Page 13 - Part B

Information, Advice or Guidance

Key Facts

• A key benefit to signposting or referring a client is they can
benefit from expert knowledge

• Signposting can act as a gateway for people who might otherwise
struggle to engage with services, such as the elderly or
people with a disability.

Situations where signposting or referral are appropriate
in meeting client requirements

The start of this unit explored the reasons why you may wish to signpost or refer a
client to another organisation.

For example, you are working as a careers advisor within a school environment,
where a student in the final year of GCSEs comes for some advice about further study
options after they finish school. You sit down with the student and, through the use of
open questioning, you gain an understanding of the client’s requirements. In this case:

• The student really enjoys working with people

• The student works part-time at the local hairdressers and really enjoys
the work

• The student is looking to gain further qualifications within the hairdressing
industry.

You decided, as hairdressing is not your area of expertise, to signpost the student to
the two local colleges that run courses that you think might be suitable. You provide
the student with the websites and contact information and arrange for her to come
back and see you.

The student returns two weeks later and explains she looked into the courses and
she is extremely interested. You then discuss referring her to the tutor responsible
for the course to talk about her options further. You contact the tutor and arrange an
appointment for the student to attend the college.

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