Carers and families

CHCCSM003 Work with carers and/or families in complex situations

This unit is about identifying and addressing the needs of carers and/or families in complex situations. It applies to a range of community services contexts, particularly in client assessment and case management, working with clients who have complex needs and require complex solutions. Workers at this level demonstrate autonomy, well-developed judgement, adaptability and responsibility and are typically already experienced in working intensively with clients requiring support.

 

How you will be assessed

RE CA

You will be assessed on the job under industry operating conditions:

You will be assessed through:

As part of the assessment, you must demonstrate appropriate inclusion of at least three carers and/or families or other appropriate supports in assessment, planning, implementation and review processes related to the provision of services and resources to support the care relationship in complex situations

 

Interview/Assignment

RK

  1. Describe your organization's requirements and practices for documentation.
  2. What are "complex situations" when work with families and/or carers?
  3. What legal and ethical considerations apply to work with families and/or carers in complex situations? How do these apply to your organization's policies and procedures and individual practice, including:
    1. professional standards and codes of ethics
    2. practitioner/client boundaries
    3. rights and responsibilities of client, carer, family and other significant supports
    4. non-malfeasance
    5. mandatory reporting
  4. What is the significance of the service delivery setting, e.g. working in the client's home?
  5. What is the nature of the family care relationship and family dynamics? How might this affect service delivery and achievement of client goals?
  6. Describe mediation, conflict resolution and problem solving techniques. Give examples.
  7. Describe risks to the care relationship, including:
    1. conflict in relationships with family or service providers
    2. high intensity care
    3. high levels of carer stress
    4. loss of formal or informal supports
    5. multiple competing role demands
    6. deteriorating carer health
    7. deteriorating health or behaviour of the client

Note: Your assessor may also ask you a variety of what if questions.

 

Detailed requirements

1. Identify and address the needs of carers and/or families El 1/PC, RS

  1. Work with carers and/or families of clients with complex needs to clarify their own needs and identify available support options
  2. Provide information to assist carers and/or families and meet their needs
  3. Recognise the multi-dimensional and dynamic nature of caring relationships and respond appropriately to support individual relationships with each client
  4. Observe changes in the caring relationship over time and respond appropriately to those changes to address needs of both carers and/or families and client
  5. Recognise the key risk factors of the care relationship and respond appropriately to address these
  6. Treat carers and/or family with dignity, respect and sensitivity to cultural issues and expectations in the caring relationship
  7. Inform service providers of specific identified needs of carers and/or families
  8. Identify the needs of children with parents with complex needs and apply strategies to address these needs
  9. Identify when children have adopted the caring role and ensure young carer’s needs are addressed

2. Involve carers and/or families in assessment and planning processes El 2/PC, RS

  1. Consult with the client to clarify and agree on the role and involvement of primary carers and/or family members in the decision-making and service delivery processes
  2. Assess the care relationship and address the needs and areas of conflict of the client and carers and/or families
  3. Inform carers of their role and rights in assessment of the client, planning, decision-making and their right to a separate carer assessment
  4. Undertake a carer assessment that empowers and strengthens carer relationships with service providers
  5. Provide carers with clear information of available services and choices, so they are informed participants in the planning process
  6. Consult with all organisation representatives involved in assessment and planning in complex situations to clarify carer and/or family involvement
  7. Check that services are provided in a way that:
    1. recognises and optimizes the caring relationship
    2. maximises each person's strengths
    3. achieves their goals and addresses their identified needs
  8. Maximize agreed involvement of carers and/or family in assessment, planning, and decision-making
  9. Share and update information with carers and/or family

3. Involve carers and/or family and other natural support in monitoring client plan implementation El 3/PC, RS

  1. Confirm that carers and/or family understand the goals that the client identified and the role planned services, support and resources have to achieve those goals
  2. Confirm carers have identified their own goals and the role planned services, support and resources have to achieve those goals
  3. Listen to observations of the client, carers and/or family about aspects of services provided to achieve goals
  4. Maintain effective rapport and communication with carers and/or family to support disclosure of information about delivery of services and resources in line with plan
  5. Maintain collaborative relationships with carers and/or family and other natural supports so that they continue to give the desired support to the client
  6. Work with carers and/or family to identify barriers to implement plans and potential adjustments to best meet each person's needs

4. Review and monitor carer and/or family involvement and satisfaction El 4/PC, RS

  1. Discuss with carers and/or family their satisfaction with how they have been informed and involved
  2. Evaluate how carer and/or family involvement has contributed to or affected achievement of client goals
  3. Use ongoing feedback and findings to adjust your approach to including carers and/or family members

5. Other.

  1. Manage tasks and contingencies on the job
  2. N/a: Follow Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards, and industry codes of practice.

 

Code for unit reqts:
CA: Conditions of assessment
El/PC: Element & criteria
RE: Required evidence
RK: Required knowledge
RS: Required skills

Code for Foundation skills:
L: Learning
Id: Identify beliefs & thinking
R: Reading
W: Writing

N: Numeracy
O: Oral communication
N: Navigate world of work
In: Interact with others
G: Get work done