Status: National Occupational Standards (NOS)
For this unit you need to counsel groups of individuals about their substance use by planning, preparing and implementing relevant therapeutic group activities using recognised theoretical models. It is intended for those who provide counselling to individuals as part of group activities. Group activities may be substance use specific, such as relapse prevention techniques, or may be general, such as anger management or social skills training. There should be evidence of establishing and managing the counselling process with particular regard to the complexities that emerge when dealing with alcohol and drug related issues in a group setting.
There are three elements:
AI3.1 Plan and prepare therapeutic group activities
AI3.2 Prepare and support individuals through therapeutic group activities
AI3.3 Evaluate agreed therapeutic group activities.
Users of this competence will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies.
This is an optional unit in the Health and Social Care NVQ/SVQ at Level 3.
This competence replaced HSC355 during rationalisation of the database.This workforce competence has indicative links with the following dimension and level within the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (October 2004):
HWB4: Enablement to address health and wellbeing needs
Level 3: Enable people to address specific needs in relation to health and wellbeing
This section provides explanations and definitions of the terms used in this workforce competence. In competences, it is quite common to find words or phrases used which you will be familiar with, but which, in the detail of the competence, may be used in a very particular way.
This section provides guidance on possible areas to be covered in this competence.
Therapeutic group activity | in the form of:
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Boundaries | in respect of:
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Contract | duration frequency commitment to group limitations |
Feedback | may be:
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Circumstances | may include:
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Materials | may include:
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Review | may be with:
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You must ensure that:
1. you establish the purposes and goals of the therapeutic group activity
2. you involve individuals in the planning process at a level appropriate to their abilities and circumstances
3. you check individuals' understanding of options and activities that may be used
4. you examine your own attitude towards drugs and alcohol, monitoring the impact that may have on the group
5. you are aware of own limitations, knowledge base and skill level
6. you conduct planning using a consistent theoretical base informed by recognised theoretical models
7. you anticipate any potential constraints or opportunities in the group and incorporate these into the planning
8. you prepare materials that are relevant and appropriate to the individuals in the group
9. you establish criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of activities.
You must ensure that:
1. you arrange the environment in a way that encourages the full participation of all the individuals in the group
2. you discuss expectations and agree objectives with group members
3. you explain the nature of therapeutic group work, including benefits, possible constraints and boundaries
4. you establish a group contract that defines confidentiality, is realistic and agreed by all group members
5. you demonstrate positive regard, empathy and a non-judgmental attitude to all individuals in the group and encourage a shared responsibility in this
6. you use a consistent theoretical base informed by recognised theoretical models
7. you give individuals sufficient information and guidance, at an appropriate level and pace to maximise their involvement
8. you provide a suitable variety of therapeutic group activities to maximise involvement
9. you give and facilitate constructive feedback in a manner, level and pace that enhances individuals' learning and development in the group
10. you manage disruption in a way that is constructive, inclusive and in keeping with agreed boundaries
11. you monitor your thoughts, feelings and emotional reactions to the group and individuals in the group so that you can correctly attribute them
12. you monitor and review the group processes and activities to ensure they remain of value to all individuals in the group
13. records of activities, agreements, contracts are accurate, legible, complete, up to date and secure
14. you comply with all relevant legislation, agency codes of practice, guidelines, professional and ethical requirements.
You must ensure that:
1. you encourage and support individuals to give feedback on the therapeutic group activity
2. you review the outcomes of the group activities
3. you modify your plan where feedback indicates that the planned activity is inappropriate
4. you review the effectiveness of learning and development methods and identify alternative approaches where necessary
5. you use feedback to identify when the process is drawing to its conclusion.
You need to apply:
Legislation and organisational policy and procedures
K1. legal and organisational requirements and policies requirements relevant to the functions being carried out
K2. the limits and boundaries of your duties, responsibilities and power and why it is important to explain these to the individual
K3. the individual's rights and how these should inform and influence the formation of a relationship between you and the individual
K4. organisational and legal procedures and requirements regarding the recording, storage and passing on of information relating to individuals and work undertaken with them
K5. professional codes of practice
K6. agency codes of practice
K7. definition and boundaries of confidentiality
Theories and practice
Counselling
K8. the principles of active listening
K9. the cycle of change model
K10. all models explaining substance misuse
K11. the principles of motivation
K12. a range of recognised theoretical models
K13. awareness of cross-cultural approaches
K14. why it is important to encourage individuals to express their perspectives, values and feelings
K15. appropriate use of counselling supervision
Group skills
K16. the essentials of group dynamics
K17. how to put participants at ease
K18. the principles of good feedback in groups
Local knowledge
K19. the availability of substance misuse services in the local area
K20. the characteristics of substance misuse services in the local area
Research
K21. knowledge of research, how and where to access it
K22. how to analyse research
Substance misuse
K23. the range of different substances and their implications for the provision of services
K24. national substance misuse policies and priorities
K25. the range of substance misuse services offered by your organisation or other organisations
K26. the specific needs of individuals who are substance users, and how to meet these needs
K27. the range of behaviours that can be expected from substance users, and how to deal with these
K28. the risks substance misuse may pose to individuals and how to minimise these risks
K29. the risks substance misuse may pose to others, how to assess and minimise these risks
K30. the substance misuse jargon/terminology, commonly used
K31. the essentials of dual diagnosis
K32. the continuum of substance use from recreational to problematic
K33. the continuum of approaches to working with substance misuse from abstinence to harm reduction
Values
K34. the rights of individuals with whom you come into contact.
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