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For the purpose of this assignment, my role is that of a support worker in a homeless service

Psychology

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For the purpose of this assignment, my role is that of a support worker in a homeless service. The service provides short-term accommodation (that is up to 2 weeks) and, in addition, provides direct case management services to people experiencing homelessness. my primary job is to support people to locate stable and long-term accommodation. I also provide some case management (building life skills around employment and education), and referrals to appropriate services.

I will play the role of the support worker. Background information relating to Amira is detailed below. I should familiarise myself with the roles that are required to play prior to undertaking the role-plays with the assessor.

 

Amira (17) is a refugee from a country that has experienced a long period of civil war, with various factions in the country fighting for control. Amira's parents were killed in front of her when the militia raided their village. Amira and her two younger siblings managed to escape and, with other survivors from their village, made their way to a refugee camp in a neighbouring country. Amira spent five years in the camp, during which time one of her siblings died from malnutrition and disease. Amira was also sexually abused in the camp. Amira came to Australia to live with a cousin three years ago. 

There are few members of her community in the town she is living in, and Amira has made only two friends that she talks to. She struggles with learning English. Her cousin has decided to move to another city with her family, and Amira doesn't want to move with them. Amira has come to your service to talk about her housing options. You notice she is very thin, and looks dishevelled. She also appears very listless, and uninterested in her future.

Welcomes the client to the session.

Builds rapport (asks general questions to assist the client to feel comfortable in the session).

Explains their role and the services offered.

Asks the client if they are comfortable in the space; comfortable with the worker (gender; cultural considerations).

Explains confidentiality and its limits, and notes consent.

Asks the client what has brought them to the session/what they would like to work on first (prioritising needs, etc.)

Demonstrates the following: Active listening Attending Reframing Paraphrasing Normalising Summarising Appropriate eye contact, body language

Uses a combination of open and closed questions.

Identifies the client's strengths and expresses empathy for their experiences.

Works with the client to identify strengths and supports.

Discusses the client's stated priorities and strategies to address those priorities (demonstration of person-centred approach).

Identifies an appropriate service to refer the client to.

Gains consent from the client to make a referral and includes a discussion of what information will be included in the referral letter.

Closes session

 

• Part A: how I make case notes for each Amira.
• Part B:

1. Describe how and where client information should be kept to comply with relevant legislation.
2. How I make a letter of referral.