Not accepted for assessment

Services receive more referrals than they can assess, so most screen what comes in against local criteria. If yours is turned down, the letter may say the referral referral When a professional passes your child on to a specialist team for assessment or treatment. A GP, school or health visitor can usually make one. Read the full definition of referral was not accepted, was returned, or did not meet referral criteria.

This is a decision about a piece of paper, not about your child. Nobody has assessed your child, and it does not mean help is not needed or that you were wrong to ask.

It is reasonable to ask three things: the reason, the criteria that were applied, and what extra evidence would change the decision. Your GP GP Your family doctor. For many families the GP is the first person to talk to, and the person who refers your child on to a specialist. Read the full definition of GP can send SEND SEND is England's word for children who need extra help to learn. The rest of the UK uses other words, and other rules. Read the full definition of SEND the referral again with more detail, and observations from school often make the difference. If you want help understanding the decision or raising a concern about it, PALS in England, or the equivalent service in your nation, can point you the right way.