How Professionals Can Refer with Confidence

August 10, 2025

A practical guide for healthcare professionals and referral partners on making effective referrals and understanding what to expect from Intri-Care’s support process.

Referring a person for care isn’t just a task—it’s a responsibility. Whether you’re a GP, a social worker, a school counsellor, or part of a hospital discharge team, the referrals you make can change lives. The right support, at the right time, can be the difference between crisis and recovery, isolation and connection, stagnation and growth.


At IntriCare, we know that professionals want to make safe, smart referrals. You want to be sure that the people in your care will be looked after holistically—with respect, compassion, and genuine expertise. But we also know that the referral process can feel vague or frustrating at times. Who qualifies? What support is available? How do you know if your referral will lead to real impact?


This article is for you. Whether you’re new to working with IntriCare or have referred to other services before, here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to referring with confidence—and what happens next once you do.


Why Choose IntriCare? A Quick Refresher


Before we dive into the “how,” let’s revisit the “why.” IntriCare is more than just a care provider. We deliver person-centred, values-driven care across multiple service areas, including:


  • Complex Care: For individuals with significant medical, behavioural, or social support needs
  • Youth Support: Tailored interventions to help young people re-engage with education, community, and personal development
  • Domiciliary Care: In-home support that prioritises dignity and independence
  • Mental Health and Social Isolation Services: Support focused on emotional resilience, community connection, and wellbeing


What makes us different? We lead with connection, consistency, and co-production—working with people, not just for them. And we ensure that you, as a professional referrer, are kept informed throughout the journey.


Step 1: Recognising a Good Fit for Referral


Not every individual needs the same type of care. But here are some key indicators that a referral to IntriCare could be beneficial:

  • Young person disengaging from school or community
  • Adult with complex medical needs struggling to manage at home
  • Caregiver burnout or family breakdown linked to unmet support needs
  • Client experiencing severe loneliness, anxiety, or loss of independence
  • Repeated hospital admissions with no continuity of care


We’re happy to have informal discussions before a referral is made—so if you’re unsure, give us a ring or send an email. We’d rather help you explore than have someone fall through the cracks.


Step 2: Understanding Our Referral Criteria


IntriCare works with both publicly funded and privately paying clients. Our support is designed for individuals who:

  • Require a person-centred support plan rather than a one-size-fits-all approach
  • Would benefit from ongoing, relationship-based care (not one-off interventions)
  • Are based in Merseyside or surrounding regions
  • Can be supported safely within a home, school, or community-based setting


We work with people across a wide range of ages and conditions—including autism, ADHD, physical disabilities, acquired brain injuries, mental health challenges, and more.


Step 3: Making the Referral


You can refer someone to IntriCare by:

  • Filling out our referral form on the website
  • Emailing us directly with background information
  • Calling to discuss the case, especially if it’s urgent or complex


We welcome referrals from:

  • GPs
  • Social workers
  • Hospital teams (e.g., discharge coordinators)
  • CAMHS and adult mental health professionals
  • Schools and youth services
  • Charities and third-sector organisations


Once the referral is received, we’ll confirm receipt and provide a named point of contact within 48 hours.


Step 4: Our Initial Response Process


Here’s what happens next:

  1. Triage: We review the referral to ensure we’re the right service. If not, we’ll signpost or help connect the person with another provider.
  2. Contact: We reach out to the individual or family directly (with consent), within 3 working days, to begin the conversation.
  3. Assessment: One of our experienced team members will carry out a strengths-based assessment. This may include a home visit, school meeting, or multi-agency review.
  4. Co-Production of a Care Plan: We don’t impose services—we design them collaboratively. The individual (and family, where appropriate) are involved in every decision.
  5. Start of Support: Once agreed, care begins promptly with clear goals, consistent workers, and regular reviews.


Throughout this process, you’ll be kept in the loop. We know how vital continuity and communication are.


Step 5: What You Can Expect from Us


When you refer someone to IntriCare, you’re not passing them off—you’re partnering with us. Here’s our commitment to you:

  • Transparency: You’ll receive updates on progress, concerns, and successes (with consent).
  • Flexibility: We adapt to individual needs, including crisis response and stepped care.
  • Stability: Our teams are trained, supervised, and consistent—so people don’t see a new face every week.
  • Values-Driven Care: We uphold dignity, choice, inclusion, and respect in every interaction.


If you need to escalate, query, or discuss any referral—you’ll always have a direct line to a service lead.


What Makes a Referral Strong?


To help us help you, please include:

  • Basic demographic and contact info
  • Summary of needs and current situation
  • Any relevant assessments or care plans
  • Risks, concerns, or behaviours to note
  • Cultural, communication, or accessibility needs


We’re not expecting a full report—but the more context we have, the better we can tailor our response.


Real-World Impact: What Referrers Say

“What stands out with IntriCare is the way they treat people—as people. They’re proactive, responsive, and they stay the course.” – Local Authority Social Worker
“Referring to IntriCare feels like handing someone over to family. I don’t have to chase, I don’t have to worry.” – CAMHS Case Coordinator

We don’t just want to tick boxes. We want to build bridges—with you, and with the people we’re all trying to support.


Final Thoughts: The Confidence Comes From Connection


Referring someone for care can feel like a leap into the unknown. But when you partner with a provider who’s clear, consistent, and person-focused, that leap becomes a step forward—for you and for the person you’re trying to help.


At IntriCare, our aim is simple: to make every referral count.


If you're unsure about anything—or just want to run a case past us—we're always open to conversation. You don’t have to navigate complex needs alone. Let’s collaborate, communicate, and care—together.

Managing Family Stress: How to Set Healthy Boundaries During the Festive Season

November 25, 2025
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Helping Your Teen Cope with Loneliness, Grief, or Disappointment During the Holidays

November 25, 2025
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Managing Family Stress: How to Set Healthy Boundaries During the Festive Season

November 25, 2025
The festive season is often presented as a time of warmth, joy, and togetherness, but that image doesn’t always reflect reality. For many families, and especially for teens, this time of year brings a complicated mix of emotions. There may be excitement and connection, but there can also be tension, exhaustion, and unspoken expectations that feel heavy or overwhelming. If you’ve ever noticed that family interactions become more stressful during the holidays, you’re not alone. The combination of disrupted routines, packed schedules, crowded homes, and heightened emotions can turn even the smallest disagreement into a conflict. The good news is that understanding your personal limits, setting boundaries that protect your wellbeing, and responding intentionally when stress rises can make the festive season feel far more manageable for everyone involved. One of the most important steps in navigating holiday dynamics is recognising your own limits before you reach them. Every person has emotional, social, and sensory thresholds, and these thresholds shift depending on stress levels, sleep quality, and overall mental load. You might find that you can handle one family gathering easily but feel drained by another. You might have energy for a morning activity but feel overwhelmed later in the day. When you ignore your limits, frustration builds and conflicts escalate faster. When you notice and respect them, you protect your own emotional stability and reduce tension with the people around you. Paying attention to what drains you, what overstimulates you, and what helps you recharge gives you the insight you need to set boundaries that make sense for you. Setting boundaries during the festive season is not about being difficult or avoiding family. It’s about creating guardrails that help you stay regulated and safe. Boundaries can take the form of limiting the length of visits, choosing when to join conversations, protecting downtime, or deciding which activities are realistic for you. Teens may need breaks from large groups or overstimulating environments. Parents may need clarity about which events their teen can truly handle without emotional fallout. Families often run into conflict because they assume everyone should participate in everything, but the holiday season becomes far calmer when people communicate openly about what they can and cannot do. Saying “I need twenty minutes to myself before we go,” “I’ll join for dinner but not the whole afternoon,” or “I need quiet time after guests leave” is healthy, not selfish. When stress is high, conflict is almost inevitable, but what matters is how you respond once it starts. Holiday tension tends to build quickly because everyone is already carrying extra emotional weight. Small misunderstandings feel bigger, and minor irritations feel personal. When conflict rises, the most effective approach is to slow the moment down instead of pushing through it. Taking a pause, stepping into another room, or giving yourself a few deep breaths can stop an argument from spiralling. Teens often benefit from having a pre-agreed plan with parents such as stepping away when overwhelmed or using a phrase that signals “I need a break before I react.” Parents can help by not chasing the conversation when someone is overstimulated and instead allowing space for everyone to reset. Returning to the discussion only when both sides are calmer leads to far better outcomes than trying to resolve everything in the middle of emotional heat. Clear, respectful communication makes boundaries easier to uphold, and having simple scripts can help both teens and parents express their needs without escalating tension. Teens might say, “I want to participate but I need a little downtime first,” or “I’m feeling overwhelmed and need a few minutes alone.” Parents might say, “I’m not upset—I just want to understand what you’re feeling,” or “Let’s take a break and talk when we’re both calmer.” The goal of these scripts is not to sound rehearsed, but to give you the language to express your limits without triggering defensiveness or misunderstanding. In moments of stress, it’s easy to default to snapping, shutting down, or withdrawing; having a few supportive phrases ready makes it easier to communicate your needs in a way others can hear. Through all of this, maintaining a sense of safety and emotional regulation should be the priority. Holidays often activate old patterns, family tensions, or childhood memories, which can intensify reactions for both teens and parents. When people feel emotionally safe, they communicate better, recover from conflicts faster, and experience the holidays more peacefully. Safety comes from calm tones, predictable expectations, patience, and the understanding that everyone is doing their best. When families shift their focus from trying to control each other’s behaviour to supporting one another’s wellbeing, the entire atmosphere changes. The home feels less combative and more collaborative.  If the holidays have ever felt stressful, overwhelming, or emotionally draining, it doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with your family. It simply means you’re human, and this time of year amplifies everything—both the good and the hard. By recognising your limits, setting boundaries that protect your energy, taking pauses when conflict rises, and communicating your needs with clarity, you create space for a more manageable and meaningful holiday season. These strategies aren’t about avoiding family; they’re about navigating the season with greater emotional awareness and less pressure. With a little intentionality and compassion, both teens and parents can experience the festive season with more stability, more understanding, and far less stress.