Many of the people we work with come to us through someone who already knows them: a caseworker, a youth worker, a housing support officer, a community organisation or a health professional. These referrers are some of our most important partners. They know the person's story and often have the trust that makes a first conversation possible.
This article explains how referrals work, how we handle consent and what referrers can expect from us.
Who can refer
Anyone working with a person who wants support into training or work can refer them. That includes community organisations, caseworkers, employment and settlement services, schools, health and disability services, and housing and family support services. People can also refer themselves.
Consent comes first
Before you refer someone, please make sure they have agreed. A referral works best when the person understands what Asset Community is, what we might be able to offer and why you think it could help. We will confirm their consent again when we first speak with them.
Consent also covers what happens next. With the participant's agreement, we keep the referring organisation updated on their progress. If they would prefer that we did not, we respect that, and we will let you know only that the referral has been received. Participants can change their mind about sharing information at any time.
What to include in a referral
A referral does not need to be long. Helpful information includes:
- the person's name and the best way to contact them
- your name, organisation and contact details
- a short note about their goals and the kind of support they are looking for
- anything that would help us make the first contact go well, such as preferred times, language needs or accessibility requirements
Please only share the information the person has agreed to share, and only what is needed for us to get started. You can refer by phone on 1800 993 557, by email to [email protected], or through our contact form by choosing "Referring someone to us".
What happens next
Once we receive a referral, we contact the person to introduce ourselves and arrange a first conversation. From there, the process follows our usual approach: we talk through their goals and barriers, agree an individual training and support plan, and work through training, preparation and introductions to employers.
The person has one point of contact throughout, which also makes it easier for referrers to know who to speak to.
Working together
Referrers often hold important context and existing relationships. We see our role as adding to that support, not replacing it. Where a participant agrees, we are happy to coordinate with you on plans, check-ins and any specialist referrals, so that the person is not managing several services on their own.
The best referrals feel like an introduction between people, not a handover between systems.
Questions
If you are a caseworker or community organisation and would like to talk about working together, get in touch or call 1800 993 557. You can also read about what case management looks like in our programs.