Basic guidelines for referral process :
- Referral is an action intended to help and not to avoid or throw away the client. its important to help the client understand this aspect of the process.
- Referral ia appropriate only when the worker or agency cannot provide the type of service or assistance needed by the client
- Referral is appropriate when the worker does not have the required knowledge and skills and when the workers values, beliefs and religious stand is a barrier in helping process
- Attempting to get rid of the client for the reason being "difficult client" is never acceptable for making a referral
- important to remember and help the client understand that referral is the first step in helping process.
- before concluding on the decision of referral the social worker must first consider if all available agency resources have been used. attempted referral carries a risk of failure and add frustration to the client
- be realistic about what the other agency or worker can offer the client before making a referral. whenever necessary obtain release of information signed by the client prior engaging in the referral process
- take into account clients previous experience regarding referral and details related to it, this gives much information on the clients reaction and openness to the present referral.
- the client will be in great need of emotional support during the referral process, considering the formalities and procedures the client might have to undergo
- Do not make any promises about the referral agency to the client
- realize many client will need to be taught on how to approach other agencies
- be honest in giving opinion on the quality of resources the client questions about
- in order to make an effective referral, the worker must be thorough in community resources available. because linking people to resources will be major part of social worker role and job
- do not just stop with referring the client to agency, help with directing to a particular person or help the client in the process. many clients need support at various levels in achieving this task (connection techniques)
- keep in mind ethics regarding referral
- the time between making a referral and the other party taking over and helping the client is a vulnerable period too often leading to despair and a lot of negative emotions that play on top the already existing problem or stressful situation
- consider agency referral guidelines while deciding to do so.
- evaluate the referral process
Reference :
Techniques and guidelines for social work practice https://archive.org/stream/techniquesguidel00shea#page/199/mode/1up
Social work processes by beulah r compton pg: 639
