Independence and Well-being

Question 1

Reportable suspicion:

Answer 1

a reasonable suspicion that a child has, is, or will suffer from abuse/neglect and does not have an able and willing parent to protect them

Question 2

What respect can mean (practically):

Answer 2

Being aware of differences;
Valuing and honouring differences;
Avoiding judgments of other cultural values, beliefs, practices;
Accepting differences.

Question 3

A client’s individual differences may be interrelated and impact on the support that is provided.
An example:

Answer 3

Ravi felt very uncomfortable about having to ask for support for his mother. Traditionally her family would have provided all the care and assistance she needed. However, as a single father with young children he recognised that without ‘outside’ help his mother could not retain her independence. He contacted the local service, explained the situation and arranged for a meeting between Karen, a community service worker, his mother and himself.

His mother, Jahnavi, was reluctant to have strangers assisting her with home and personal care. Initially she refused to be part of the conversations about the support she required. While able to speak fluent English, she spoke only Hindi when Karen was undertaking an assessment. Ravi translated.

Karen recognised that the support offered to Jahnavi would need to respect that she valued her independence and had culturally based expectations about who should provide support. She also realised that any service provision may need to be provided in Hindi.

Question 4

Health and well-being:

Answer 4

can be referring to any or, all, of the following:
    Physical
    Psychological
    Social
    Spiritual
    Cultural
    Financial
    Career/Occupation

Question 5

5 Basic human needs:

Answer 5

Physical
    Psychological
    Spiritual
    Cultural
    Sexual

Question 6

5 Basic requirements for good health:

Answer 6

Mental health
    Nutrition and hydration
    Exercise
    Hygiene
    Lifestyle

Question 7

Maslow and the concept of self-actualisation:

Answer 7

Physiological needs:
breathing, food, water, shelter, clothing, sleep.

Safety and security:
health, employment, property, family and social stability.

Love and belonging:
friendship, family, intimacy, sense of connection.

Self-esteem:
confidence, achievement, respect of others, the need to be a unique individual.

Self-actualisation:
morality, creativity, spontaneity, acceptance, experience purpose, meaning and inner potential.

Abraham Maslow’s theory “the Hierarchy of Needs” discusses how humans have a definite set of needs.

Lower order needs must be met or satisfied before it is possible to move to higher order needs. The highest order need is self-actualisation.

The order of needs is not rigid but instead may be flexible based on external circumstances or individual differences.
Most behavior is multi-motivated, that is, simultaneously determined by more than one basic need.

Question 8

Self-actualised people are characterised by:

Answer 8

1) being problem-focused;
2) incorporating an ongoing freshness of appreciation of life;
3) a concern about personal growth; and
4) the ability to have peak experiences

Question 9

Behaviours leading to self-actualisation:

Answer 9

(a) Experiencing life like a child, with full absorption and concentration;
(b) Trying new things instead of sticking to safe paths;
(c) Listening to your own feelings in evaluating experiences instead of the voice of tradition, authority or the majority;
(d) Avoiding pretense (‘game playing’) and being honest;
(e) Being prepared to be unpopular if your views do not coincide with those of the majority;
(f) Taking responsibility and working hard;
(g) Trying to identify your defenses and having the courage to give them up.

The characteristics of self-actualisers and the behaviours leading to self-actualisation are shown in the list above. Although people achieve self-actualisation in their own unique way, they tend to share certain characteristics. However, self-actualisation is a matter of degree, ‘There are no perfect human beings’ (Maslow,1970a, p. 176).

Maslow did not equate self-actualisation with perfection. Self-actualisation merely involves achieving one’s potential. Thus, someone can be silly, wasteful, vain and impolite, and still self-actualise. Less than two percent of the population achieve self-actualisation.

Question 10

Some (9) characteristics of people who have self-actualised:

Answer 10

Tolerate uncertainty;
Accept themselves and others for what they are;
Spontaneous in thought and action;
Problem-centered (not self-centered);
Unusual sense of humour;
Capable of deep appreciation of basic life-experience;
Establish deep satisfying interpersonal relationships with a few people;
Need privacy;
Strong moral/ethical standards

Question 11

Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development (8):

Answer 11

Trust vs Mistrust:
Birth to 1 year −Infants gain trust from a warm, responsive environment, in contrast to mistrust if they are mistreated or ignored

Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt:
1-3 years − Autonomy is nurtured when children can use their skills to make their own decisions

Initiative vs Guilt:
3-6 years − Children experiment with who they can become through imaginative play.

Industry vs Inferiority:
6-11 years − As they become more involved in school, children develop the ability to work with others.

Identity vs Role diffusion:
Adolescence − Developing an identity is a key issue during this stage of development, but can result in a negative outcome if there is confusion about future adult roles. Establishing intimate ties with others is a major task at this stage

Intimacy vs Isolation:
Early adulthood -

Generativity vs Stagnation:
Middle adulthood − Giving to the next generation is the essence of this stage, and individuals who fail to do this feel stagnated without this meaningful sense of accomplishment.

Ego-integrity vs despair:
Old age − During this time of self-reflection, people who have lived satisfying lives develop a feeling of integrity, while those who perceive they have not lived a satisfying life experience dissatisfaction and fear death.

Question 12

Different ways to express personal identity:

Answer 12

Personality:
The attributes (behavioral, temperamental, emotional and mental) that characterise a unique individual e.g. your reactions to events

Gender identity:
Your identity as male or female.

Identification:
How you, consciously or unconsciously, identify with the characteristics of another person or group.

Personhood:
Being a person, awareness of self.

Question 13

The key elements of best practice can be summarised as:

Answer 13

1) Being RESPONSIVE to the unique needs of each person you work with. Always think about how to provide just the right amount of support.
2) Seeing every person as an INDIVIDUAL
3) Supporting and respecting the CHOICES of the people you work with. Always think about how the preferences of the people you work with might differ from your own.
4) Actively LISTENING – really paying attention to what a person is communicating to you through their words or actions. Give people the best help possible to get their message across to you and others.
5) Being FLEXIBLE, while recognising the value of routine - not allowing routines to dominate the lives of the people you work with.
6) Using POSITIVE language – always framing communication in a positive rather than negative way. Adjusting your communication to enable the people you support to succeed in everything they do.
7) ACKNOWLEDGING and responding to difference positively
8) Paying attention to the HERE and NOW – seeing that in every moment the quality of your work affects the lives of people you work with.
9) Being sensitive to the ENVIRONMENT – being aware of and responsive to the effect of the immediate and wider social and physical context on people’s lives.

Question 14

You can best support clients in activities when you understand and respond appropriately to their:

Answer 14

Needs
Stage of life
Development
Strengths.

Question 15

Client routines:

Answer 15

For many people, having a routine provides a sense of security and assists them to remain healthy and maintain their wellbeing.
Discuss client’s routines and the impact a service or program may have on their routine.
If clients express concerns about these impacts investigate ways to enable a continuation of the routine.

Some people may have routines that are based on medications e.g. some medications cause drowsiness. Clients with children may have routines around delivering and collecting children from child care or schools.

Question 16

Identifying strengths:

Answer 16

Everyone has strengths and the capacity to continue to learn, develop and change;
Support should focus on the strengths and aspirations of clients;
Communities and social environments have many resources;
Collaboration between work colleagues, client and other services is a key to strengths-based practice;
Clients have a right to self-determination;
Service providers must be committed to the empowerment of clients.

Question 17

24 Personal Strengths:

Answer 17

Personal Strengths of Wisdom and Knowledge:
1. Creativity
Do people come to you for novel solutions to tricky problems? Do you enjoy seeking alternative ways of doing things? Is your mind constantly challenging the status quo and looking for a better way?
2. Curiosity
Do you ask lots of questions and stop only when the other person is obviously tired of answering? Have you had your fair share of accidents and injuries because you just had to try something out?
3. Open-Mindedness
Are you able to hold two contradictory thoughts at the same time while others are taking sides? When presented with a radical idea, do you consider it a possibility instead of judging it right away?
4. Love of Learning
Is there always a book in your bag so you can pull it out to read when you have a few spare minutes? Do you get an adrenaline rush from learning new skills or attending classes or seminars?
5. Perspective
Can you see things from different points of view without making a conscious effort to? Do people tend to respond to your thoughtful comments with “I never saw things that way…”?

Personal Strengths of Courage:
6. Bravery
Do you readily go where angels fear to tread? When everyone is holding back, are you the one who stands up to volunteer with words like “what the heck” or “you never know until you try”?
7. Persistence
When others are ready to quit, are you the one who encourages them to try just one more time? Have you doggedly worked at a problem until you find the solution instead of giving up or passing the problem on to someone else?
8. Integrity
Have you ever told the truth knowing that it would cost you money, friends, and perhaps your reputation? Do you do the ‘right’ thing all the time, even when no one is watching?
9. Vitality
Do you inject energy into the projects you’re involved in? Do things seem to somehow pick up speed when you around? Do people give more of themselves when you are working alongside them?

Personal Strengths of Humanity:
10. Love
When you look at people, do you see what they look like or do you see who they really are? Do you feel a deep appreciation for everyone you meet because each is unique and special?
11. Kindness
Are in incapable of walking past a street busker without dropping a few notes or coins into his box? Have you done good deeds for strangers on a regular basis because you saw the difficult situations they were in?
12. Social intelligence
Can you sense the mood of people in the room the moment you walk into it? Are you able to tell who gets along and who does not after a quick observation? Do people readily ‘click’ with you even when they don’t get along with each other?

Personal Strengths of Justice:
13. Citizenship
Are you proud to be a member of an organisation or nation?Are you an ambassador for your company or country? is loyalty to this group very important to you?
14. Fairness
Were you the child who kept saying “that’s not fair”? Have you given up your share of something because you felt it was not right that other people didn’t have the same privilege? Do you see everyone as having equal rights?
15. Leadership
Do people look to you for guidance in chaos or in general? Does a group seem to ‘gel’ only when you’re there to hold it together? Do those in your group excel under your tutelage when they weren’t making it elsewhere?

Personal Strengths of Temperance:
16. Forgiveness
Are you able to let go when people have repeatedly hurt you? Do you understand that harbouring a grudge hurts you more than it hurts them? Do you accept the frailty of human nature and allow people space to make mistakes?
17. Humility
Do you constantly learn from other people, even those who are younger or less educated or experienced than you? Can you accept praise graciously while not taking personal credit and walking on air immediately after?
18. Prudence
When given two options, do you usually choose the less risky, less expensive, less high-profile one? Do you tend to view others’ excesses as flamboyant or extravagant, and often advise people to ‘tone down’?
19. Self-Control
Are you able to deny yourself what you want because of a higher purpose or objective? When tempted to spend or eat beyond your plan, can you smile and say no most of the time without feeling deprived?

Personal Strengths of Transcendence:
20. Appreciation of Beauty
Do you pause often to take in a view, gaze skywards, or observe animals in motion? Does a sense of awe sweep over you often when you contemplate the vastness of nature and the intimate details of life?
21. Gratitude
Are the words “thank you” on your lips and in your heart practically everyday? Is your reaction to people, events and things one of appreciation and gladness that this wonderful thing came your way?
22. Hope
Can you always see the silver lining when others see only a dark cloud? Is your mantra ‘tomorrow will be better than today’ or ‘don’t worry, everything will be ok’ or ‘things will work out, you’ll see’?
23. Humour
Can you see the lighter side of almost every situation? Do you see the folly of human self-importance? Do people relax around you because you help them to take themselves and life less seriously?
24. Spirituality
Do you feel connected to a source that is higher and deeper than yourself? Are you detached from things of this world? Do you feel that the ‘real’ world is inside you rather than outside?

Question 18

Gender vs orientation:

Answer 18

Gender is someone’s understanding and identification with being male, female or neither. Sexual orientation is who someone is attracted to.

Question 19

A person’s sexuality is shaped by:

Answer 19

Values and beliefs
    Attitudes
    Physical characteristics
    Experiences
    Sexual characteristics
    Community expectations.

Question 20

Different aspects of sexuality:

Answer 20

Sensuality:
the enjoyment, expression or pursuit of sexual pleasure.
Intimacy:
intimate relationships involving physical and/or emotional involvement.
Gender/sexual identity:
a person’s understanding of being a male, female or neither.
Sexual health:
relates to a person’s physical, mental and social wellbeing in relation to sexuality

Question 21

Identifying activities that suit clients’ needs:

Answer 21

can be difficult unless a structured approach is taken. Gathering information about a client’s physical, social, cultural and spiritual needs enables you to identify activities that will meet their needs.

Once you have this information you can develop, collaborate with others to develop, or access other activities for client’s participation.

Question 22

Issues and questions you need to consider when promoting participation:

Answer 22

What issues are important for this community, group or individual? How do you know these are important?
How can you give ownership to communities, groups or individuals so that they feel in control of their own endeavours?
What is needed to engage community members in a meaningful way?
How will you involve community members, in a representative manner, in deciding what to implement?
What will your role be? Are you skilled in enabling, facilitating and mediating? IF not, who can assist?
Do you have the capacity to address the client’s issue? Does the group or individual have the capacity?
What factors help or hinder client’s becoming involved in action (for example, timing, physical access, English fluency, information, formats, family and work commitments, level of experience in community participation)? How these to be addressed?
Do you need further skill development in supporting/facilitating community participation?

Question 23

Some of the issues impacting on service delivery include:

Answer 23

Community valuse and attitudes
Service resources
Networks
Delivery model(s)

Question 24

Community service delivery models:

Answer 24

Establish the principles and values that underpin service delivery:
Establish the strategic direction for a service;
Guide how programs are resourced;
Provide the basis for your work and how it is performed e.g. methods for client support, collaboration with other services.

Question 25

Focussing on clients:

Answer 25

Considers each client holistically.

Works in partnership with clients as well as other significant people in their life.

Supports clients to identify their concerns and priorities, to recognise their strengths, and to make informed decisions.

Is flexible and responsive to the client’s concerns and priorities.

Is responsive to changes in life stages, family changes, and transitions in education and employment.

Question 26

Respecting and valuing clients:

Answer 26

Supporting clients to achieve their maximum potential.

Valuing diversity and respecting the cultures of all clients.

Providing services on a needs basis.

Providing additional support to vulnerable people.

Applying ethical values, which support the principles of empowerment, self-determination, autonomy and dignity.

Using positive language when discussing client needs and developing goals.

Listening attentively.

Providing feedback.

Acknowledging each client’s self-worth and building their self-esteem.

Question 27

Working in partnership:

Answer 27

Working collaboratively with other services to enhance outcomes for clients.

Demonstrating mutual respect for the capacity and capabilities of other services.

Taking responsibility for ensuring positive relationships.

Demonstrating trust, openness and transparency of communication.

Question 28

Continually improving:

Answer 28

Providing services which are based on evidence and reflect current best practice.

Committing to continuous improvement through evaluating current practice/services and listening to client feedback.

Maintaining professional knowledge.

Question 29

Providing efficient and effective service delivery:

Answer 29

Acknowledging that there are resource constraints which limit the level of service that can be provided.

Striving to meet the demand for services within the budget limitations by maximising service effectiveness.

Continuously seeking to make administrative and business processes more efficient.

Meeting all of its accountability and compliance obligations.

Question 30

Myths and stereotypes:

Answer 30

If community service workers are not aware of the myths and stereotypes being applied to clients there is a danger that the myths or stereotypes will be promoted, encouraged or negatively affect service delivery.

Question 31

Identifying and building strengths and self-care capacity:

Answer 31

Everyone has strengths; however, few people can readily identify their strengths. Supporting clients to identify their strengths and focussing on applying these to meet their personal goals encourages them to build and maintain independence. It also helps them to identify where they will need support.

Question 32

Some questions you could use when working with clients to identify their strengths:

Answer 32

What do you like doing? What do you find easy and enjoyable?
What things do you put off doing?
What tasks always seem difficult to complete?
What tasks worry you?

The primary focus is on identifying strengths, not weaknesses. Clients should be supported to recognise the resources they have available and to independently access these when working toward their goals.

Question 33

Wisdom and knowledge:

Humanity:

Courage:

Transcendence:

Temperance:

Justice:

Answer 33

ability to acquire and use knowledge (creativity, curiosity, love of learning).
the ability to tend to and befriend others (kindness, social intelligence).
the ability to accomplish goals in the face of opposition (persistence, vitality, integrity, bravery).
the ability to connect to a larger universe and provide meaning (gratitude, hope, playfulness) Using your strength to strengthen others.
the ability to protect against excess (forgiveness, humility, self-control).
the ability to experience a healthy community life (fairness, teamwork, social responsibility).

Question 34

You can encourage clients to develop their independence by:

Answer 34

Providing clear and accurate information;
Ensuring clients are not overloaded with information;
Developing pathways and plans with clients that steadily build on smaller steps to reach larger goals.

Question 35

Ways your service can enhance client’s capacity to independently access services and resources:

Answer 35

Display a board showing clients where they can look and go for advice and support.
Promote positive attitudes towards seeking help as part of the service.
Provide opportunities for clients to connect with one another, for example assisting them by drawing on resources within the service and the community and acting as information hubs .
Include information about other relevant services and details of professional services on the website and in newsletters or emails.
Conduct information sessions that are accessible in the community.