Page 9 - Part B

Information, Advice or Guidance

Section 2: The difference between signposting and referral

This section will explore the following:

• The difference between signposting and referral

• The benefits, to own organisation and its clients, of signposting or referral

• Situations where signposting or referral are appropriate in meeting client
requirements.

The difference between signposting and referral

Thinking back to Unit 1, signposting was defined as: helping a client find other
organisations that will be able to help them and providing contact details for the client.

This is normally carried out before in-depth work is done around the client’s
requirements, and where the client’s requirements are clearly unable to be met by
your service.

For example, a client meeting an employment advisor who is only able to assist people
in the local area, where the client falls outside of the area.

In most cases, signposting revolves around the client being provided with suggestions
of organisations who might help, with the emphasis on the client to arrange contact
with those organisations directly. There are some exceptions to this where a client may
be unable to access these services themselves. For example, where language barriers
exist or they have some form of disability. It would be good practice to help these
clients as much as possible. You should always try to help the client as much as you
can, whatever their personal situation or requirements are.

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