CHC53315 Mental Health: Assessment of Co-existing Needs

This assignment simulates a workplace scenario for mental health professionals, specifically focusing on assessing clients with co-existing needs. As an employee of Fairview Support Services, the student is tasked with building relationships with three clients, gathering information through client intake forms and screening, and conducting assessments using motivational interviewing techniques. The assignment emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations, including client consent, privacy, and duty of care. The student must identify multiple and interrelated issues for each client, analyze their needs, and develop appropriate service delivery and referral options. The final step involves providing feedback to the client, promoting a strengths-based approach, and documenting progress and outcomes. The assignment includes the use of various assessment tools and requires consultation with specialists to ensure accurate determination of client needs and the development of effective treatment plans, along with the completion of relevant forms, including client plans and evaluation forms.

CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health
CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs
Module 11 Relating to trauma and co existing needs‐
Assessment 2 – Co existing Needs‐
CHCMHS007 Work effectively in trauma informed care
CHCCCS004 Assess co existing needs‐
CHCCOM006 Establish and manage client relationships
Version 1.0 2017
Template 4.1
Page 1 of 7
Instructions
To complete this assessment you are required to conduct a simulation that reflects workplace conditions. There
is more information on simulation in the Assessment Guide.
Fairview Support Services
For the purpose of the simulation you are an employee at Fairview Support Services (FSS), an agency that treats
clients with mental health, alcohol and other drug issues. You have access to:
 the Fairview Agency Policy (outlining relevant policy and procedures for working with clients at FSS,
including relevant policy and procedures for working with clients, using the assessment tools and
relevant policy and procedures for reporting)
 Client profiles
 Clinical Assessment Guide (use this for website addresses and PTSD test)
 Client Data Collection form
 Client Plan form
 Agency referral form
 Client Evaluation form
Part A setting the scene‐
During the simulation you will be building up a relationship with 3 clients presenting with different co existing‐
needs. Your objective is to assess their needs and develop a treatment plan by working with them, and using
appropriate diagnostic tests. As you work with your clients and gather information you will complete data
forms, make some judgements about appropriate diagnostic tests to use, and then follow this up with a
treatment plan, agency report and relevant referrals.
Preparation
Examine the 3 client profiles and consider the range of co existing needs affecting each client. Recruit three‐
adults to play the role of your clients in the simulations you will conduct. Before commencing the simulations
make sure your participant is fully briefed and able to respond to you as you work in your role.
Before starting your simulations ensure you are familiar with the FSS Agency policy and the professional
behaviours and attitudes you will demonstrate as you work with your clients. Tick the following boxes when
you fully understand the requirements of your role and can confidently perform these behaviours in your
simulations:
1. Examine the Fairview Agency Policy and ensure you understand: √
a how will you go about obtaining client consent before meeting with each client
b the steps you need to take to manage the privacy of the clients
c how the client rights brochure is used at FSS to promote human rights
d your duty of care to your clients.
e the sections of the policy that relate to assessing the clients, relevant to their co existing‐
needs
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CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health
CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs
Module 11 Relating to trauma and co existing needs‐
Assessment 2 – Co existing needs simulation‐
CHCMHS007 Work effectively in trauma informed care
CHCCCS004 Assess co existing needs‐
CHCCOM006 Establish and manage client relationships
Version 1.0 2017
Template 4.1
Page 2 of 7
2. Ensure the following requirements are met as you commence building your relationship with
your 3 clients:
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a a professional relationship
b appropriate professional boundaries
c a person centred approach
3. Ensure you practice the following understandings and behaviours as you conduct the
simulations:
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a only address areas where you are responsible; being aware of the limitations of your role at
all times
b maintain boundaries of a sexual, physical and emotional nature
c ask only appropriate and necessary questions
d be alert to the potential of client transference
e stick to your role at all times
f ensure you seek assistance from colleagues and other experts as required while working
with your clients
4. Ensure you use effective communication techniques to build up mutual trust and respect
while working with your clients, including:
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a actively listening
b questioning and clarifying information
c providing advice
d showing empathy
e practicing behaviours that engender trust
f practicing respectful behaviours at all times
g acting with discretion
h using appropriate verbal and non verbal communication‐
i using communication aids as required
j how you use your tone of voice and present yourself to the client
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CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health
CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs
Module 11 Relating to trauma and co existing needs‐
Assessment 2 – Co existing needs simulation‐
CHCMHS007 Work effectively in trauma informed care
CHCCCS004 Assess co existing needs‐
CHCCOM006 Establish and manage client relationships
Version 1.0 2017
Template 4.1
Page 3 of 7
Part B – Commence working with client
During Parts B, and C you will be working directly with your clients conducting their assessment and
evaluating their needs (with their input). At the end of the assessment process your clients will be required to
report back through the evaluation form on your performance. You will be required to submit the 3 client
evaluation forms.
5. For each of your clients, (Client 1, Client 2 and Client 3) carry out the following
activities:
C1
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C2
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C3
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a Explain to the client all legal requirements, including: privacy, client rights and your
duty of care
i ‐ obtain written consent to engage with the service
ii ‐ provide the client with the Client Rights Charter and explain they may choose
to delay a response or to not answer a question
iii ‐ provide information about the range of services the client can access
b complete the Client Intake Form and conduct a preliminary screening. The
screening should include:
i ‐ trauma related symptoms‐
ii ‐ depressive or dissociative symptoms, sleep disturbances, and intrusive
experiences.
iii ‐ past and present mental disorders, including typically trauma related disorders‐
(e.g., mood disorders).
iv ‐ severity or characteristics of a specific trauma type (e.g., forms of interpersonal
violence, adverse childhood events, combat experiences)
v ‐ substance abuse.
vi ‐ social support and coping styles
vii ‐ availability of resources
viii ‐ risks for self harm, suicide, and violence‐
ix ‐ health screenings
c check with the client and collect specific information, including individualised plans
and any relevant equipment outlined in the plan
d agree to meet your client on another occasion while you identify the assessment
tools required for their special needs
e consult with your client to organise the practical aspects of the assessment
(suitable time and place)
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CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health
CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs
Module 11 Relating to trauma and co existing needs‐
Assessment 2 – Co existing needs simulation‐
CHCMHS007 Work effectively in trauma informed care
CHCCCS004 Assess co existing needs‐
CHCCOM006 Establish and manage client relationships
Version 1.0 2017
Template 4.1
Page 4 of 7
6. Work with your clients using motivational interviewing. Apply the following principles and tick
the box when you are satisfied you are fully across the application of motivational interviewing
skills during the simulations:
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a use attending skills effectively
b use body language effectively
c paraphrasing
d reflect the feelings shown by your client
e use open questioning
f use closed questioning and probing
g summarise what your client is saying
h reframe your client’s words
i explore options with your client
j normalize statements made by your client
7. Apply the following strategies to communication with your clients as you complete the
assessment process:
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a ask for information in a respectful manner
b ask for information sensitively
c identify any special needs of the client and respond
d encourage the client to ask questions and raise concerns
e provide answers to the client when they ask questions or voice concerns
f provide support to the client by addressing all issues raised
g collaborate with your supervisor and handle any difficult or challenging behaviours you
experience using recommended techniques
h ensure you maintain your professional integrity and boundaries at all times, even when
under pressure
i provide your client with the required information using the most suitable mode of
communication
j ensure your language, including use of terminology is understood by the client
k ensure there is sufficient detail in the information to provide to your client
l ensure the information you provide to your client is clear and unlikely to be misunderstood
m include the client in identifying and prioritising their own needs
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CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health
CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs
Module 11 Relating to trauma and co existing needs‐
Assessment 2 – Co existing needs simulation‐
CHCMHS007 Work effectively in trauma informed care
CHCCCS004 Assess co existing needs‐
CHCCOM006 Establish and manage client relationships
Version 1.0 2017
Template 4.1
Page 5 of 7
Part C – Assess the client
Consider the colleagues and specialists you will consult at FSS and outside the agency, to accurately
determine the service needs of your clients.
You will now be required to meet with your clients again. Using the information gathered, apply your
analysis and determine the appropriate service delivery and referral options for your 3 clients. Provide and
discuss your findings with your client and support their decision making.
8. For each of your clients, (Client 1, Client 2 and Client 3) complete the following: C1
√
C2
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C3
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a check with at least one other person with specialist knowledge for additional
information to assist you in accurately determining the range of issues affecting
your client (a list of positions is in the FFS Agency Policy)
b check all other required sources, relevant to your client for additional information
to assist you in accurately determining the range of issues
c identify the assessment tools required and any associated procedures to assess
your client’s needs
d consult with your client to obtain consent and provide an outline of the assessment
9. Use all relevant information and in collaboration with others, identify the multiple
and interrelated issues for each client:
C1
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C2
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C3
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a analyse the client’s multiple and interrelated issues carefully
b identify issues of urgency
c identify and evaluate eligibility for service delivery
d identify and evaluate the potential risk factors in service delivery
e using the Client Plan form, record the information you have collected (you will add
to this later)
10. Incorporate the following items into the process: C1
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C2
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C3
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a monitor the progress of your client by checking to see how they are going and
adjust the processes you are applying accordingly
b provide and discuss your findings with your client and support their decision
making
c promote and apply a strengths based approach to service delivery‐
d identify and respond to the need for client referral to other services (promote and
apply a strengths based approach to referral options)‐
e include the capability of the service provider and identify how this will be used
f consider other service networks and identify how these will be used
g encourage your client to advocate for their own access to available services
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CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health
CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs
Module 11 Relating to trauma and co existing needs‐
Assessment 2 – Co existing needs simulation‐
CHCMHS007 Work effectively in trauma informed care
CHCCCS004 Assess co existing needs‐
CHCCOM006 Establish and manage client relationships
Version 1.0 2017
Template 4.1
Page 6 of 7
Part D – Report
11. Using the appropriate agency documentation (Client Plan form) and procedures, record the outcome of
your assessment for each client.
12. Outline below the confidentiality requirements you will apply to the maintenance and storage of the
assessment (according to agency procedures)
13. According to consent and confidentiality requirements, provide information about your client to the
services you have identified (use the agency referral form).
h Provide the client with all related information, including: general health
information and self care information‐
i confirm with your client they have understood everything, including: costs,
payment options, client options, service information and referral details
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CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health
CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs
Module 11 Relating to trauma and co existing needs‐
Assessment 2 – Co existing needs simulation‐
CHCMHS007 Work effectively in trauma informed care
CHCCCS004 Assess co existing needs‐
CHCCOM006 Establish and manage client relationships
Version 1.0 2017
Template 4.1
Page 7 of 7