Admission criteria

Admissions are on a planned basis. In exceptional circumstances support may be provided for a young person who has been assessed as in need of accommodation and immediate risk and for whom no other more appropriate placement is available. In such circumstances, the age criteria must still be met.

Young people who meet the age and admissions criteria are, if possible, introduced to the home prior to moving in to live there. A Key worker for the young person is allocated at the point of introduction. All necessary documentation regarding the young person should be provided by the Social/Case Worker prior to or on the day of admission.

It is an expectation for Social/Case Workers to arrange the young person’s placement planning meeting within 72 hours of placement

Age range, gender and numbers of young people: 

Young people at Step4ward services are aged from 16 years to less than 25 years; young people engaged in higher education may stay on longer with the consent from the placing authority.

The service accommodates both young men and young women. It is important to note, however, that places cannot be offered on the basis of gender. It is therefore unlikely that there will be an equal ratio of young women and young men.

Any special needs of young people:

The particular needs of any young people who become looked after at Step4ward services are covered within Section 3. As a general rule, Step4ward services does not provide support for disabled young people. There may, however, with access to the appropriate premises be occasions when a young person with mild learning and/or physical disabilities is placed in the service. In such circumstances, specialist support to meet the young person’s particular needs would be arranged prior to admission and monitored through the reviewing processes already in place.

Type of accommodation including sleeping arrangements: 

Step4ward services have several 4-5 bed houses in and around the Kent/Medway areas. They are on an excellent public transport route with good rail and bus links. There are a wide range of amenities within the nearby area, including beaches, Westwood Cross Shopping Centre, Revolution Skate Park, leisure centres and swimming pools.