Appropriate referrals

Interventions that aim to reduce harm for children are specifically targeted to at-risk families. Universal programs are often not appropriate. Such families often have complex needs where further referrals are required.

How can it be implemented?

Appropriate referral involves identification of suitable  families already involved in child welfare services, or attending paediatric practices, and screening with standardised assessment tools. Integration with other services facilitates onward referrals, as required.

Who is the target group?

This flexible activity has been implemented to target several different target groups in all programs. See below for details by program. Note that the studies contained in this review provide the method of recruitment for the study, but not necessarily for the intervention in the field.

What programs conduct this activity?

This flexible activity has been implemented to target different groups, including:

Johns Hopkins Children and Youth Program, Relief Nursery Program: First time mothers who are vulnerable in some way, for example young mothers, single mothers, and families of low socioeconomic status.

Safe Environment for Every Kid: Embedded in paediatric clinics to families of children aged 0-5 years. Early interventionists, early childhood teachers, and other service professionals were called on as needed to give advice and make referrals.

Nurse-Family Partnership: Families experiencing vulnerability - young mothers, single mothers, and families of low socioeconomic status.

Australian Nurse-Family Partnership: Aboriginal mothers in Central Australia.

Right@Home: Families assessed as being likely to benefit from a prevention service.

Pride in Parenting: African American mothers who have not accessed adequate prenatal care.

Parents as Teachers, SafeCare, Promoting First Relationships: Families with prior contact with child welfare services, or who have been reported for alleged child abuse or neglect.

Family Support Program, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, The Incredible Years Preschool BASIC Parenting Program Enhanced with Home Visits, The Incredible Years Shortened Basic Version: Children who showed signs of social behavioural problems; had difficulties with socio-emotional or cognitive development.

ParentCorps: The program operates in a school setting and is designed to serve culturally diverse communities.

Parent Training Program: Low-income Chinese families in Hong Kong.

Child-Adult Relationship Enhancements in Primary Care: Families with children with behavioural concerns who might be at risk for maltreatment.

Group Attachment-Based Intervention: Mothers at risk of maltreating their children because of a heavy trauma burden, mental health challenges, or prior removal of a child.

Relief Nursery Program: On an as needed basis, mental health and special education services are integrated into the classroom. All children participate in developmental screening. Other services are provided as needed, including respite care, child nutrition, transportation to and from services, and individual and family counselling.         

Further resources

This flexible activity has been implemented to target several different target groups: