An initial enquiry helps establish whether a service is worth exploring further. It is not the same as a completed referral or an offer of accommodation.
Start with the questions that matter
- Is there current availability in the area needed?
- What support can the service offer, and what falls outside its scope?
- Who can make a referral and how is suitability assessed?
- What are the costs and how are they explained?
- What happens after the first conversation?
Keep the first message brief
Your name, professional organisation if relevant, and a contact method are enough to begin. Ask how to share further information securely before sending case notes or assessments.
Separate enquiry from assessment
When a fuller assessment is needed, confirm what information is necessary, who will receive it and how the person concerned will be involved. Do not send sensitive information simply because a form has a free-text box.
Keep a clear record
Note what has been agreed, what is still unknown and who is taking the next step. Check current arrangements directly with the provider.
Explore the Amaanah referral route →