Case study (questions 1-6)

Tracey is a worker in a community health service who offers support and assistance to people with alcohol and drug issues. Today she is meeting with Sophie, a 15-year-old who has been living away from her parents and has developed a dependency on cannabis. Tracey is preparing to meet with Sophie and assess her for services and support. Sophie is reviewing the documentation she has been given from a private psychiatrist that her parents paid for last year.

1) What existing information should Tracey review to identify Sophie's needs?

2) What are the relevant health services or professionals that Tracey should consult with?

3) How should Tracey identify Sophie's reasons for seeking help?

4) How should Tracey identify Sophie's reasons for seeking help?

5) What policies or procedures relating to confidentiality should Tracey follow when preparing for assessment with Sophie?

6) How could Tracey inform Sophie of the purpose and process of assessment and confirm her understanding?

Case study (questions 7-12)

29-year-old Meredith has developed a rapport with AOD worker Penny who is working with Meredith in assessing her AOD issues. Meredith has a distrust of doctors and a fear of being subjected to a medical examination. During her assessment, Meredith indicates to Penny that she has not had a menstrual period for several months. Penny is not required to diagnose the reason for this symptom, but she recognises that this might be a significant indicator of other issues that need to be considered in the assessment process. Meredith explains she has a close family but has not seen any of her friends for over a year.

When Meredith admits that she has been experiencing nausea in the mornings, Penny records this information and reports it to the doctor. The doctor asks Penny to provide Meredith with a pregnancy test that she can perform herself.

7) Write two questions that Penny could ask Meredith to identify her drug use history.

8) Write two questions that Penny could ask Meredith to identify her drug use patterns.

9) Describe how Penny could consult with Meredith to clarify co-existing issues.

10) How could Meredith's AOD use impact her familial and social relationships?

11) How could Penny collaboratewith health professionals to conduct Meredith's assessment?

12) Describe two indicators of other issues and how they may affect Penny's workwith Meredith.

Case study (questions 13-17)

Henry works as an AOD worker with young people at risk of homelessness. His job requires him to assess the needs of young people up to 17 years of age with alcohol and other drug issues. All of the young people referred to him are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Henry is always careful in his record taking notes. He uses pen and if he makes a mistake, he is careful to sign and date the mistake. Henry follows his organisation's guidelines and is familiar with the requirements for using assessment forms, particularly the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) requirements. After every assessment process, Henry meets with the young person to give them feedback on his report.

Henry currently supports a young man with alcohol dependency that is making it hard for him to maintain secure housing as his parents now refuse to have him at home. He is untrained as he left school early and has been unable to keep employment for longer than a few weeks. He needs lots of support and Henry is making some referrals to assist him to find safer accommodation.

13) How should Henry record the young person's assessment results?

14) Describe two defined guidelinesthat Henry may need to adhere to.

15) What organisation criteria could make the young person eligible for, or excluded from, receiving housing assistance?

16) How can Henry ensure the assessment report isclear and comprehensive?

17) What is some advice for Henry for when he provides feedback to the young person based on the assessment report?

Case study (questions 18-22)

Louis is an AOD worker responsible for assessing and identifying the needs of people with AOD issues. Trudy has expressed an interest in reducing her heroin use. Louis has a list of some suitable programs and support options for Trudy. Louis explains to Trudy that assistance is available to help support her reduce her heroin use. Louis suggests and explains a withdrawal program that uses pharmacotherapies.

18) What are some issues Trudy might have that are outside the scope of Louis's job role?

19) What services or other support options might Louis recommend for Trudy?

20) How should Louis inform Trudy and confirm her understanding of the options?

21) Describe how Louis should gain Trudy's consent to make a referral.

22) Which health and/or community services professionals should Louis provide assessment information to?