Guidelines for Referrers

1. The Centre is based at St Thomas’ Church London E5 off Oldhill Street, N16 and opens every Saturday from 10am to 1.pm

2. Please do not refer a client without contacting the Centre to check on the availability of space and time.

3. Referral fees are reviewed every September. Please contact the Centre Manager for the current fees. The Centre Manager should receive the referral form and referral fee which covers administration, at least one week in advance of the date your client would like contact to commence. The fee will cover up to 13 sessions. Please make cheques payable to Children First

4. Families are taken on a first come first served basis. Priority is given to families residing in Hackney and Haringey.

5. Only people named on the referral form will be allowed admittance to the Centre.

6. Parents are responsible for their children whilst they are at the Centre.

7. Please ensure that both parents have read and understood the Centre rules and that they have signed the user’s agreement in advance of contact starting and also that they have a copy of our information leaflet which has a map at the back..

8. To try and maintain a friendly impartial and confidential environment we would request that you do not at any time ask to see your clients on our premises. CAFCASS officers are welcome to observe contact with prior agreement.

9. Unless a child is deemed to be at risk of harm, the Centre Manager will only disclose the dates and times of a family's attendance to referring agencies or the courts.

10. Unless there are exceptional circumstances the Centre will not accept anybody who has been convicted of offences against or involving children.

11. The Centre reserves the right to reduce or terminate contact if it is felt to be in the best interest of the child.

12. Please notify the Centre Manager if the arrangements for contact are going to change or if contact ceases.

13. Both legal representatives should sign the referral form before submitting it to avoid delays.

14. Please send sae if you need more information leaflets stating which language. We have these in English, Bengali and Turkish.

15. Centre’s policies are available from the Centre Manager at the above address on request.

To Download Referral Form Click Here