Discussing a Referral

Referrals must be discussed with the person prior to making the referral.

Provide information to the person about Foundation House as a service that can assist people with the problems/difficulties faced by those arriving in a new country. Some of these difficulties are the result of previous experiences.

For example, you could say:

Foundation House is a service which has worked with people who have come to Australia who have been in a similar situation to you.

They offer assistance for individuals and families.

They can provide assistance for (choose the most suitable for the client’s situation of the following):

• Feelings of nervousness
• Feelings of sadness
• Difficulties with sleeping
• Coping with everyday problems
• Trouble with learning or remembering, or thinking too much
• Not feeling like you want to be around other people
• Not feeling that there is any future
• Family difficulties or conflicts in families
• Children and/or young people finding it difficult to settle into a new country or school (or getting to used to all the changes they face)

Provide some feedback to your client about what you have noticed. The following are examples of what you could say:

• It is difficult to settle in Australia with little children and you are the sole parent [or whatever the case may be]. Children may need extra assistance settling into school, dealing with all the changes they face.
• You have mentioned some worries which are important to deal with.
• All the changes you have been through and the difficult experiences you have had before arriving in Australia can affect settlement in a new country.
• Things can be more difficult than expected. Not all worries stop when you arrive in a new country.