Steps for referring clients

Step 3: Discussing and Selecting Options

Social workers are prohibited from giving or receiving payment for a referral when no professional service is provided by the referring social worker (NASW Code of Ethics, 2008—2.06 Referral for Services).

Step 4: planning for initial contact

Social workers may want to work with a client to prepare for the initial meeting. Preparation may include helping a client to understand what to expect or reviewing needs and progress made so that it can be discussed with the new provider.

Step 6: follow up to see if needs were met

Social workers should always follow-up to ensure that there was not a break in service and that the new provider is meeting a client's needs.

Step 1: Clarifying the Need or Purpose for the Referral

Social workers should refer clients to other professionals when the other professionals' specialized knowledge or expertise is needed to serve clients fully or when social workers believe that they are not being effective or making reasonable progress with clients and additional service is required (NASW Code of Ethics, 2008—2.06 Referral for Services).

Step 5: initial contact

Social workers who refer clients to other professionals should take appropriate steps to facilitate an orderly transfer of responsibility. Social workers who refer clients to other professionals should disclose, with clients' consent, all pertinent information to the new service providers (NASW Code of Ethics, 2008—2.06 Referral for Services).

Step 2: Researching Resources

When making a referral, it is critical that a social worker refers to a competent provider, someone with expertise in the problem that a client is experiencing. When researching resources, a client's right to self-determination should be paramount. In addition, if a client is already receiving services from an agency, it may be advisable to see if there are available services provided by this agency in order to avoid additional coordination and fragmentation for a client.