Forensic placements
SLS assesses supported-housing referrals involving forensic mental health or criminal justice services. We consider the person’s goals, assessed needs and relevant conditions alongside the suitability of the proposed home.
Start with the person
A referral starts a discussion with the person and the professionals involved. We explore whether an appropriate home and funded support package can be agreed, with clear roles for housing, support and any clinical or statutory services.
Progress can mean maintaining stability as well as learning something new.
A forensic referral may involve a person receiving support from forensic mental health or criminal justice services. It requires a clear understanding of the person’s needs and goals, the proposed setting and the roles of the professionals involved.
SLS assesses adult referrals individually. The referring team needs to establish the relevant clinical and statutory requirements. A service enquiry does not confirm acceptance, discharge approval or suitability for a particular set of conditions.
Everyday support
These are the areas to explore with us. The specific help, adjustments and staff arrangements are agreed through assessment and your support plan.
The referral should explain what the person hopes to gain from a move, what support they currently receive and why a different setting is being considered. Their preferences and everyday strengths are part of the assessment alongside clinical and risk information.
The proposed arrangement needs named contacts and a clear division of responsibilities. Housing and everyday support sit alongside any required clinical care, supervision or statutory involvement; the parties should establish how they will work together.
Any relevant conditions or restrictions must be considered against the actual property, location and support arrangements. The assessment needs sufficient information to judge whether a service can work within the agreed plan and protect the people involved.
Practical support can focus on the tasks involved in having a home and organising a week. The discussion should identify what the person can do independently, where support is needed and how routines fit with appointments or other agreed commitments.
A community placement needs clarity about continuing healthcare and any medication assistance. Existing plans, contact routes and specialist input should be identified before the move, with responsibilities recorded for the proposed service.
A support plan can include personal interests, learning, volunteering or other meaningful activity. These should be chosen with the person and considered within the professional advice and any conditions applying to the placement.
The right setting
Suitability is a decision about a particular home and support arrangement. The referring team and SLS need to consider the property and neighbourhood alongside the person’s wishes and all relevant clinical, support and statutory requirements.
Compare homes and locationsExplore homes described as self-contained in the directory. Confirm the exact facilities, access and support arrangement for the property you are considering.
Other homes offer bedrooms or accommodation with some shared facilities. Ask which spaces are private, what is shared and how everyday arrangements work.
Floating support offers planned visits in East and South London. Discuss local coverage, visit arrangements and whether the service can meet your assessed needs.
Explore floating supportThese existing service descriptions include mental health and forensic referrals. Explore their accommodation, then confirm current availability and individual suitability with the team.
Wandsworth, South West London
Fourteen fully furnished, self-contained one-bedroom flats.
View this home
Stratford, Newham, East London
Five fully furnished one-bedroom flats for male residents.
View this home
Hackney, East London
Five fully furnished bedrooms in a high-quality shared home.
View this homeReferral and assessment
A short enquiry can establish whether a fuller discussion is appropriate. Detailed assessment requires current information from the referring professionals through an agreed secure route, with the person involved in the process.
Start with a brief enquiry. Keep clinical reports, detailed risk information and identity documents for the secure sharing arrangements explained by the referrals team.
Information for professionalsA transition is planned around the person, suitable availability and the arrangements agreed with everyone involved.
Identify the purpose of the move and which professionals need to be involved in the decision. Clarify the information and approvals required before making arrangements.
Consider the person and the particular home together. Agree whether and how a visit can take place within the relevant clinical advice and applicable conditions.
Record responsibilities, staffing, funding, healthcare, relevant conditions and escalation routes. Agree who coordinates the handover and the practical arrangements for the move.
Set the review arrangements with the person and involved professionals. Consider whether the setting and support remain suitable and how any change will be addressed.
A plan you understand
Your housing agreement and care or support plan cover different things. Before a placement begins, you should understand the help included, who provides it and how it will be paid for.
An example to discuss
“I want a settled weekly routine that includes something I enjoy.”
The person should have a clear explanation of the proposed arrangement and an opportunity to express their wishes. Family members, advocates or other supporters may contribute where appropriate, with information sharing agreed through the relevant process.
Reviews need to bring together the person’s experience and the relevant professional information. Everyday wellbeing and progress towards personal goals should be considered alongside the requirements of the agreed placement.
Your questions
The existing descriptions for Upper Richmond House, Astra House and Redwood House include mental health and forensic referrals. They are linked below so you can explore their location and accommodation. Their inclusion does not confirm a vacancy or suitability for an individual; assessment and the required professional agreements remain essential.
These pages describe supported housing and everyday support. They do not establish a secure inpatient service or a particular clinical rehabilitation programme. Any required clinical care, statutory supervision or specialist intervention must be identified by provider and agreed as part of the proposed pathway.
A professional can start an enquiry to discuss a potential referral. Explain the current setting, the purpose of the move and the relevant teams involved. Acceptance depends on a full assessment of the person, service capability, applicable conditions, funding and required approvals; there is no automatic pathway from a particular setting.
The referring professionals should provide the relevant current requirements through the agreed secure process. They must be considered alongside the location, accommodation, staffing and the person’s support needs. SLS and the involved teams need a clear, workable arrangement before a placement can be agreed.
The provider of each clinical or statutory function must be explicitly identified in the proposed plan. It should not be assumed to be included in a housing or support offer. Agree named contacts, responsibilities, review arrangements and escalation routes with the relevant professionals.
Give your professional contact details, the current setting, broad support requirements, preferred location and proposed timescale. Explain any urgent placement issue without including detailed clinical records or risk documents in the initial web form. The referrals team will arrange the appropriate route for the assessment material.
Explain the urgency when contacting referrals during working hours. A proposed move still requires suitable availability, assessment, agreed support, funding and any relevant approvals. The team cannot guarantee a placement or discharge date at the initial enquiry stage.
The whole person
You do not need to fit into one category. These pages may also be helpful.
Explore independent information from the NHS and NICE.
A conversation is a good place to start
Tell us what matters to you, where you would like to live and the support you need.
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Send a brief enquiry first. We’ll explain how to share any supporting documents.