01
Enquiry
Contact Mechex directly and share the broad context, timescale and intended outcome.
For commissioners and social workers
Clear information for careful decisions.
A practical starting point for professionals considering a placement, checking our approach or requesting the fuller Professional Placement Pack.
The Almond Tree
A small home with a clear matching test.
Birmingham-based, mixed-gender care for up to 2 children aged 7–17. We consider emotional and behavioural difficulties, trauma, attachment difficulties, disrupted education and complex emotional needs, subject to individual assessment, registration and safe matching.
Up to 2 children Matching before admission Ofsted application in progress
Ofsted status: The registration application is in progress. The URN will be added here once received.
Professional pack
The fuller evidence is available on request.
Request the controlled pack for the current Statement of Purpose, placement profile, safeguarding information, governance details and registration status.
Request the packPlacement conversation
A careful route from enquiry to admission.
The process keeps the child, the existing household and the placing professionals in view at every stage. Urgency is considered alongside the information needed for a safe decision.
02
Information and risk review
We review care, health, education, safeguarding, missing and exploitation information before a decision.
03
Manager discussion
The Registered Manager and relevant leaders discuss whether the home can safely meet the need.
04
Matching and location assessment
We consider compatibility, location risks, staffing, environment and the dynamics of the home.
05
Funding and terms
Where a placement may be suitable, the practical arrangements and expectations are agreed with the placing authority.
06
Transition plan
The child, their voice, relationships, education and contact arrangements inform the transition wherever possible.
07
Admission and review
The first 24–72 hours focus on safety, routines, health, relationships, risk and the child’s immediate experience.
Placement profile
The matching and safeguarding test comes first.
An urgent referral does not remove the matching test. We will decline or defer a referral where critical information is unavailable, risks cannot be safely managed, staffing cannot be mobilised or accepting the placement would compromise another child’s welfare.
Best suited to
- Children aged 7–17 with emotional and behavioural difficulties.
- Trauma, attachment difficulties, emotional dysregulation or disrupted education.
- Children who need stable relationships, therapeutic routines and a small home environment.
- Planned, crisis/emergency and therapeutic referrals where safe matching is demonstrated.
Requires detailed discussion
- Violence or aggression, self-harm, missing episodes or exploitation concerns.
- Fire-setting, substance misuse, sexually harmful behaviour or significant offending risk.
- Disability, neurodiversity or acute mental-health needs requiring specialist support.
- Court-directed arrangements, enhanced staffing or restrictions requiring careful review.
Not appropriate for this home
- Secure accommodation or restrictions equivalent to secure accommodation.
- Hospital-level medical treatment or specialist nursing that cannot be safely provided.
- A placement where assessed risks cannot be managed within the staffing model and premises.
- A referral where compatibility with children already living in the home cannot be shown.
How our care model works in practice
A clear operating rhythm around the child.
Our public proposition describes the principles. The professional pack explains the records, reviews and named responsibilities that turn them into everyday practice.
Before placement
Pre-placement assessment, matching, location risk, staffing and transition planning.
First 24–72 hours
Immediate safety, medication, health, routines, relationships, education and the child’s wishes and feelings.
Everyday key work
Consistent adults, reflective records, co-regulation, boundaries, positive activities and independence skills.
Professional review
Education, health, family/contact and multi-agency conversations are reviewed against the child’s plan.
Staff support
Supervision, team meetings, training and psychological consultation where required support safe practice.
Governance
Regulation 44 independent visits and Regulation 45 quality-of-care reviews once the home is operating within registration.
Future service pathway
A pathway that can grow with a child.
The planned model begins with a crisis move when immediate stability is needed. Where appropriate and safe, a child may later move into a settled home environment designed for around 3-4 children, with a longer-term aim of transition towards supported living and greater independence.
This is a planned service vision, not a guarantee or a fixed route. Every move depends on assessment, readiness, compatibility, safeguarding, commissioning and the child's plan.
Clinical psychology partner
Specialist input with the child at the centre.
Mechex works with Unity Psychology Services Limited, led by Nitisha Jiwa, Managing Director, BPS Chartered and HCPC Registered Forensic Psychologist.
The documented offer can include specialist assessment, formulation and recommendations, professional training, consultation with external care planning and internal provider meetings, psychologically informed information sheets, direct intervention when a child is ready, and clinical evaluation reports every six months.
Contact the clinical partner atnitisha@unitypsychologyservices.co.uk.
Outcomes framework
We will measure progress from day one.
These are measures to be tracked against each child’s starting point. They are not claims of results before the evidence exists.
- Placement stability and unplanned endings
- School attendance, engagement and progress
- Incidents, restraint and safeguarding notifications
- Missing episodes and exploitation concerns
- Health appointments and emotional wellbeing
- Family/contact goals and the child’s voice
- Independence, life skills and transition planning
Secure referral information
Please do not send identifiable child-level information through a public form.
Start with a direct conversation. Once contact is established, we will agree the approved secure-transfer route for sensitive referral information and documents.
Documents available through the professional route.
Statement of Purpose
Placement profile
Safeguarding and child protection
Behaviour and missing-from-care arrangements
Complaints and advocacy information
Governance and quality assurance overview