For placing authorities and social workers
The right placement matters more than filling a place.
Every referral is considered against what Hammond House can genuinely provide, the needs of the child and the impact on children already living in the home. Where the fit is not right, we will say so clearly.
At a glance.
- Location Colchester, Essex
- Capacity Up to 3 children
- Age range 7–17
- Gender All genders
- Service profile Emotional and behavioural needs
- Education External education arrangements supported
- Approach Relationship-based and therapeutically informed
- Ofsted Registered · URN 2867073
Leadership and oversight
Hammond House is led day to day by Nancy Bwalya, the Registered Manager, with provider oversight and support from Cristina Giugiuca, the Responsible Individual.
Staffing and progress
Staffing is planned around each child’s assessed needs and agreed placement plan.
Safety · emotional wellbeing · relationships · education · health and interests · growing independence. The detail is individual to each child; the home’s role is to turn the placement plan into everyday practice and keep testing whether it is helping. The Outcome Star supports structured review with the child.
Stage 1: what helps us give you a useful first answer.
At this stage we need only enough to tell you whether a conversation is worth having. Please keep it non-identifying.
The essentials
The child’s age band, the placing authority, the broad reason for placement and the timescale you are working to.
The wider picture
Education position at a high level, any major known compatibility considerations, and the broad staffing or supervision need.
Not at this stage
Please keep names, dates of birth, addresses, detailed safeguarding history, diagnoses and case records out of first contact. Stage 2 uses an approved secure channel.
Our matching process.
Initial conversation
We establish the essentials and whether the referral appears broadly within the home’s remit.
Secure information review
Stage 2. Detailed referral and care information is exchanged through an approved secure channel — never through this website.
Multi-disciplinary consideration
Care needs, risk, compatibility with children already living at the home, staffing, therapeutic needs, education, health, family contact and locality.
Clear decision
The placing authority receives a considered response, including where the home is not the right match.
Transition planning
Where a placement is agreed, transition is paced according to the child’s needs and circumstances.
Urgent placement discussions.
Emergency admissions can only be considered where there is enough information to make a safe decision, and where the move will not create an unacceptable risk for the child or for children already living at Hammond House.
For anything urgent, please call rather than using the form. The placements line is answered during office hours; outside those hours, leave a message and we will return your call.
Information governance
This website is not an approved channel for confidential case information. Stage 1 collects only non-identifying detail. If an enquiry looks potentially suitable, we will arrange a secure route before any detailed information is shared.
Start a Placement Discussion.
This is Stage 1. It collects only enough information to begin a professional conversation.
If the enquiry looks potentially suitable, we will contact you and arrange an approved secure channel for detailed referral information.
Prefer to talk first? Call 07787 100025.