For professionals and funding authorities
Make a referral to Bellus
Send us what you have and we will give you a straight answer on whether we can safely meet the person’s needs. An incomplete referral still gets a response — we will tell you what else we need rather than sitting on it.
Referrals line: REFERRALS PHONE · Referrals inbox: REFERRALS EMAIL
Start with a conversation if you can
A ten-minute call before a formal referral usually saves everyone time. It establishes whether Bellus is a realistic option before you prepare documents, and it means we can tell you early if someone else would be a better fit.
If you would rather send the referral first, that is fine too. Either route reaches the same team, and the review process is identical.
We accept referrals from local authorities, ICBs and CHC teams, hospital discharge and community mental health teams, brokerage, case managers, social workers, therapists, existing providers, housing partners, solicitors and deputies, and directly from families.
What we need to review a referral properly
- A current needs assessment, or the most recent one available
- Any risk assessment and positive behaviour support plan in place
- Relevant health information, including diagnoses and prescribed medication
- Capacity and best-interests decisions relevant to accommodation and care
- Any DoLS, Court of Protection order or Section 117 aftercare status
- The funding route and the authority or team holding the budget
- Communication needs, sensory needs and known triggers
- Who else is involved — family, advocate, care coordinator, current provider
- Any deadline you are working to, and what happens if it is missed
Send what you have. Documents can be uploaded securely once the online form is live; until then, email is the fastest route and we will confirm receipt.
Three ways to make a referral
Secure online form
The 10-step referral form with document upload is being built. Until it is live, use phone or email.
Send the referral and supporting documents to REFERRALS EMAIL. We will confirm receipt and give you a named contact.
Phone
Call REFERRALS PHONE to talk it through first. Office hours: OFFICE HOURS. Out of hours: OUT-OF-HOURS ROUTE.
What happens after you send a referral
- 1
Initial discussion
A short conversation about the person’s needs and current situation, so we can tell you early whether Bellus is a realistic option.
- 2
Referral and documents
Formal submission with supporting documents attached.
- 3
Information review
Our clinical and operational teams confirm whether we can safely meet the person’s needs.
- 4
Specialist assessment
A face-to-face or virtual assessment with the person, their family and any current provider.
- 5
MDT review
Our internal multidisciplinary team formulates a support strategy and confirms whether we can offer a safe placement.
- 6
Compatibility assessment
For supported living, a formal assessment of compatibility with existing tenants, the environment and the community.
- 7
Funding and placement proposal
Detailed costings, a proposed support plan and a transition proposal, submitted to you.
- 8
Transition planning
Familiarisation visits, person-specific staff training and any environmental adaptations.
- 9
Move-in
Support commences with a team already trained and briefed on this person.
- 10
Reviews
A structured initial review, then ongoing outcome reviews. CONFIRM REVIEW INTERVALS
What you can expect from us, and when
SLA 1
Initial clinical and operational review, and a clear yes or no on whether we are pursuing the referral.
SLA 2
Specialist assessment arranged with everyone who needs to be there.
SLA 3
Placement proposal and full costings submitted to the funding authority.
These commitments are pending confirmation by Bellus. We will not publish a response time the service cannot operationally hold.
Questions about referrals
1Can a family make a referral directly?
Yes. If you are a family member, start on our Refer Someone page, or just call us — you do not need paperwork to begin.
2What if the referral is urgent?
Say so when you contact us. CONFIRM EMERGENCY REFERRAL AND START TIMEFRAMES.
3What happens to the information I send?
It is handled under UK GDPR. Health and care information is special category data, so it is stored securely, shared only with the people who need it to assess the referral, and retained under our published schedule. See our privacy policy.
4Will you tell me if you decline?
Yes, and we will tell you why. Saying no early is more useful to you than saying yes slowly.
5Can I send a referral you have already declined?
Yes, if something material has changed — the funded hours, the environment, or the person’s needs. Tell us what changed.
Not sure whether to refer yet?
Call and describe the situation. We will tell you honestly whether Bellus is a realistic option, including if the answer is that someone else would suit the person better.
Referrals inbox: REFERRALS EMAIL · General enquiries: [email protected]