Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2024

Course Code: HWSS6084C

Course Title: Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues

Important Information:

Please note that this course has compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching and assesment activities.  

School: 535T Social Care and Health

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4364 - Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs

Course Contact: Jennifer Furby

Course Contact Phone: 9925 8310

Course Contact Email: jennifer.furby@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 135

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

In this unit you will develop the skills and knowledge required to screen and assess clients presenting with  AOD and Mental Health related issues. You will also gain an understanding of the approaches to working with Intoxicated clients.

This unit applies in a range of community service contexts.

 This course is part of the cluster "Engagement" and is delivered and assessed with:

  • CHCCCS004: Assess co-existing needs
  • CHCAOD002: Work with clients who are Intoxicated
  • CHCCCS004: Assess co-existing needs


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCAOD004 Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues

Element:

1. Prepare for assessment

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Review existing information about the client and consult with relevant health or community services professionals based on client needs

1.2 Discuss with the client reasons for seeking help and other information that may assist in establishing a basis for further work

1.3 Explain organisation parameters of confidentiality and policy/procedures to client

1.4 Inform the client of the assessment purpose and process

1.5 Confirm client’s understanding of the purpose and process of assessment

Element:

2. Conduct assessment

 

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Identify history and pattern of client’s drug use through client discussion and questioning

2.2 Identify and clarify co-existing issues in consultation with the client

2.3 Identify the clients key familial and social relationships and how they are impacted by their AOD use

2.4 Assess current status, patterns of use and levels of dependence using standardised or approved AOD screening and assessment tools

2.5 Collaborate with other health processionals as indicated by assessment

2.6 Identify indicators of other issues that may affect work with the client through observation and questioning

Element:

3. Record assessment and provide feedback

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Accurately record assessment results according to defined guidelines

3.2 Apply organisation criteria to determine entry to, or exclusion from, services

3.3 Prepare clear and comprehensive client assessment report

3.4 Provide feedback to the client based on assessment report

Element:

4. Identify and respond to need for referral

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Identify client issues that are outside the scope of the service and/or the scope of the worker

4.2 Identify appropriate service and other support options for the client and their family members

4.3 Inform the client of possible options and reasons for seeking other service and support options

4.4 Confirm the client’s understanding of options

4.5 Work with the client to determine referral options and responsibilities

4.6 Make referral with client consent

4.7 Provide assessment information to others, including relevant health and/or community services professionals according to consent requirements

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements.


Details of Learning Activities

Classes where information is shared through talks and group discussions, and exercises are conducted to apply learning. Time in class, will also be spent working on applied assessment tasks.

The learning activities for this course will include:

  • class discussion
  • group work
  • case study analysis
  • knowledge questions


Teaching Schedule

Week

Topic

Week1

 

Effectively engaging with Clients – What is person-centred practice?

Strengths based practice.

Stages of change

Screening & Assessment tools

Mindfulness

 

Week 2

 

We take a further look at screening & assessment – What is involved, and what makes a “good” assessment?

 

Week 3

 

Becoming familiar with the various tools used in the AOD sector and applying these to the upcoming role plays.

 

Week 4

 

Case note writing – Ensuring your record keeping meets the legal requirements.

Opportunity to practice, in pairs, our upcoming role plays.

 

Week 5

 

Assessment Task 1 Role Play – Ben. You will be allocated a day and time to complete this task. Please see the Student Assessment guide for further details.

 

Week 6

 

Assessment Task 1 Role Play – Ben. You will be allocated a day and time to complete this task. Please see the Student Assessment guide for further details.

 

Week 7

 

Suicide and safety planning.

A brief look at responding to suicidal ideation and conducting a safety plan with the client.

 

Week 8

 

Assessment Task 2 Role Play - Lisa. You will be allocated a day and time to complete this task. Please see the Student Assessment guide for further details.

 

Week 9

Assessment Task 2 Role Play – Lisa. You will be allocated a day and time to complete this task. Please see the Student Assessment guide for further details.

 

Week 10

Identifying and responding to risk.

Using the Brief Risk Assessment template

 

Week 11

 

Assessment and management of Intoxication – how to respond to clients under the influence of a substance.

Conditions that may mimic or mask Intoxication and the need for a comprehensive assessment.

 

Week 12

 

Assessment Task 3 Role Play – Akira. You will be allocated a day and time to complete this task. Please see the Student Assessment guide for further details.

 

Week 13

Assessment Task 3 Role Play – Akira. You will be allocated a day and time to complete this task. Please see the Student Assessment guide for further details

 

 

Week 14

 

Collaborating with other services to establish professional relationships and how this can support workers to make appropriate referrals.

 

Week 15

 

Adolescents – Developmental issues and treatment approaches.

Drug use and the developing brain.

 

Week 16

 

Assessment Task 4 Peer review/Case review Role Play. You will be allocated a day and time to complete this task. Please see the Student Assessment guide for further details.

 

Week 17

 

Assessment Task 4 Peer review/Case review Role Play. You will be allocated a day and time to complete this task. Please see the Student Assessment guide for further details.

 

Week 18

 

Homelessness – What is it? Implications of homelessness

Predisposing issues, Barriers

Available services.

 

Week 19

 

Knowledge questions AT5 – In-class. Individually or in groups.

Week 20

 

Conducting a Mental State Examination (MSE)

Why we screen for potential mental health issues and how this may impact on a client’s recovery.

 

Week 21

 

Revision/Outstanding assessment completions

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:
The learning Lab
www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab
The Study Support Hub
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub
English for uni workshops
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/workshops/english-uni-workshops


Overview of Assessment

This unit is part of an integrated program. You must demonstrate critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit. 


Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks. You may be assessed by: 
• Oral or written questioning 
• Oral presentations 
• Assignments and projects 
• Direct observation of work practice 


Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions, through individual and group feedback on practical exercises and by individual consultation. 

Regular attendance is necessary.

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the Program Co-ordinator or the Equitable Learning Services team if you would like to find out more.  

Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on Canvas.  


Assessment Tasks

Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks. You may be assessed by: 
• Oral or written questioning 
• Oral presentations 
• Assignments and projects 
• Direct observation of work practice. 

Full assessment briefs are provided in Canvas.

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills to a standard expected in the workplace. To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.

Regular attendance is necessary.

You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for a full assessment criterion.

Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessments are:
CA - Competency Achieved
NYC - Not Yet Competent
DNS - Did not submit for assessment 

 This course is part of the cluster "Engagement" and is delivered and assessed with:

  • CHCCCS004: Assess co-existing needs
  • CHCAOD002: Work with clients who are Intoxicated
  • CHCCCS004: Assess co-existing needs

You will be given two (2) attempts for each assessment to demonstrate the required knowledge and skills. A third (3rd) attempt can only be offered after discussions between teacher and the Program Coordinator and is not automatic. Resubmissions beyond two (2) attempts are at the discretion of the teacher and/or coordinator.


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency.

The assessment matrix is in Canvas, at the end of each assessment task.

Other Information

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: rmit.edu.au/students

Course Overview: Access Course Overview