3. Provide variety of tasks and issues in an Advocates workload. 2.3.3 Client Risk Assessment A risk assessment will be undertaken during the intake process for each person requesting advocacy support from DAIS. The purpose is to develop a profile of a client’s behavior and environment to assess the likelihood they or environment may pose a risk to staff, volunteers or the client themselves. The risk profile will take into consideration current and past behaviours. A client’s risk profile will be assessed by answering - yes no unknown - to the following – – behaviors. physical aggression / challenging behaviour / self-harm? verbal aggression? substance abuse? Other relevant factors. A client’s risk profile will be recorded on IVO. It can be reassessed and updated at any time as new information becomes available. Assessing the potential risk will be based on the advocate’s and supervisor’s judgment based on the facts available in the guide above. In all situations below, staff must follow risk minimisation procedures set out in Work Health Safety Policies. The degree of contact staff have with a client will be guided by the table below. Very low risk Low risk Medium risk Higher risk i.e. 4/4 i.e. 3/4 1 i.e. default status if all i.e. 1 “no” “no” “unknown” “yes” unknown or insufficient information (or a with “yes” low risk of reoccurrence). * Flexible contact OK * May interview client in office * Only interview client in office * assistance only. but keep supervisor with other colleagues close by with other colleagues close by updated on any and notify them of interview. and notify them of interview. * Only interview the client in changes in situation. (multi-staff office) a formally supervised * May interview the client in secure situation (in May do a home visit their home after first interview * Only interview client at a safe offices this may be with colleague if there at a safe external venue/ or venue with other workers/ with colleagues specifically are any doubts or home with a colleague (e.g. colleagues present (e.g. monitoring the interview). risk issues. neighbourhood centre, library neighbourhood centre (single etc.). staff locations) * Only interview at client’s home with another staff member present. The client risk assessment will not be used to deny a service to a client but to assess the most appropriate way to assist the client while protecting the health and safety of staff.
3. Provide variety of tasks and issues in an Advocates workload. 2.3.3 Client Risk Assessment A risk assessment will be undertaken during the intake process for each person requesting advocacy support from DAIS. The purpose is to develop a profile of a client’s behavior and environment to assess the likelihood they or environment may pose a risk to staff, volunteers or the client themselves. The risk profile will take into consideration current and past behaviours. A client’s risk profile will be assessed by answering - yes – no – unknown - to the following behaviors. physical aggression / challenging behaviour / self-harm? verbal aggression? substance abuse? Other relevant factors. A client’s risk profile will be recorded on IVO. It can be reassessed and updated at any time as new information becomes available. Assessing the potential risk will be based on the advocate’s and supervisor’s judgment based on the facts available in the guide above. In all situations below, staff must follow risk minimisation procedures set out in Work Health Safety Policies. The degree of contact staff have with a client will be guided by the table below. Very low risk i.e. 4/4 “no” Low risk i.e. 3/4 “no” 1 “unknown” Medium risk i.e. default status if all unknown or insufficient information (or a “yes” with low risk of reoccurrence). Higher risk i.e. 1 “yes” * Flexible contact OK but keep supervisor updated on any changes in situation. May do a home visit with colleague if there are any doubts or home risk issues. * May interview client in office with other colleagues close by and notify them of interview. * May interview the client in their home after first interview at a safe external venue/ or with a colleague (e.g. neighbourhood centre, library etc.). * Only interview client in office with other colleagues close by and notify them of interview. (multi-staff office) * Only interview client at a safe venue with other workers/ colleagues present (e.g. neighbourhood centre (single staff locations) * Only interview at client’s home with another staff member present. * assistance only. * Only interview the client in a formally supervised secure situation (in offices this may be with colleagues specifically monitoring the interview). The client risk assessment will not be used to deny a service to a client but to assess the most appropriate way to assist the client while protecting the health and safety of staff.
DAIS%20Advocacy%20Practice%20%20Manual%20%202016forWeb.docx