GEN75 Collaborate in the assessment of the need for, and the provision of, environmental and social support in the community

Overview

This standard is concerned with your role in collaborating in the provision of equipment and support to individuals and carers in the community. The term ‘community’ is used to signify any environment which is applicable to the individual (i.e. it includes the individual’s own home and its surrounds, a community home where the individual is living, a day centre or the individual’s place of work). The provision may be as a result of a referral from another member of the care team, because of the individual moving into the community after being in hospital/residential accommodation, or through the individual or carer making direct contact with the service. The term ‘carer’ is used for someone who is caring for the individual in any way but is not a member of the formal care team and so does not have formal/fixed links into the service. It is recognised that some individuals will not be able to make decisions and participate in the assessment process themselves and may have an advocate to support or to speak and act for them. This will often depend on the individual groups(s) that you are working with.  An individual’s advocate may be their carer, may be another worker or other person. Users of this standard will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies. Version No 1

Knowledge and Understanding

You will need to know and understand:

1. the current European and National legislation, national guidelines, organisational policies and protocols in accordance with Clinical/Corporate Governance which affect your work practice in relation to collaborating in the assessment of the need for, and the provision of, environmental and social support in the community
2. your responsibilities and accountability in relation to the current European and National legislation, national guidelines and local policies and protocols and Clinical/Corporate Governance
3. the duty to report any acts or omissions in care that could be detrimental to yourself, other individuals or your employer
4. why problems should be discussed and passed on to the care team when they cannot be solved
5. the importance of obtaining the appropriate forms of consent and how these may differ between settings
6. the limits of the action which the worker is able to take themselves
7. the role of people speaking on the individual’s behalf in relation to the individual and their rights
8. why communication with individuals and carers should promote their role as partners in care
9. the importance of offering information on the type of support to be given
10. the importance of involving individuals and carers in the identification and prioritising of equipment and support
11. the importance of involving those who will be involved in the daily care of the individuals (their carers) in the assessment process and to consider their needs and abilities
12. the problems caused by dysfunction
13. the potential future pattern of disorder which may affect the individual’s lifestyle
14. patterns of normal physical, psychological and social development
15. the range and use of adaptive equipment and environmental modifications
16. the options available to the service at that point in time for the particular individual concerned
17. the importance of ensuring the types of equipment used will depend on the type of housing
18. the importance of gaining knowledge of the relevant background of individuals in order to adopt the appropriate methods and approach
19. the importance of presenting outcomes of assessment in the required format and the effects which may ensue if this is not carried out

Performance Criteria

You must be able to do the following:

1. design approaches to, and communication with, individuals and their carers to promote their role as partners in care and encourage personal choice
2. encourage individuals to express their needs, preferences and beliefs and use these as a basis for all interactions with them
3. give individuals and their carers the appropriate assistance to establish individuals’ overall needs and place these in order of priority
4. involve carers appropriately at all stages of the assessment process and accurately record their views and concerns for use in the assessment
5. use relevant background information as a basis for the choice of support and equipment suggested
6. undertake assessments correctly and accurately
7. record and present the outcomes of the assessment in the required format
8. pass on accurate information on the possible need for modifications to the individual’s environment to the relevant members of the care team without delay
9. obtain the valid consent prior to any changes being made to the environment
10. confirm the options available to the individual with the care team prior to any offer being made to the individual
11. provide information on the available support and equipment in a manner, and at a level and pace, appropriate to individuals and carers
12. discuss any difficulties with the support or equipment with individuals and carers and suggest possible solutions
13. discuss continuing problems and possible ways of solving them with the appropriate members of the care team without delay

Additional Information

This National Occupational Standard was developed by Skills for Health. This standard links with the following dimension within the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (October 2004): Dimension: HWB2 Assessment and care planning This standard has replaced AHP25.