Outline the referral process to follow when you recognise that a client requires additional care outside your scope of practise.

Identify the Need: The first step is to recognise that a client requires additional care that is beyond your scope of practice. This could be due to a variety of reasons such as the client's condition worsening, the need for specialised care, or the need for a higher level of care.

Consultation: Consult with your supervisor or a senior colleague about your concerns. They can provide guidance on whether a referral is necessary and who the appropriate professional to refer to might be.

Inform the Client: Discuss your concerns with the client. Explain why you believe they need additional care and what the next steps will be. It's important to ensure the client understands and agrees with the referral.

Choose the Right Professional: Identify the appropriate professional or service to refer the client to. This could be a specialist in a particular field, a higher level of care, or a different type of service that can better meet the client's needs.

Make the Referral: Contact the professional or service you are referring the client to. Provide them with all the necessary information about the client and their needs. This could be done through a formal referral letter or form.

Follow Up: After making the referral, follow up to ensure the client has been able to access the additional care. This could involve contacting the client, the professional or service they were referred to, or both.

Documentation: Document all steps taken, including your initial concerns, the consultation with your supervisor, discussions with the client, the referral itself, and any follow-up actions. This is important for legal reasons and to ensure continuity of care for the client.