Assessment, Planning and Care for Substance Misuse Practitioners

Overview

Framework:
RQF
Level:
Level 3
Unit No:
Y/505/3077
Credits:
6
Guided learning hours:
42 hours

Assessment Guidance

Portfolio of Evidence.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1.

Understand the importance of establishing and sustaining relationships with substance users.

Assessment Criteria

  • 1.1
    Explain the importance of establishing and sustaining appropriate relationships with substance users.
  • 1.2
    Evaluate own use of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to establish and sustain relationships with substance users.
2.

Understand how and when to disengage from relationships with substance users.

Assessment Criteria

  • 2.1
    Explain, in the context of own work as a substance misuse worker, how and when to disengage from relationships with substance users.
3.

Know how to conduct a level two (triage) assessment.

Assessment Criteria

  • 3.1
    Demonstrate a triage assessment of a substance user that
    a) involves the service user appropriately
    b) assesses the risks to self and others
    c) assesses the level of urgency of the case
    d) assesses the nature of substance use problems
    e) assesses the motivation to engage
    f) assesses the service user's understanding of services available
    g) assesses whether comprehensive assessment is required.
  • 3.2
    Explain modifications in approach to assessment for different services users including young people and people with dual diagnosis.
  • 3.3
    Summarise, in own role as a substance misuse practitioner, accurate, legible and complete details of the assessment, agreements reached with the individual and the resulting actions to be taken.
  • 3.4
    Demonstrate accurate collection of data for use in monitoring systems.
4.

Know how to conduct a level three (comprehensive) assessment.

Assessment Criteria

  • 4.1
    Demonstrate, within own working environment, a comprehensive assessment of a substance user that
    a) involves the service user appropriately
    b) assesses the risk to self and others
    c) assesses client motivation
    d) diagnoses current substance use problems
    e) assesses current psychological, physical, social and legal problems the client is experiencing
    f) assesses the client's understanding of available treatment options.
  • 4.2
    Summarise, in own role as a substance misuse practitioner, accurate, legible and complete details of the assessment, agreements reached with the individual and the resulting actions to be taken.
  • 4.3
    Demonstrate accurate collection of data for use in monitoring systems.
5.

Know how to plan comprehensive and integrated programmes of care.

Assessment Criteria

  • 5.1
    Evaluate ways in which inter-organisation or multi-disciplinary working can contribute to more effective delivery of care, using examples from own organisation.
  • 5.2
    Summarise information from relevant sources about a service user’s needs, taking into account the user’s preferences, beliefs, opinions and interests.
  • 5.3
    Explain the use of recovery planning within substance misuse provision, giving examples of how recovery plans are constructed and used and how this impacts upon the service user.
  • 5.4
    Develop a realistic, achievable recovery plan that meets the identified needs of the service user.
  • 5.5
    Develop a strategy for monitoring and reviewing the delivery of services within own organisation that will enable appropriate responses to changes in circumstances across inter-organisation or multi-disciplinary teams.
6.

Know how to respond to immediate risks of substance use.

Assessment Criteria

  • 6.1
    Explain the aims of risk assessment and risk management within the field of substance misuse, giving particular consideration to own role.
  • 6.2
    Assess the immediate risk of danger from substance use in individual cases (including overdose, self-harm, harm to others).
  • 6.3
    Explain actions to be taken upon immediate risk of danger to individual or others, consistent with own organisation’s policies and within the limits of own competence.
  • 6.4
    Explain the range of appropriate options for supporting individuals after the immediate danger has passed.
7.

Understand how to offer harm reduction information advice and guidance.

Assessment Criteria

  • 7.1
    Explain appropriate harm reduction strategies that are consistent with individual’s right of choice
    a) for specific cases of substance use
    b) for activities affected by substance use.
  • 7.2
    Explain a range of methods which could be used to provide harm reduction advice and guidance to substance users.
8.

Know how to support individuals in changing substance use.

Assessment Criteria

  • 8.1
    Develop and implement, in own role of substance misuse worker and in partnership with the service user, realistic, achievable strategies for changing substance use.
  • 8.2
    Explain how to support individuals to identify and overcome barriers to changing their substance use and maintaining change.
  • 8.3
    Review and manage own feelings about the individual’s progress so as to minimise their impact on the support provided.
  • 8.4
    Discuss sustained recovery models with service users and assess their understanding of these models.
9.

Understand the importance of monitoring health and safety within all areas of activity.

Assessment Criteria

  • 9.1
    Explain health and safety requirements in all areas of own organisation’s activity.
  • 9.2
    Explain how health and safety measures are monitored in own organisation.