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Social Work vocabulary · Services and Multi-Agency Work

Signpost

Meaning in social work, with examples

/ˈsaɪnpəʊst/verbCommon term

In social work, signpost means: To give someone information about another service that could help them, so that they can contact it themselves.

In Turkish: yönlendirmek, bilgilendirip yönlendirmek

How it is used

Common in British services. Signposting is lighter than a referral: the worker gives contact details or a leaflet but does not formally pass the case on. It is often used when someone does not meet the threshold for a service.

Example sentences

  1. We signposted him to the local debt advice service.

  2. If a caller doesn't need social care, signpost them to the right agency.

Common collocations

  • signpost to a service
  • signposting information
  • advice and signposting
  • signpost families to support
  • referralA formal request passing a person or a concern to another service or professional so that they can assess the situation or provide help.
  • intakeThe first stage of contact with a service, when basic information is collected and a decision is made about what should happen next.
  • NGOShort for non-governmental organisation: an independent, non-profit organisation that works on social, humanitarian or environmental issues.
  • eligibilityMeeting the conditions, such as age, income, need or residence, that are required to receive a service or payment.

More terms: Services and Multi-Agency Work

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