Requesting assistance

Understanding information that needs to be submitted is essential to avoid delay.

• Collaborate with the named person, who acts as the single point of contact with services
• Use the Child Wellbeing Pathway flowchart
• Discuss reasons for considering support
• Agree what needs to be in place

Universal services can be put in place without holding a formal meeting.

Complete a request for assistance or referral (RfA) if services at an additional and intensive level are needed, and more than one agency needs to respond to wellbeing needs and concerns.

The named person makes the referral to the Social Work Service or Family Support Service and this must be accompanied by the current child’s plan and a chronology. Any referral to Social Work should be made without delay.

Outcomes from making a Request for Assistance (RfA) or referral to any service can include:

• The service agreeing to become involved for a specific purpose
• The service seeking additional information prior to agreeing their involvement, this will involve discussion between the named person and the service
• A recommendation that an alternative service might be more appropriate for example a universal service offered by the Third sector based on assessment
• For C&YPF requiring additional/intensive support from the Family Support Service or C&F Social Work, this would be via the Social Work Contact Centre, using the referral form (including a chronology and a child’s plan).

If a specific service accepts a RfA/ referral, the named person and service should agree how to initiate contact with the C&YPCF.

In all cases C&YPFC should be aware of the decision to try and involve another service. C&YPFC views on this must be included in the single agency assessment.

Useful links

• Fife Child Wellbeing Pathway Flowchart
• Referral Documents

• Named persons

• Assessment and chronologies

• Team Around the Child

• Lead professionals

• Child protection & Social Work

• A Child’s Plan