For Health Professionals
Social Work outpatient referral criteria
- Psychosocial Risk/Safety
- Family violence, elder abuse, child safety concerns
- Social isolation impacting treatment or safety
- Concerns about neglect, exploitation, or coercion
- Adjustment & Coping
- Difficulty adjusting to new diagnosis or chronic illness
- Grief, loss, trauma, or carer stress
- Decline in functional ability affecting independence
- Need for counselling related to health changes
- Care Coordination Needs
- Complex discharge follow-up
- Difficulty navigating health or community systems
- Need for support with NDIS, My Aged Care, TAC, WorkCover, Centrelink
- Practical/Social Barriers to Care
- Financial hardship affecting treatment access
- Transport, housing, or daily-living barriers
- Lack of informal supports
- Cultural or language barriers requiring advocacy
Minimum information to include in the referral
To ensure correct triage and avoid delays:
- Reason for referral (specifical psychosocial issue)
- Relevant medical background
- Identified risks (safety, housing, mental health)
- Current supports and services involoved
- Urgency indicators
- Patient consent for referral
When not to refer
- Issues unrelated to health-related psychosocial needs
- Person already linked with a community social worker or adequate service
Referral process
- All outpatient referrals must be received from a health professional and sent through to Grampians Health Central Intake.