Citizens Advice
Refernet is a perfect fit for Citizens Advice.
Purpose built for Advice in the UK
Citizens Advice and Refernet
Refernet was originally developed to help local advice organisations receive and manage referrals securely from trusted partner agencies. Over the years, it has become a proven solution for Citizens Advice bureaux looking to build stronger referral networks within their communities.
Why use Refernet, when you have Casebook?
Refernet comes in as an additional network for Citizens Advice who need to enable partners to refer between each other, and for CA to refer out as well. This is where there needs to been a politically neutral referral space 'not owned by any one partner', a significant factor is some cases.
Referrals can be received from partner organisations, sent to external services, or shared between approved agencies within the network, creating a joined-up approach to supporting clients.
Many Refernet networks are led by Citizens Advice and supported through partnerships with local authorities, charities and other community organisations.
Connecting local partners
Advice services regularly work with a wide range of organisations, all with different systems and ways of working. Refernet provides a secure, shared platform that enables referrals to be sent, received and tracked in one place.
This improves communication between partners, creates accountability through a clear audit trail, and helps ensure clients are connected to the right support more quickly.
Don't take our word for it. We will connect you Citizens Advice teams who are using Refernet.
Invitations
The most successful networks have a local champion who promotes the service and encourages organisations to participate.
This typically involves:
- Inviting new agencies and community groups into the network.
- Supporting users during onboarding and training.
- Encouraging ongoing engagement and good referral practice.
Combined with automated notifications and reminders, this helps keep referral activity active and effective across the network..
Simple referrals and outcomes
Refernet is designed to make referrals straightforward.
Referral forms can be tailored to local requirements, but we encourage networks to keep them simple. The easier it is for advisers and partner organisations to make referrals, the more likely the system is to be used consistently.
Organisations can define and report on outcomes across the network, helping demonstrate impact, identify trends and support funding applications.
Importantly, Refernet is a referral management platform, not a case management system. Agencies continue to use their existing case recording systems while Refernet provides a secure and accountable way to connect services and track referral journeys.
Why choose Rerfenet?
- Refernet is independently owned, and is often seen as a ’neutral' platform for a wide range of advice partner organisations, who are cautious of sharing data online.
- Being outside of the hub-bub and ‘politics' means Refernet helps create a level playing field amongst competing agencies. Providing a third party system like Refernet is a benefit to achieving the all important “buy-in", particularly with the larger charities and bigger organisations.
- True neutrality creates the effect of equality - and agencies in a Refernet network (big and small) can refer between each other - not just to-or-from the owner's agency.
- Local council funding is widespread amongst many Refernet networks, often making it affordable to use within that network. In some regions Refernet is being recharged at more than the cost of the system, generating valuable profit for the core Advice Agency group running the system.
- Refernet is proven to pay for itself, and has been doing so for many years, reliably and securely.
- Refernet is built to do just referral, and is simple to use.
Registered Office
38 Holland Road
Hove
East Sussex
BN3 1JL
Telephone
01273 244099
User support
Please visit your Refernet system page and find your support email at the bottom.
Email general enquiries
info@refernet.co.uk
Refernet is a service developed, built, provided and supported by ViccariWheele Ltd