Training Frontline Workers - Young People Alcohol …...Mod 11 - Young People and Drugs Issues for Workers 3 Learning outcomes When you have completed this module you will be able

Mod 11 - Young People and Drugs Issues for Workers 1

Module 11

Young People and DrugsIssues for Workers


Young People and DrugsIssues for Workers

Topic 1

Introduction


Learning outcomes

When you have completed this moduleyou will be able to:

– Develop and maintain professionalboundaries when working with youngpeople on AOD issues

– Maintain confidentiality whenworking with young people on AODissues

– Work in an ethical manner with youngpeople on AOD issues


Learning outcomes Cont...

– Ensure duty of care when workingwith young people on AOD issues

– Develop comprehensive case notes

– Outline appropriate supervisionprocesses for work with clients

– Specify self-care strategies used tosupport work with clients


Young People and Drugs- Issues for Workers

Topic 2

Professional conduct



Professional conduct involves workersbehaving in ways which:

comply with the law

comply with the rules

are in accordance with the Code ofEthics of their professional body

are in the best interest of the client oryoung person

if possible, involve the participation ofthe young person.


Developing and maintainingprofessional boundaries

Trust

Relationships which empower youngpeople

Limits


Conflicts of interest

Interpersonal conflicts occur betweenindividual workers. For example, whentwo workers are trying to make adecision about the best course ofaction for their client, or when workersdisagree about the purpose anddirection of their work.

Interpersonal conflicts occur whenyour personal values conflict with theguidelines of the agency, or when someof your personal values conflict withothers.



Summary

Problems can arise when the rights ofan individual conflict with the rightsof people in the wider community.For example, when you know that oneyoung person is putting the health orsafety of other young people at risk.

Workers often develop closerelationships with young people. It isimportant that you have a clear ideaof ‘professional behaviour’ and do notabuse your position of power.


Professional conduct Cont...

Summary

� Workers need to establish and maintainappropriate boundaries in theirrelationships with young people. Youshould not disclose unnecessary personalinformation and minimise physical contactas this can be misinterpreted by youngpeople. Contact of a sexual nature isnever appropriate.

� Conflicts of interest can occur whenworking with young people. The interestsof young people sometimes need to beweighed against the interests of parentsand the wider community.



Topic 3

Worker values


The significance ofvalues and attitudes

� Values are beliefs or assumptions about what isgood and desirable for people.

� Each worker has a unique perspective on theworld and has their own set of values. You bringto the workplace a whole range of lifeexperiences that define who you are.

� It is neither possible nor desirable to separateyourself into a ‘work’ self and another ‘social’ or‘family’ self. It is not psychologically healthy toalter your whole personality or to split yourpsyche into separate selves.

� Your identity is not fixed, but is constantlyevolving as a result of your interactions withfriends, family co-workers and clients.


Workers’ values

Being aware of your values and attitudesis important because it helps you to:

identify why you are doing what youare doing

identify what the consequences of youractions will be for yourself or for theyoung person or a colleague

consider other or better options

be more aware of the reasons for yourresponses to situations.


Workers’ values Cont...

Summary

We all have personal values andattitudes that can impact significantlyon the way we work with young people

Conflicts of interest are a normal partof human interactions and the key isto handle them in a professional,respectful way

Reflecting upon your values andattitudes can assist you in developingstrategies to manage your work withyoung people


Workers’ values Cont ...

Summary

The nature of work with young AODusers can evoke emotional and personalresponses.

Developing strategies for managingthose responses is critical both foryourself as a worker and for thequality and effectiveness of your workwith young people.



Topic 4

Professional ethics


Professional ethics

Ethical principles in youth and community work

� Respect for basic human rights

� Respect for the individual and right to self-determination

� Respect for different cultures and religions

� A commitment to empowerment andparticipatory democracy

� A commitment to collaborative workingrelationships and collective action.

� An acknowledgment that all relationships andwith activities with young people are based ontheir consent.


Professional Ethics Cont...

The Code of Ethics for alcohol and other drugworkers states that:

� Equity and access is important in serviceprovision

� Services should be responsive to theindividual's needs

� Services should be effective

� Services should be cost-efficient.


Professional ethics Cont...

Summary

A Code of Conduct deals with generalstandards of conduct. It acts as a setof guidelines or ground rules.

To be effective, a Code of Conductwould need to address the needs andrights of young people, the needs andrights of workers and the needs andrights of the employer.



Topic 5

Confidentiality


Confidentiality

Most case notes contain the same generalinformation, which includes:

� personal details of the client (on a referralsheet/cover sheet)

� family history

� type of contact (e.g. did you phone the client,see the client at home, at a centre or in aformal counselling situation?)

� details of major issues

� action plans (detailing who is responsible forwhich action)

� arrangements for the next meeting.


Confidentiality Cont...

Summary

� Confidentiality requires that you ensure aclient’s family and health history are kept ina secure and confidential manner

� Case notes can be brief or lengthy. Theycontain a range of various information,depending on your organisation’s requirements

� Young people are legally able to access casenotes

� Case notes need to be kept simple and relevant

� You may be subpoenaed to court to explainyour case notes. Hence they need to beaccurate.



Topic 6

Duty of care


Duty of care

There are several aspects to duty of care:

� Legal - What does the law suggest you do?

� Professional/ethical – What do otherworkers expect you to do?

� Organisational – What does yourorganisation, and its funding body, say youshould do?

� Community – What do the parents of ourclients and other community membersexpect you to do?

� Personal – What do your own beliefs andvalues suggest you do?


Duty of care

� ‘Duty of care’ requires workers to keep clients,themselves and other workers safe from harm,where possible

� Young people with AOD issues are particularlyat risk and this can result in conflicts ofinterest for workers who must balance therights of young people against the need toprotect them from harm

� A wide range of legislation impacts on the livesof young people and can vary from state tostate.

� In most states, child protection legislationrequires workers to report situations wherechildren and young people are at risk.


Duty of care Cont ...

We can reasonably expect that workerswill:

act within the law

have knowledge of workplace policies

have the skills and training to workwith young people

have knowledge of legal and illicit drugsand their effects

use their common sense.


Duty of care Cont ...

The principle of duty of care is thatyou have an obligation to avoid acts oromissions, which could be reasonablyforeseen to injure or harm otherpeople.

This means that you must anticipaterisks to your clients and take care toprevent them from coming to harm.Remember that harm encompasses bothphysical and emotional harm.


Duty of care Cont...

You need to balance the safety of theyoung person against other concernssuch as:

the safety of other people/yourpersonal safety

other rights of young people (e.g. theright to privacy)

the aims of the service (e.g. toempower young people)

the limits of your organisation(e.g. money and other resources).


Duty of care Cont...

Supervision is an important part oftaking care of yourself and should bean ongoing process

Supervision can be provided bymanagers (in-house), by externalproviders (usually on a contract basis),or by peers (in a team supervisionsituation)

Supervision provides a learningopportunity by allowing you time toreflect on your work and develop yourprofessional skills.


Duty of care Cont…

Summary

� ‘Duty of care’ requires workers to keepclients, themselves and other workers safefrom harm, where possible

� Young people with AOD issues are particularlyat risk and this can result in conflicts ofinterest for workers who must balance therights of young people against the need toprotect them from harm

� A wide range of legislation impacts on thelives of young people and can vary from stateto state.

� In most states, child protection legislationrequires workers to report situations wherechildren and young people are at risk.



Topic 7

Supervision


Negotiating and maintainingeffective supervision

The supervision process provides you withthe opportunity to:

� reflect and discuss challenging and confrontingaspects of your work

� reflect on things that you have done well andwork out ways of dealing with situations moreeffectively

� discuss situations with clients where you feelyou are ‘stuck’ (whilst maintainingconfidentiality, of course!)

� explore any issues arising out of their work rolethat need addressing


Negotiating and maintainingeffective supervision Cont ...

– Supervision can be provided bymanagers, by external providers orby peers

– Supervision provides a learningopportunity by allowing you to reflecton your work and develop yourprofessional skills


Identifying supportnetworks

Summary

Working with young people can bedemanding and workers need to developsupport networks, including workplacesupervision

Supervision should be regarded as aright and provides an opportunity todebrief and to develop strategies fordealing with issues

Supervision is more effective when it isplanned and when the worker has setclear goals for the session

Documents

Training Frontline Workers - Young People Alcohol …...Mod 11 - Young People and Drugs Issues for Workers 3 Learning outcomes When you have completed this module you will be able