A
AF2.2012 Carry out assessment to identify and prioritise needs in a substance misuse setting
Overview
This standard is about referral of individuals with less complex needs directly to less structured substance misuse services (such as drop-in advice services). It is also about identifying when an individual has more complex needs which require referral to a comprehensive substance misuse assessment. It includes:
assessment of the individual's substance misuse problem and their understanding of services available
assessment of the need for referral to substance misuse services or to a comprehensive substance misuse assessment
making referral to a substance misuse service or comprehensive substance misuse assessment
Users of this standard will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies.
Version No 2
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- legal and organisational requirements and policies requirements relevant to the functions being carried out
- how to obtain information from individuals and other agencies in line with protocol
- show to pass information obtained during an assessment to another agency in line with local protocols
- how to involve an individual in the assessment of their needs
- how to assess an individual's understanding of services available and readiness to engage in a treatment programme
- how to assess the required degree of urgency when referring individuals to services
- how to deal with challenging, abusive, aggressive or chaotic behaviour
- how to assess individuals who are intoxicated
- who can provide support when there are any problems with the assessment
- how to achieve consistency in assessments with other workers in your organisation
- the importance of adhering to locally agreed criteria and documentation when carrying out assessments
- how to involve adults with parental responsibility in the assessment and referral of children and young people
- how to take account of a child or young persons age and maturity when involving them in assessment
- the importance of keeping full and accurate records, and how to do so
- the principle of confidentiality: what information may be given to whom
- how to present information in a manner, level and pace appropriate to the individual
- the importance of monitoring the situation regarding an individual's misuse of substances, and how to do so
- how to assess the risk to individuals and to others from their substance misuse and/or co-existent problems
- the importance of regularly reviewing risk assessments
- the range of different substances and their effects
- the range of different indications of substance misuse: physical, behavioural and information provided by the individual or from other sources
- ways of keeping your knowledge about substances and indications of substance misuse up to date
- how to understand the jargon used by substance misusers in your locality
Performance Criteria
You must be able to:
- conduct the assessment of the individual promptly to maintain the individual's motivation and seize the opportunity to engage them in treatment
- conduct the assessment in line with locally agreed criteria and using standardised documentation
- obtain information from the individual and if applicable, from the referring agency, in line with protocols
- take account of historical factors where disclosed by the individual as well as presenting factors
- assess the individual's understanding of services available and readiness to engage in a treatment programme
- deal with challenging, abusive, aggressive or chaotic behaviour
- assess any risk to the individual which may result from substance misuse and/or co-existent problems
- encourage the individual to ask questions, seek advice and express any concerns
- seek support from the appropriate person as soon as possible when there are any problems with the assessment
- record accurate, legible and complete details of the assessment, agreements reached with the individual and the resulting actions to be taken
- have access to up to date and accurate information on services within your locality
- present the possible interventions to the individual in a positive manner and review the advantages and disadvantages with them
- present the possible interventions to the individual in a manner, level and pace appropriate to them
- agree an appropriate course of action with the individual according to the intensity of intervention required
- give the individual appropriate support to check any information on the agreed intervention before it is finalised
- record accurate, legible and complete details of the assessment, agreements reached with the individual and the resulting actions to be taken
- ensure the outcomes of the assessment and the agreements reached achieve the best balance between the interests of the individual, any inherent risks and the legal duty of care
- justify the choice of intervention according to locally agreed criteria
- discuss assessments with other members of the substance misuse service team in order to ensure consistency of approach
- provide continuing support to individuals who do not want to be referred
- make referrals in line with local protocols and the eligibility criteria for accessing services
- refer the individual to the appropriate service with the required degree of urgency
- share information obtained during the assessment with services to which the individual is referred according to agreed protocols
- plan arrangements for the referral with the individual and facilitate their contact with the service
- agree with the individual the information to be passed to the service
- obtain feedback from the service to evaluate and refine referral practices following the referral
- record details of the assessment and referral for reporting and evaluation purposes
Additional Information
This standard links with the following dimension within the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (October 2004):
Dimension: HWB2 Assessment and care planning to meet people's health and wellbeing needs