Gateways to the law: an exploratory study of how community agencies assist clients with legal problems.
Sue Scott, Caroline Sage, Law and Justice Foundation of NSW, 2001.
This exploratory research study examines how a range of non-profit agencies in New South Wales go about assisting clients with legal problems, including how they carry out referral. The report also provides a thorough review of the available literature that draws together existing Australian and international research in this area.
The Community Legal Service: Developing Joined-up Solutions, Steele, J. (1999), London, Report to the Lord Chancellor's Department Public Management Foundation.
Lists the following best practice guidelines:
the circumstances in which a referral is appropriate or necessary are identified
appropriate sources of help are identified
the reasons for referral are explained to the client
the client is assisted with accessing the new service
information is passed on about the case
the referral is recorded
the outcomes are monitored.
Levinson, R. W. Information and Referral Networks: Doorways to Human Services. New York, Springer Publishing Company. Appendix C contains a summary of national standards for referral.
The Gold Coast Referral Pathways Project involved the development and distribution of a resource for service providers to help them recognise clients who might be at risk of self-harm and/or suicide. The resource map is designed for use by those who do not have specialist skills for dealing with mental illness, to help them make a preliminary assessment of the degree of suicide risk and to identify, and make appropriate referrals to, a range of health and non-health services. For a copy of the project's evaluation report (PDF file) send an email to: scphu@health.qld.gov.au or phone (07) 5509 7222.
