Both day and residential placements are available each academic year. We advise potential learners to apply 18 months in advance of their desired start date. In brief, the stages of the admissions process are as follows:

1. As appropriate, the potential learner and his/her family make an informal initial visit to the appropriate service.
2. The Connexions Personal Advisor sends a written referral to the Placements and Admissions Department.
3. The Placements and Admissions Department sends out Pre-assessment Questionnaires to the learner, parents, current school/college/residential service and social worker.
4. ESPA gathers information from previous placements, social services, health professionals etc.
5. All information is reviewed by the Admissions Panel which is comprised of Principal, Deputy Principal, Centre Coordinators, Residential Manager, General Manager of Residential Services, Consultant Psychologist and Consultant Psychiatrist. The panel decides whether to progress the application to the next stage which is to invite the young person for an (overnight) assessment visit.
6. Overnight/day assessment visit takes place.
7. ESPA forwards its assessment documents to the Connexions Personal Advisor / LEA representative.
8. The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) holds a placement meeting.
9. If all funding is confirmed (including 4 weeks Social Services top-up for residential places) then the placement is formally offered in writing.
   

Lifelong Residential Provision
Availability of placements in our Lifelong Residential Services is very limited. Please contact the Placements and Admissions Department for further information.