Course Title: Work effectively with clients with complex alcohol and/or other drugs issues

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2012

Course Code: HWSS5623C

Course Title: Work effectively with clients with complex alcohol and/or other drugs issues

School: 365T Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5289 - Diploma of Community Services (Alcohol, other drugs and mental health)

Course Contact : Xenia Girdler

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4660

Course Contact Email:xenia.girdler@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 75

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This course describes the knowledge and skills required to provide a range of services to meet the needs of clients who may have alcohol and other drugs (AOD) issues, which may be combined with other issues

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	CHCAOD510A Work effectively with clients with complex alcohol and/or other drugs issues
Element:	Provide services to meet client needs Plan and implement harm minimisation and relapse prevention strategies Provide support for additional needs Review client progress Evaluate work undertaken with clients
Performance Criteria:	1.Provide services to meet client needs 1.1Establish strategies to develop effective working relationships with clients to enable the delivery of targeted services 1.2Negotiate goals and action plans with the client and document in accordance with organisation procedures 1.3Carry out early or short-term programs with clients as appropriate 1.4Negotiate comprehensive and longer care programs with the client as appropriate 1.5Put in place arrangements to meet the specific needs of clients 1.6Provide client with relevant and current information on alcohol and other drugs and related issues and discuss 1.7Provide assistance with daily living as appropriate and in accordance with organisation policies and procedures and service guidelines 1.8Provide immediate help or referral for critical incidents arising from client's alcohol and other drugs use 1.9Identify relevant occupational health and safety, legal, ethical and duty of care considerations and incorporate in service delivery. 1.10Plan and implement relapse prevention strategies 1.11Assist clients with strategies and actions to reduce drug related harm to themselves 1.12Make referrals to relevant agencies that can assist clients to address other specific needs 2.Plan and implement harm minimisation and relapse prevention strategies 2.1Plan and implement relapse prevention strategies 2.2Assist clients with strategies and actions to prevent and/or reduce drug related harm to themselves and others 2.3Assist client to identify indicators of possible relapse 3.Provide support for additional needs 3.1Determine additional client issues likely to have an influence on treatment and rehabilitation 3.2Determine additional service and support needs 3.3Identify client issues that are outside the scope of the service and/or the scope of the worker 3.4Inform the client of possible options 3.5Inform the client of the reasons for seeking other service and support options 3.6Confirm the client's understanding of options 3.7Work with the client to determine referral options and responsibilities 3.8Where appropriate, make referral with client consent and within organisation policy and procedures 3.9Work with the client to determine case management requirements 4.Review client progress 4.1Implement processes to ensure client's progress is regularly reviewed against negotiated goals and action plans 4.2Monitor, record and report progress against the plan of care according to organisation guidelines 4.3Negotiate revised action plans and timelines and write into the plan of care as needed 4.4Negotiate client exit from the program with the client and provide support in accordance with organisation policies and available resources 4.5Review outcomes of client work with supervisor and /or colleagues in accordance with organisation policies and procedures 5.Evaluate work undertaken with clients 5.1Review outcomes of client work against care plan goals and document in accordance with organisation policies and procedures 5.2Discuss outcomes with clients and appropriate persons inside or outside the organisation and document in accordance with organisation policies and procedures 5.3Put in place processes to ensure feedback from supervisors, clients and other workers and reflection on own practices are incorporated in work activities and services provided 5.4Identify professional development needs and options and access to ensure ongoing competence

Learning Outcomes

Details of Learning Activities

The course is made up of a mixture of: workshops - facilitated by leading industry experts, small group assignments and work-based reflections and assessments which encourage experiential learning. This range of learning and assessment methods is a deliberate attempt to harness and utilise your diverse skill base and current capacity to work in the sector. Guest facilitators and speakers will be brought in from a wide range of disciplines and service areas to enhance your learning. Areas to be covered will include: clinical and non-clinical assessment and management, culturally sensitive practice, counselling and support, forensic services and pharmacotherapy. There will also be opportunities for you to share your knowledge and expertise via small group work and larger group presentations. Trainers and facilitators will be required to draw on the wide ranging skills and expertise of the leaner group – thus ensuring material is relevant and meaningful.

Teaching Schedule

Date and Time	Title and Focus
Introduction October 21st 10.00am - 2.00pm	Program Introduction This first  gathering of the group provides students with an opportunity to learn about the program - workshop structure, assessment processes and expectations - and to be guided through enrolment.
Workshop 1 November 18th 10.00 -4.00pm	Breaking down the barriers This workshop will give students the opportunity to: reflect upon and share their professional experiences and expertise explore each other’s sector-specific practices examine and question the barriers which exist.
Workshop 2 January 20 2012 10.00 - 4.00pm	Sector Orientation This workshop will focus on how to effectively share our knowledge, share our language and support our clients.  Students will be introduced to their case study and begin to explore the presenting issues and support needs within their assigned "working group".
Workshop 3 February 17 2012 10.00 - 4.00pm	Intervention, Change and Recovery This workshop will explore the underpinning principles of the two key concepts in AOD and MH health work - AOD - Intervention and change MH - Recovery Acknowledging the differences in language whilst exploring how these differences do not necessarily represent a difference in approach
Workshop 4 March 16 2012 10.00 - 4.00pm	Working with the family This workshop continues to explore the principles of recover, intervention and change whilst examining our practice in relation to the case study.  Students will also get to work with one or more carers throughout the day
Workshop 5 April 20 2012 10.00 - 4.00pm	Assessments This workshop will focus on: introduction of one of the major assessment tasks reporting back on how students are working with their client/case study The purpose of assessment tools - why do we need them.  What does your service currently use and identify the strengths and weaknesses of these.  What information do we really need if working with a dual diagnosis focus Students will also hear from a variety of professionals who conduct assessments to determine pathways of care for clients with complex needs.
Workshop 6 May 11 2012 10.00 - 4.00pm	Tools of the Trade Borderline Personality Disorder (level 1)
Workshop 7 May 18 21012 10.00 - 4.00pm	Tools of the Trade Chroming
Workshop 8 June 15 2012 10.00 - 4.00pm	Tools of the Trade Narrative Therapy
Workshop 9 June 22 2012 10.00 - 4.00pm	Tools of the Trade Borderline Personality Disorder (level 2)
Workshop 10 June 29 2012 10.00 - 4.00pm	Tools of the Trade Victorian Transcultural Psychiatry Unit

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

Learning resources such as unit reading and unit references will be provided to all students via their program folders and also placed within the blackboard site as required.

Overview of Assessment

This course will be assessed via a number of class based and work-integrated
tasks.  To be deemed competent in this course you will be required to demonstrate
your skills knowledge and attitude through -

case study - you will be placed into a small working group and assessed on your
ability to case manage a fictitious client over the duration of the course

assessment and screening tool - in your small working group you will be require
to develop an assessment tool which will provide you with the information required
to develop an effective treatment-recovery plan for your case study client

self and supervisor assessments

class presentations

direct observation of actual and simulated class based activities

Assessment Tasks

All assessments within this course are designed to compliment learner’s work within the community services sector.

For Semester 1 2012 you will not be required to submit any of the outlined assessment tasks however you will be introduced to and commence work on the assessment tasks and be guided throughout the workshops on expectations and progress you need to be making in order to achieve competency in Semester 2 2012.

Case Study:
In workshop one you will be introduced to your own case study which is reflective of the current client and family groups you work with. In workshop two you will be placed into small learning groups and commence to case manage the client via your Case Study. The journey you take with this client will become part of a major assessment task as groups develop assessment tools and case plans to meet the ever-changing needs of their client.

To be marked as competent in this assessment task you must –

Demonstrate high-level judgement and autonomy required to effectively work with people with complex and/or multiple issues
Select and apply assessment tools appropriately
Identify and manage risk (including self harm and suicide)
Provide opportunities for meaningful; consumer and carer engagement
Make whole life assessments
Work within a recovery focused framework
Apply relevant monitoring and review techniques

Assessment Tool:
In your working groups you will be required to develop an assessment tool which will provide the information required to develop an effective treatment/recovery plan for your case study client. This assessment tool needs to be able to provide a clear understanding of your case study’s current situation and support requirements. In developing this tool it is important you consider the tools currently in use, what information you will require and provide evidence to support your use of the tool.

To be marked as competent in this assessment task you must –

Demonstrate high-level judgement and autonomy required to effectively work with people with complex and/or multiple issues
Select and apply assessment tools appropriately
Identify and manage risk (including self harm and suicide)
Provide opportunities for meaningful; consumer and carer engagement
Make whole life assessments
Work within a recovery focused framework
Apply relevant monitoring and review techniques

Self and Supervisor Assessments:
You and your work-place supervisors will assess your skills, knowledge and attitude against the critical aspects of the nineteen (19) units making up this qualification. It is anticipated this assessment will form the basis of your professional supervision and reflective practice thus embedding your learning within existing work practice.

Health Promotion Campaign:
You are required to develop a health promotion campaign– on a topic relevant to Dual Diagnosis and targeted to a community of your choosing. This campaign must be reflective of an identified need – through research and evidence. It may be undertaken in a group or individually. The campaign does not need to be undertaken – simply designed. An evaluation process must also be considered and included as part of the overall design.

To be marked as competent in this assessment task you must demonstrate your knowledge of:

Community attitudes toward mental health and AOD issues
The impact of stigma
The importance of health promotion and prevention
Feedback mechanisms
A range of promotional resources
And their ability to:
Engage community members in prevention and promotional activities
Match strategies to target audience
Budget development and management
Time management

Assessment Matrix

Course Overview: Access Course Overview