All children:
When you refer a child or young person to us, we will read the referral carefully to understand what support the child may need and how best we can support them.
We will usually make contact with the child’s parent or carer via telephone*, using the contact details provided in the referral. We may speak to a young person directly, if the form indicates this and it is appropriate. We will explain we are calling from The Bridge and discuss the support options available to them. Our client care plans our tailored to the child’s individual needs and we will consider what health, emotional, psychological and practical support may be useful to the child at this time. We will make onward referrals where necessary.
We aim to make contact within two working days of receiving the referral**. We attempt to make contact with clients on three occasions. If we are unsuccessful on the third attempt then, where consent is given in the referral, we will will send an email or letter to let the client know we have tried to reach them and how they can get in contact with us. You can also re-refer at any time.
We will always check in with the child or young person about how they are doing currently, and where consent is given we will send them child/young person-specific self-help information, resources, and useful telephone numbers.
*Telephone calls from The Bridge will usually show as number withheld. Please let your client know this, so they can expect our call. If you tell us it is safe to leave a voicemail and we are unable to get through, we will leave the client a message telling them how to call us back.
**Please note this may be longer in times of exceptional demand (up to five working days). Please advise your client to contact us directly if they do not hear from us within five working days of you sending the referral.
If you are supporting a child or young person who has made a disclosure of, or there is a concern of, rape, sexual assault, or abuse occurring 7 days ago or less, please call us on 0117 342 6999 immediately.
Children living in Bath and North East Somerset, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire or Swindon who have reported non-recent abuse or for whom non-recent abuse is strongly suspected:
Some children from these areas may also be eligible for support and a non-recent assessment from the Avon River Clinic team. More information about this service can be found here.
Children who reside in Bristol, South Gloucestershire or North Somerset and require a non-recent assessment may be referred to the STAR Clinic instead. Please note, even when a STAR Clinic referral is required, children and young people living in Bristol, South Gloucestershire or North Somerset can still be referred to The Bridge for other care and support (referrals to therapeutic support etc.).
If you are supporting a child or young person who has made a disclosure of, or there is a concern of, rape, sexual assault, or abuse occurring 7 days ago or less, please call us on 0117 342 6999 immediately.