🛡️ Leslie's Care Packages - Referral Policy 

 

Updated: 27 August 2025 - Applies to: All professional referrals made to Leslie’s Care Packages (LCP)

 

1. Purpose and Scope

Leslie’s Care Packages is a grassroots, donation-powered not-for-profit that provides bespoke parcels of kindness to individuals in need across the Black Country, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and surrounding areas. This referral policy outlines the ethical, and operational framework for accepting referrals from trusted professionals. It ensures that every parcel is distributed safely, appropriately, and in alignment with our safeguarding commitments and resource limitations. This policy applies to all professionals referring individuals to LCP, including but not limited to social workers, healthcare providers, housing officers, support workers, and community advocates.

 

2. Referral Eligibility

Referrals are accepted exclusively from professionals who have a direct working relationship with the individual being referred.

This ensures:
•     Accurate assessment of need
•     Informed consent and safeguarding oversight
•     Appropriate follow-up and support

We do not accept self-referrals, family referrals, or informal requests from members of the public.

This boundary protects the integrity of our service and ensures parcels reach those most in need.

 

3. Consent and Data Protection

All referrals must be made with the explicit, informed consent of the individual. Referrers must confirm that:
•     The individual understands what Leslie’s Care Packages is and what support is being offered
•     The individual agrees to share relevant personal information for the purpose of receiving a parcel
•     Personal data shared via referral forms is used solely for the purpose of parcel delivery and safeguarding.

We do not store data beyond what is necessary, and we never share information with third parties.

 

 

4. Safeguarding and Legal Risk

Leslie’s Care Packages operates with a zero-tolerance approach to risk. Referrers must disclose any known safeguarding concerns,

legal restrictions, or risks that may affect parcel delivery or volunteer safety.

This includes:
•     Known threats to volunteers or staff
•     Legal orders (e.g. restraining orders, bail conditions)
•     Situations involving domestic abuse, exploitation, or serious mental health concerns

LCP reserves the right to decline a referral if it poses a risk to volunteers, recipients, or the wider community.

We may request additional information or professional oversight before proceeding.

 

5. Ineligibility Criteria

To protect our volunteers and ensure fair distribution of resources, the following referrals will be declined:
•     Individuals who have previously received a parcel within the last 4 weeks unless exceptional circumstances apply.
•     Referrals lacking professional verification or consent
•     Requests for items outside our scope (e.g. furniture, cash, emergency accommodation)
•     Referrals involving individuals with known safeguarding risks that cannot be mitigated

We will always communicate respectfully and transparently with referrers if a referral is declined.

 

 

6. Professional Responsibility

By submitting a referral, professionals agree to:
•     Provide accurate, up-to-date information
•     Act as the point of contact for any follow-up or safeguarding queries
•     Ensure the recipient is aware of delivery expectations and limitations
•     Notify LCP of any changes in circumstances that may affect the referral

While we are not a registered crisis provider, we do respond to urgent or time-sensitive referrals where capacity allows.

Out-of-hours requests may be considered in exceptional cases, particularly for elderly recipients, hospital discharges,

or safeguarding needs. Professionals must ensure that referrals are appropriate and timely.

 

 

 

7. Delivery and Follow-Up

Parcels are delivered by volunteers or posted, depending on location and capacity. We aim to deliver parcels within two working days of receiving a complete, verified referral. This timeframe may vary depending on volunteer availability, donation stock, but delays may occur due to donation availability or operational constraints. Professionals may be contacted to confirm delivery or resolve issues.

We appreciate your collaboration in ensuring parcels reach recipients safely and respectfully.

8. Policy Review and Updates This policy is reviewed annually or as needed to reflect changes in, safeguarding guidance, or operational capacity. Professionals will be notified of significant updates via email or our website.

 

 

🛡️ Safeguarding Guidance for Referrals

 

 

1. Our Safeguarding Principles

We believe that:
•     Every person has the right to feel safe, respected, and protected from harm
•     Kindness must never compromise safety
•     Transparency, consent, and boundaries are essential to ethical service delivery
•     Volunteers deserve clear guidance and protection from risk
•     Professionals deserve trust and collaboration when referring individuals
•     Recipients deserve dignity, privacy, and safeguarding oversight

 

2. Who We Safeguard

Our safeguarding commitments apply to:
•     Recipients of care packages, including families, adults at risk, and the elderly
•     Volunteers, including delivery drivers, packers, and coordinators
•     Professional referrers who act as safeguarding leads for recipients
•     Supporters and donors who engage with our service
•     The wider community, especially when parcels are delivered in shared spaces

3. Referral Safeguarding

All referrals must be made by professionals who: 
•     Hold safeguarding responsibility for the individual
•     Confirm informed consent and appropriateness of support
•     Disclose any known risks to volunteers or recipients
•     Remain the point of contact for safeguarding follow-up
We do not accept referrals without professional oversight.

This protects vulnerable individuals and ensures parcels are delivered safely.

 

 

4. Volunteer Protection

Volunteers are never expected to enter homes, manage crises, or engage in high-risk situations. We commit to:
•     Providing clear delivery instructions and risk alerts
•     Ensuring volunteers can decline or report concerns without judgment
•     Responding swiftly to any incident or disclosure
Volunteers are the heart of LCP, and their safety is non-negotiable.

 

 

5. Risk Management and Incident Response

If a safeguarding concern arises, we will:
•     Pause parcel delivery until risks are assessed
•     Contact the referring professional for guidance
•     Escalate concerns to appropriate authorities if necessary
•     Document the incident securely and confidentially
•     Review our procedures to prevent recurrence
We do not investigate safeguarding concerns independently but will always act to protect those at risk.

 

 

6. Boundaries and Limitations

LCP is not a crisis service, emergency responder, or statutory agency. 
We do not:
•     Provide direct support for abuse, exploitation, or mental health crises
•     Deliver parcels in unsafe or unverified environments
•     Accept referrals without professional safeguarding oversight
•     Share personal data with third parties without consent or legal obligation. We operate within clear boundaries to protect everyone involved.

 

7. Safeguarding Culture

We foster a safeguarding culture by:
•     Embedding safeguarding in all policies, forms, and outreach materials
•     Training volunteers and coordinators in safeguarding awareness
•     Communicating openly about risks, boundaries, and responsibilities
•     Encouraging feedback and continuous improvement
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility—and we lead with care, clarity, and courage.