Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess capacity to support people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues and to work collaboratively to provide support and facilitate links to other services.
This unit applies to work with people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs (AOD) assessments in a range of community services work contexts.
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. Assess capacity to provide support to a person with co-existing mental health and AOD issues | 1.1 Recognise and respond to signs indicating that a person may have co-existing mental health and AOD issues 1.2 Identify own service provision and possible agency programs or interventions suitable for a person with dual diagnosis 1.3 Assess the impact and nature of co-existing conditions on the person, including their social, financial and legal status 1.4 Work with the person to understand their readiness, motivation, priorities and goals for recovery in relation to both their mental health and alcohol and other drug issues 1.5 Research or consult with specialist services, as needed, to gather additional specific information about the relevant AOD substances and their interactions or possible impacts on someone with mental health issues |
2. Work collaboratively to provide support services to address co-existing issues | 2.1 Build an effective working relationship with the person 2.2 Discuss with the person their existing services and supports, and their perspective on collaboration or coordination across services 2.3 Gather and review information on available service options and approaches with the person 2.4 Support person to make informed decisions about approaches, including resources and services 2.5 Develop and document a plan with the person that reflects choices made 2.6 Work collaboratively with the person to facilitate the implementation of appropriate strategies, services and resources |
3. Facilitate links to further care | 3.1 Identify issues that are outside the scope of the service and/or the scope of the worker 3.2 Collaboratively identify appropriate service and other support options with the person 3.3 Support positive decision making to assist the person to make informed choices about recovery options 3.4 Work collaboratively with the person to determine referral options, and responsibilities and consents required 3.5 Make referrals in consultation with the person and in line with organisation protocols 3.6 Follow up and evaluate referrals to ensure they have been effective |
4. Collaborate with the person to minimise risk | 4.1 Work collaboratively with the person to proactively identify potential risks to safety of person, workers and others 4.2 Prevent risks by identifying triggers, strategies to manage risks and contingency options 4.3 Use evidence based de-escalation techniques, conflict resolution and negotiation skills to manage conflict 4.4 Identify emergency situations and seek immediate assistance 4.5 Comply with laws, relevant ethical guidelines and policy requirements that affect duty of care and dignity of risk |
5. Review and report on support provided | 5.1 Develop and maintain records of services provided, decisions made and follow up actions in collaboration with the person 5.2 Communicate relevant information to work colleagues and other people working with the person, with the persons consent 5.3 Reflect on own role in providing support and use learning to enhance future practice 5.4 Seek advice, supervision and debriefing from workplace supervisor based on identified needs |
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. | |