FAQs for Referrers and Families
Clear answers about referrals, service access and support options.
Frequently Asked Questions for Referrers and Families
This page answers common questions about accessing Venture People’s services, making a referral and understanding what support may be available.
It is designed for referrers, families, carers, professionals and individuals who want to understand the next steps before getting in touch.
Venture People supports adults aged 18 and over with mental health needs, complex needs and related comorbidities. Services are flexible, person-centred and shaped around each person’s circumstances, goals and changing needs.
Who can access Venture People’s services?
Venture People supports adults aged 18 and over who require an adaptable service and would benefit from social care support.
This may include people with mental health needs, complex needs, learning disabilities, autism, neurodiversity, dual diagnosis, forensic history, complex emotional needs or trauma backgrounds.
Support may be suitable for people who need help with daily routines, building a social network, managing wellbeing, developing independent living skills, budgeting, accessing the community or working towards a personal goal.
Who can make a referral?
Referrals may come from professionals, commissioners, social care teams, NHS teams, families, carers or individuals looking for support.
Some services may be accessed through framework or brokerage routes. Other services, such as private wellbeing support or ADHD and ASD assessments, may be accessed through direct enquiry or self-funded routes.
What services can someone be referred to?
Venture People offers a range of services, including Supported Accommodation, Community-Based Support, Specialist Community Support, Clinical Services, ADHD and ASD Assessments, Wellbeing Service and Out-of-Hours Support.
The right service will depend on the person’s needs, goals, current circumstances, location and funding route.
How quickly will Venture People respond?
Venture People is committed to responding to all referrals and enquiries within two working days.
If more information is needed, the team will contact the referrer, family member, professional or individual to understand the situation and advise on the next steps.
What information is helpful when making a referral?
When making a referral, it is helpful to provide as much relevant information as possible.
This may include the person’s age, current needs and risks, mental health needs, learning disability, autism, ADHD or neurodiversity needs, current accommodation or living situation, support currently in place, funding route or referring authority, preferred location, urgency of the referral and any relevant care plans, risk assessments or clinical information.
This helps the team understand whether Venture People may be able to offer suitable support.
Does Venture People support people with complex needs?
Yes. Venture People works with people who have complex needs and may require flexible, personalised support.
This can include people with mental health needs and additional needs such as dual diagnosis, learning disabilities, autism, neurodiversity, forensic history, complex emotional needs or trauma backgrounds.
Support is planned around the individual rather than a fixed model.
Is support person-centred?
Yes. Each person’s needs are unique and can change over time.
Venture People works with each individual to create a personalised support plan that identifies their goals, the outcomes they want to work towards and the type of support that may help them move forward.
Support can include practical, emotional, social and wellbeing-focused input depending on the person’s needs.
What can support include?
Support may include meaningful daytime activities, learning, employment, creative or leisure pursuits, accessing the wider local community, building social inclusion, managing wellbeing, developing coping strategies, daily living skills, finance management, weekly budgeting, skills for independence, tenancy sustainment, confidence building and working towards personal goals.
The exact support will depend on the service and the individual plan.
Does Venture People offer supported accommodation?
Yes. Venture People provides supported accommodation for adults with mental health needs, learning disabilities, autism, neurodiversity and complex needs.
Supported accommodation may be suitable for people who need an adaptable service, support with independent living skills, tenancy sustainment, wellbeing, community access or recovery and reablement.
View Supported Accommodation.
Are there current accommodation vacancies?
Accommodation availability changes over time. The Current Accommodation Vacancies page can be used to view available placements and find out whether a service may be suitable.
View Current Accommodation Vacancies.
Does Venture People provide community-based support?
Yes. Community-Based Support helps people build structure, confidence and independence in everyday life.
Support may include routines, budgeting, wellbeing, daily living skills, social networks, meaningful activities and community access.
View Community-Based Support.
What is Specialist Community Support?
Specialist Community Support is intensive, flexible or time-limited support for people who may need help leaving hospital, avoiding admission, stabilising in the community or managing complex and compound needs.
This can include hospital discharge support, admission avoidance, intensive one-to-one support and recovery-focused community support.
View Specialist Community Support.
Does Venture People offer ADHD and ASD assessments?
Yes. Venture People provides adult ADHD and ASD assessments through its clinical team.
Assessments are person-centred and can be adapted around the individual, including people with complex needs, intellectual disabilities or additional support needs.
View ADHD and ASD Assessments.
Does Venture People offer private wellbeing support?
Yes. The Wellbeing Service offers private one-to-one, non-clinical support for people who want flexible help with wellbeing, routine, confidence, community connection and independence.
View Wellbeing Service.
Is there out-of-hours support?
Yes. Venture People provides an Out-of-Hours Duty Service for individuals who may benefit from a dedicated on-call support system.
The service helps people seek support safely and constructively, while supporting independence and reducing unnecessary reliance on statutory or emergency services.
View Out-of-Hours Support.
How is progress measured?
Venture People uses outcome-focused tools to help people identify goals, track progress and recognise achievements over time.
The Outcome Star can support people to reflect on areas such as health, housing, independence, relationships and meaningful activity.
ReQoL can also be used to measure quality of life for people with mental health conditions, including wellbeing, relationships, community engagement, empowerment and independence.
What outcomes can support help with?
Support may help people improve wellbeing, increase use of the local community, strengthen daily living skills, build independence, access education, training or employment opportunities, sustain successful tenancies, improve social networks, reduce reliance on statutory services and build confidence.
Can families be involved?
Family or carer involvement may be helpful where appropriate and where the person consents.
Families can often provide useful background information, help explain what has worked before and support the person’s wider recovery or wellbeing journey.
What happens after an enquiry or referral?
After an enquiry or referral, Venture People will review the information provided and respond with guidance on next steps.
This may include asking for more information, discussing service suitability, explaining access routes or signposting to the most appropriate service.
How do I make a referral?
Use the Make a Referral page to send an enquiry or referral to Venture People.
Make a Referral.
Still have questions?
If you are unsure which service is most suitable, contact Venture People and the team will help you understand the available options and next steps.
