Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare for and conduct assessments of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) clients to determine eligibility, service requirements and referral needs. This includes knowledge of factors affecting assessment for a range of different client groups including different genders, youth, older people, mandated and voluntary clients, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
This unit applies to people involved in the assessment of clients with AOD issues using established organisation or jurisdictional AOD assessment tools.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements define the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element |
1. Prepare for assessment | 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 |
2. Conduct assessment | 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 |
3. Record assessment and provide feedback | 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 |
4. Identify and respond to need for referral | 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 |
Foundation Skills
The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance. |
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. |