Assignment Task: Gladys has been referred to your organisation by her doctor, which is the Winkly Community Centre. Your role in the organisation is an assessor/support worker. You are to take Gladys through the assessment process. Your organisation uses DASS 21 (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales), Kessler 10 (K-10), and Indigenous Risk Impact Screen (IRIS). You will need to refer to your learner guide for the interpretation of each of the assessment tools used in this project.
She is coming into the service today after you have administered the three-assessment tests on her in the last three sessions which has been one session per fortnight. She has reported that she has been having some trouble with her thoughts lately and has also reported that she is feeling down and a bit sad. When asking Gladys why, she tells you that she has had a hard life and that she has been looking after her grannies (Grandkids). She reports that she is getting a bit tired and finding it hard to pay for food and other stuff for her grannies.
She reports that she grew up in an orphanage and explains that she was taken from her home and her family. She feels that she was abandoned by her family and says that no one came looking for her when she was little. She says that this is one of the reasons that she looks after grannies as she wants to keep her family safe and close by.
Gladys presents to the session every week with little clothing and in poor condition. She always asks for a cup of tea and a biscuit which you supply her with. The weather has been cold, and Gladys has no jumper. Gladys does not look you in the eyes as she talks with you rather that she mumbles a bit and looks down at the ground. Sometimes her words have been slurred and you have smelt alcohol on her on occasion.
As you go through the process, you will be asked to formulate a file for Gladys which will include:
Q1. Discuss the capacity of the services that you might refer Gladys to.
Q2. Describe what impacts a strength-based perspective will have when working with Gladys
Q3. Describe any cultural issues or concerns that you might have when working with Gladys
Q4. Discuss what communication techniques you would use to gather information from Gladys
Q5. Describe what sources you would use to gather further information for Gladys and to complete assessments?