Referral Policy

Referral Policy
There will be occasions when, in order to provide a client with the appropriate service or opportunity, he or she will be offered a referral to one or more of the following: * A colleague within Bridging the Gap * An external Support Organisation * Employers and/or Training Providers
In arranging and implementing referrals Bridging the Gap staff will: * Obtain the client’s agreement after explaining the reasons for the proposed referral. * Explain to clients the referral process so that they are aware what is expected of them; what they need to do; how the referral colleague or organisation will work; what, if any, continuing responsibility the Bridging the Gap staff member making the referral will have towards the client and provide written confirmation of this. * Ensure that referrals are appropriate to the needs and abilities of the client. * Ensure that referrals match the basic requirements of the third party. * Follow the Bridging the Gap Confidentiality Policy.	* Make referrals (where Bridging the Gap staff are responsible for undertaking the referral process) within 5 working days of the date of agreement with the client. * Keep records of referrals. * Monitor the outcomes of all referrals to see whether or not the client is satisfied with the results. * Give clients accurate and up to date information about referral organisations including name, location, contact details, area of expertise, name of a contact (where possible). * Establish with organisations arrangements which facilitate referrals.
This document was last updated on 20th May 2003. It is reviewed annually in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974), The Data Protection Acts (1984&1998) and Guidance Council recommendations.

How to contact us.

Initial contact should be made via the main office by telephone or through referral by another support organisation.

Once initial assessment has taken place, any further contact should be made directly to your assigned Community Support Worker, who will have informed you of the best way to keep in touch. Initial contact details:

Bridging the Gap, Brunswick Court, Brunswick Square, Bristol,
BS2 8PE

Tel: (0117) 970 5820,
Fax: (0117) 942 6763,

Email: contact@bridging.org.uk