Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare for initial assessment
- Establish need for broad-based holistic assessment of person's needs based on referral or other documentation in line with organisation policy and procedures
- Establish rapport with person and obtain their consent to participate in the assessment process
- Identify additional stakeholders such as carers and family members whose input is required into the assessment process and outcomes
- Identify range of information, products and resources to be utilised in the assessment process
- Structure the assessment process to focus on identifying opportunities to build on strengths, improve functional capacity and participation in social and community activities
- Organise appropriate time and place for assessment in conjunction with the person being assessed and associated carers, support workers and family where appropriate
- Identify appropriate assessment tools and processes according to organisation policy and procedures
- Explain privacy and confidentiality principles, practices and procedures
- Ensure interpreter is available and has been briefed, where required
- Conduct assessment
- Ensure communication with all people involved in the assessment is in language or form they understand
- Clearly explain the assessment process and how information is used, including legal requirements and organisation policy and processes for mandatory reporting
- Implement risk management processes, as required, to ensure safety of person being assessed and others involved in the assessment, including workers
- Ensure appropriate and empowering involvement of the person, their carer/s and family in the assessment process
- Use appropriate assessment tools and processes to identify, clarify and prioritise needs of the person, their carer/s and family, especially where there are multiple and complex issues involved
- Collect and document information about the person, using an assessment tool if appropriate, including their:
- family, housing, financial situation, health
- social relationships
- ability to undertake activities of daily living
- relevant problems, if any
- Where multi-organisation assessments are undertaken, take steps to ensure coordinated and streamlined approach to assessment, with consultation to avoid duplication and support sharing of information
- Ensure those involved in the assessment are assisted to identify and prioritise the person's goals, needs and any risk factors
- Ensure the assessment provides an effective basis for establishing a care plan to provide required services whilst optimising the person's independence and self management capacity
- Where carers are involved, ensure the assessment focuses on and empowers the care relationship rather than treating the individual in isolation
- Ensure carers are informed about their role and rights in the assessment and decision-making processes, where appropriate, including their right to assessment of their own needs
- continued ...
- Conduct assessment (contd)
- Undertake ongoing assessment and review
- Respond appropriately to informal monitoring of health and well being of the person and/or their carer by workers, volunteers, carers or family
- Undertake regular and systematic reviews to ensure assessed needs of clients are being addressed effectively
- Use regular reviews to re-prioritise client needs for service and to ensure equitable access based on ongoing appraisal of prioritised needs
- Undertake reassessment of client needs in response to changes in client or carer health, review of risk management / OHS needs as specified in person's care plan or as required by personal circumstances
- Respond appropriately to diversity
- Ensure equitable access and culturally sensitive assessment processes are provided for CALD and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Ensure appropriate interpreter support is provided in line with organisation protocols
- Where appropriate, build and maintain relationships with ethno-specific and multicultural organisations
- Where appropriate, build and maintain relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations
- Recognise and support the role of ethno-specific, multicultural, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations in linking their communities into the service system
- Use assessment processes and practices designed to build trust and confidence in mainstream services
- Where appropriate involve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and/or organisation representatives in the assessment process
- Respond appropriately to people with different levels of need including people with complex needs
- Recognise the significant needs of people in complex circumstances in relation to supporting their access to assessment
- Facilitate access to assessment for people with different levels of need including those in complex circumstances and identified as having high levels of need
- Develop and maintain inter-organisation relationships and agreements as appropriate to address client, family and carer needs
- Recognise the need for secondary consultation, medication administration/monitoring or additional specialist assessment, such as to be undertaken by a specified health professional, where the person's health is unstable to ensure the appropriate multi-disciplinary approach is applied
- Identify and build on person's motivation to improve their functional capacity and set their own goals