South London Jewish Community Services

Looking for help

Getting the vocabulary right

When trying to find support for someone, it's worth having the right vocabulary at one's fingertips. For example, being "worried" about someone may not be as effective as stating that one is ringing to "make a referral." Basically, "making a referral" simply means informing an agency about someone in need. In any event, being ready with the right form of words often makes things move more quickly.

Here are some key terms to be aware of:

Acute

If the situation is particularly urgent, describe the person's needs as "acute"
Advocacy

Asking for help on a particular person's behalf.
Assessment

The formal process of identifying an individual's needs and circumstances.
Commissioning

The process by which authorities such as Social Services and Primary Care Trusts may decide which organisations get contracts to provide care services.
Making a Referral

First step in contacting social care agency
Need

Try to focus on the individual's needs rather than your own worries
Race, religion, culture

The authorities are nowadays obliged to find services which address people's particular cultural and religious circumstances, so Jewish people in need, (once assessed),should have access to care and support from service providers in the Jewish community(if that is what they prefer)
Vulnerability

Another key term and concept, quite closely related to being "At risk"