Young people often prefer to work with workers who they have developed a trusting and supportive relationship with.
Sometimes young people can be reluctant to make contact with a new worker or service. There are steps you can take to support them through this process.
Here are some tips for effective referrals.
1. Be prepared
Find out about relevant services in your area before you actually need them.
If a young person is in crisis and needs your support it can be difficult to find this information, especially if the crisis occurs after business hours.
If possible find out what the service really provides, referral procedures, entry criteria and the name and position of the most appropriate person to contact.
Ask local services whether they have any brochures which you can display at your service.
Develop a contact list and keep it handy (in your desk drawer).
2. Spend time talking to the young person
Spend time talking to the young person about the reason for the referral and what the service can provide. Let them know about the kind of questions that will be asked and that the service may have entry criteria and a referral process. If you are making contact on their behalf gain their permission for personal information to be shared.
3. Encourage the young person to make the contact themselves
Encourage the young person to make the contact themselves, depending on their support needs and confidence.
Options include:
- the young person phoning the service while at your agency
- the worker phoning the service and providing the initial information, then the young person taking over the phone call
- the worker attending the service with the young person
- inviting a service representative to attend your service
- providing the contact details to the young person and allowing them to make their own contact.
4. Provide information to the service
Provide information to the service about the needs of the client so that the service can determine the most effective support they can provide.
5. Provide support to the young person
Provide support to the young person to ensure they can attend any face to face appointments. This may mean providing transport or accompanying them.
6. Develop networks and partnerships
Develop networks and partnerships with other services. If you are not sure about the programs provided by another service then request a face to face meeting or invite them to your youth network. Some outreach workers may also be willing to come to your service on a regular basis to work with young people. If you have regular contact with a service then develop an agreement about the best way for referrals to take place.
Published: 2006
Be careful! YAPA and the authors took reasonable care to ensure that this information was correct at the time of publishing. However health information, and government regulations, laws and standards are complex and changing. The authors may not have health, safety, or legal qualifications, and information provided is general - it is not specific health, legal or professional advice. Do not rely on it - check with other publications and authorities and if necessary get qualified, medical, legal or professional advice for your situation.
