PROVIDE SOCIAL SERVICES Assess presenting needs of users of. Social Services

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1 1 of 7 level: 4 credit: 6 planned review date: June 2006 sub-field: purpose: entry information: accreditation option: moderation option: Social Services People credited with this unit standard are able to: describe assessment of presenting needs with service users; establish an environment for assessment of presenting needs with a service user; gather information for assessment of presenting needs with a service user; and assess the information gathered on presenting needs with a service user. Open. Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and industry. A centrally established and directed national moderation system has been set up by Community Support Services ITO Limited (Careerforce) special notes: 1 People awarded credit in this unit standard are able to outline the meaning of the articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the relevance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to social service work, and are able to apply this competence to the context of assessment for this unit standard (for further clarification, please refer to Unit 19408, Outline the meaning and relevance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in social service work).

2 2 of 7 2 Glossary Agreement with the service user and/or people of significance to the service user reflects the desirability of the social service worker first attempting to achieve agreement with the service user and their family or whānau on accuracy of information and any processes to be undertaken. In some instances this may not be possible. In those situations, agreement is judged in terms of information and opinions held by other people of significance, who first include members of the service user's family/whānau; and secondly, health and social service workers, ministers of religion, other professionals, police officers, solicitors, and others who have current knowledge about the service user and their situation. Available resources may include but are not limited to resources available to the service user from: the social service worker; the social service provider; Iwi/Māori ; Pacific Island ; other ; community groups; the service user's family or whānau; church; the service user's own resources. Characteristics and needs may be physical, spiritual, cultural, and mental. Characteristics and needs may include but are not limited to: age and stage of development; coping strategies; family or whānau system and dynamics; culture; disability; experience and knowledge; family or whānau history; gender; health status; personal history; language; psycho-social situation and systems; sexual orientation; socioeconomic situation; religious adherence; and needs for physical comfort, safety, and privacy of service users. Other professionals may include, but are not limited to, care and protection resource people, legal advisers, health advisers, other specialist assessors or advisers, as relevant to the context of assessment.

3 3 of 7 Presenting needs include but are not limited to those which provide evidence of the service user's needs for advice; emotional, financial, or material support; health care; information; protection; referral; or shelter. Service user is used as a generic term to denote people from user groups in the. They may be referred to by various descriptive terms in the range of social service settings. Signs of crisis or distress may include but are not limited to: indicators of disturbed behaviour; physical or mental health disorders; poverty or homelessness; relationship crises or difficulties; suicidal behaviour; alcohol or drug issues; abuse, neglect, or violence. Social service worker is used as a term to refer to the person seeking award of credit in this unit standard. 3 All communications are treated confidentially. The scope and limits of confidentiality are defined through negotiation and informed consent, and criteria established by legislation, ethical practice, and service provider guidelines. In the context of this unit standard, sources of criteria established by legislation, ethical practice, and service provider guidelines include but are not limited to: Official Information Act 1982, Privacy Act 1993, service provider codes of conduct, codes of practice issued by the Privacy Commissioner, social service codes of ethics, and service provider guidelines, protocols, staff manuals, strategic plans, kawa, or tikanga.

4 4 of 7 Elements and Performance Criteria element 1 Describe assessment of presenting needs with social service users. 1.1 The purpose, limits, and rationale of assessment of presenting needs with service users is described. 1.2 The description outlines how assessment of presenting needs assists with intervention, safety, and outcomes for service users. 1.3 The description outlines social, ethical, and cultural factors in assessment of presenting needs. evidence is required of one of each of social, ethical, and cultural factors in assessment. element 2 Establish an environment for assessment of presenting needs with a service user. 2.1 The environment that is established for the assessment attends to the characteristics and needs of the service user. 2.2 Cultural concepts used to begin the assessment are appropriate to the service user and their family or whānau. cultural concepts Māori, one Tauiwi culture.

5 5 of Kawa or protocols for the assessment are established and sustained with the service user, and in accordance with the purpose of the assessment. 2.4 The service user is engaged in the assessment according to their characteristics and needs, and in accordance with the social service worker's role, function, and any legal responsibilities. element 3 Gather information for assessment of presenting needs with a service user. information may be oral, written, or a combination of oral and written. 3.1 Information gathering uses interpersonal skills and language that respond to verbal and non-verbal communications including body language. interpersonal skills include but are not limited to - attending, listening, following, clarifying, encouraging, questioning, summarising. 3.2 Information gathered is accurate according to agreement with the service user and/or people of significance to the service user. 3.3 Information gathering is according to cultural protocols and criteria established by legislation, ethical practice, and service provider guidelines.

6 6 of 7 element 4 Assess the information gathered on presenting needs with a service user. 4.1 The assessment acknowledges that the safety needs of the service user are the first and paramount consideration. 4.2 The assessment identifies the service user's presenting needs and any associated issues. associated issues may include but are not limited to - safety of the service user; other risks; service user characteristics, needs, strengths, and means; signs of crisis and distress. 4.3 The assessment is in accordance with the purpose for the assessment. 4.4 The assessment concludes with an action plan to address the service user's presenting needs and any associated issues in accordance with discussion with the service user and/or people of significance to the service user. 4.5 The assessment, action plan, and recording of the assessment are in accordance with cultural protocols and criteria established by legislation, ethical practice, and service provider guidelines. 4.6 Completion of the assessment is effected according to the established kawa and tikanga.

7 7 of 7 Comments to: Careerforce PO Box 2637 Wellington 6140 Please Note: Providers must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority before they can offer programmes of education and training assessed against unit standards. Accredited providers assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those unit standards. [Please refer to relevant Plan ref: 0222]