You are in: home > children & families > children & families contacts >
Children & Families Contacts
Multi-agency referral form
Background
In line with Government recommendation around standardising referral forms and encouraging agencies to take a more proactive role in assessing the child's needs, Devon Children and Young People’s Services, in consultation with other agencies, has produced a multi-agency referral form. It will ensure information provided is consistent and comprehensive, and encourages agencies to become involved in assessing the needs of children.
Providing comprehensive information at the referral stage will assist in determining if the child / young person’s needs meet the threshold for social care involvement and will prevent social care gathering known information which could delay the process.
Purpose of multi-agency referral form
The multi agency referral form is used when a professional judges that a child or young person has a level of need that requires assessment and intervention from social care within Devon’s Children and Young People’s Services.
Prior to making a referral
Prior to making a referral to the Assessment Unit, the professional / agency should have considered if the child / young person’s needs can be met by services from within their own agency or by other professionals already involved with the family.
It is acknowledged that professionals experience some difficulty in deciding appropriate points of intervention. The multi-agency threshold matrices has been developed (by a multi-agency steering group) to assist professionals when undertaking their own assessment to determine levels of need.
The consent of the parents / carers should always be sought, except where a child is considered to be at risk of harm and it is believed that seeking parental consent may increase this risk.
If you are unsure about thresholds or seeking consent please seek advice from your line manager.
When to make a referral
Referrals should be made when your assessment (including CAF) has identified needs which can only be met through specialist services at level 3 – acute. In some cases, multiple identified needs under Level 2 – complex (using the threshold matrices) will need specialist services.
Professionals are encouraged to consult with Children and Young People’s Services and Practice Managers are available for consultation. Decisions reached should be recorded clearly by both agencies.
Urgent referrals – if you consider that urgent action is needed, for example, if a child is in immediate danger or needs accommodation, telephone your local social care office and give as much information as you can. Your referral will be passed immediately to the Manager who will decide upon the action needed and will normally respond to you within one hour. You must follow up your telephone call by sending a completed referral from to the local social care office within 48 hours (Working Together to Safeguard Children 2005 para 5.32)
How to make a referral
Please complete the multi-agency referral form with as much information as possible. In all cases Part One must be completed.
In part 2 provide as much information as possible. Please note you are not expected to complete all sections but concentrate on the presenting issues. Information provided will support threshold decisions and contribute to an initial assessment, the commencement of a core assessment or other assessments.
For professionals working within an AXS pathfinder, please complete Part 1 and provide a copy of the CAF to replace Part 2.
To complete the form please print off.
- Multi-agency referral form
(177KB - pdf help)
Where to send a referral
Post or fax to your local Children and Young People Services social care office:
| George Street, Exeter | Tel: 01392 384444 | Fax: 01392 384439 |
| St. Saviours, Ottery St. Mary | Tel: 01392 384444 | Fax: 01392 385953 |
| Phoenix Lane, Tiverton | Tel: 0845 1110640 | Fax: 01392 384141 |
| Civic Centre, Barnstaple | Tel: 01392 388660 | Fax: 01271 388721 |
| Parkers Barn, Totnes | Tel: 01392 386000 | Fax: 01392 386003 |
| Teign House, Newton Abbot | Tel: 01392 384900 | Fax: 01392 384903 |
| Abbey Rise, Tavistock | Tel: 01392 386990 | Fax: 01392 386756 |
On receipt of a referral
The Assessment Unit Threshold Practice Manager should make a decision on action to be taken within 24 hours of its receipt. The referrer should receive written confirmation of the receipt of the referral and its outcome by telephone / letter within 7 working days.
Related Documents
- Devon Multi-Agency Thresholds (296KB - pdf help)