Referrals from Local Authorities
Karuna Care London will primarily receive referrals through local authority channels. When a social worker or care manager identifies an individual who could benefit from our services, they can refer them to us for placement consideration. Typically, this process begins after the individual has undergone a Care Act needs assessment by the local council’s adult social services. The social worker will contact our admissions team (by phone or secure email) to discuss the placement and provide relevant documentation, such as the person’s care assessment report, support plan, and any risk or medical information. We will acknowledge all referrals promptly and begin the review process without delay.
Eligibility Criteria
We will accept referrals for adults with assessed care needs that match the services we are registered to provide. All prospective residents must meet the eligibility criteria set by their local authority for funded support. In practice, this means the individual should have been assessed as having needs that require residential care or supported living support (for example, help with personal care, daily living tasks, or supervision for safety). Our service will cater to the level of care we are equipped to deliver – we will be clear about our specialisms and any limitations. During the referral review, we verify that the person’s needs (physical, emotional, and social) can be safely and appropriately met by our staff and facilities. If an individual has very complex needs or requires a type of care outside our scope, we would communicate this to the referring professional and possibly suggest alternative pathways.
Local Authority Funding Approvals
For local authority-funded clients, a crucial step is the funding approval. We understand that councils have procedures (such as panel reviews or budget authorisations) to approve the funding for a placement. Karuna Care London will work hand-in-hand with Hillingdon Council (or the referring borough) during this stage. We will promptly provide any information the funding panel may need about our service, such as our future CQC registration status, care model, and fee structure. While the council evaluates the funding request, we remain in close contact with the social worker, ready to clarify details or adjust plans as needed.
What professionals can expect from us during the placement process is proactive cooperation: timely completion of provider forms, transparency about costs and terms, and open dialogue. Once the local authority confirms funding for the placement, we coordinate with them to move forward quickly with the next steps (assessment, care planning, and admission arrangements). Our aim is to remove any unnecessary hurdles so that the individual can transition into care as soon as everything is agreed.
Throughout the arrangement of a placement, referring professionals will find our process clear and responsive. We know that arranging care can be urgent or complex, so we strive to keep everyone informed. Whether it’s an urgent hospital discharge needing placement in days or a planned move from one home to another, Karuna Care London will tailor the process to fit the timeline — always maintaining the required diligence and person-centred focus.