Problem
A worker, Jill, has been supporting a client called Ellie who has complex issues including mental health, AOD issues and serious financial concerns for six months. Jill seeks supervision following a particularly stressful event, when Ellie threatened Jill with a knife.
When debriefing Jill, you recognise symptoms of burnout, excessive stress and possibly depression. She also talks about her difficulty in dealing with her brother who died earlier in the year.
A. What are two signs of burnout?
B. Given what you know about burnout, what factors may have led to Jill developing this condition?
C. What are possible consequences of jill experiencing chronic excessive stress? What kind of stress did she experience during the critical incident with Ellie?
D. How can an organisation prepare to meet the needs of staff members who experience grief and loss?
E. When a worker is subject to violent or threatening behaviour, what are two actions that should follow from the incident? Identify a reporting requirement and a support measure.
F. Risk assessment and subsequent planning are actions an organisation can take to support and protect the wellbeing of workers and people with support needs. List two actions the organisation can take to assess risks in relation to providing support to Ellie.
G. Identify stages of a risk assessment process the organisation can undertake to plan support for staff who work with Ellie.
H. when Debriefing Jil after the incident, what would you be aiming to do before the two of you made decision about resolving Jil's long term issues?