on how many days a student would like to attend.
  • To fund places, students can use a personal budget if receiving payments direct.
  • If there is no personal budget, students can be referred by their social worker, health worker or other professionals such as disability employment advisers and support brokers.
  • Students can also self-refer if they wish to pay from their own funds.
Make a referral