Policies

REFERRAL PROCESS

Referrals
Referrals are only accepted for children and young people (aged 3 – 16) in the Borough of Tower Hamlets, where issues of bereavement and loss are a primary concern.

Direct work is undertaken specifically with children and young people who have especially complex needs and who would benefit most from an intensive therapeutic approach. The project may offer indirect support to the parent/referrer, through consultancy with other agencies, professionals and front-line workers.

Referrals are mainly made by schools or by self-referral (preferably with consent of parent or carer) Other agencies in both the statutory and voluntary sectors may also make referrals to Journeys-CBLS. 

Initial contact is made by phone from referrer and basic details are taken.

After the referral is received the Journeys-CBLS therapists will agree who will continue to support the client. This therapist will respond to the referral by phone and identify themselves as the ‘contact person’ at Journeys and continue to follow up.

Response
We guarantee a response, by phone or letter, within two weeks of receiving a referral, unless the therapist is on leave at the time.

Depending upon the nature of the enquiry or referral the following will happen:

• If the referral form is not completed by telephone, it will be sent with accompanying letter offering initial appointment (having previously agreed date and time over the phone).

     OR

• Letter only will be sent, offering initial appointment (again, having previously agreed date and time over the phone) to further discuss referral and appropriate Journeys service as noted below.

 OR Possible Interventions

• Suggest the school have a Seasons for Growth group, with specified child as a member of it.

OR

• Suggest Journeys support a school worker (e.g. Learning Mentor, SENCO, Home-School Liaison Worker) to work with the child or young person without the child or young person necessarily being seen by Journeys. This may be a one off or a number of meetings.

OR

• Give advice to parent. This may include parent mentoring, where the parent  or carer is empowered to meet the child’s needs more adequately themselves, without the child actually being seen by Journeys. This may be a ‘one-off’ or a number of meetings.

OR

• Journeys may offer advice by phone or letter

OR

• Journeys may suggest an alternative response or more appropriate referral elsewhere.

Actions following Referrals

Assessment
The therapist appointed to work with the child will consult with those involved before deciding together

•  whether there is a piece of work to be done
•  what might be most helpful for the child or young person.
•  whether this is the right time for intervention to commence
•  who  would be most appropriate to conduct that work

Reviews
Whatever the nature of the work or intervention offered by Journeys is, a review will be scheduled. A decision is then made regarding continuation of the work. Following the initial review, further reviews will be scheduled by the therapist as appropriate.

Ending
When therapy is due to end, the most appropriate way of ending is discussed and agreed with all those involved.   

Follow up
Another appointment is booked for 3 months after ending, with the assurance that, should the child or young person feel the need to meet again at any point in the future, this will be arranged (i.e. “the door is always open”).

                                                                                                Reviewed July 2007

For further details, contact a therapist. Click here to email.