Facilitator manual

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Making the most of
DisabilityCare Australia, the
National Disability Insurance
Scheme
Workshop Facilitator Manual
Overview
Unit 1: Introduction to DisabilityCare Australia, the National Disability
Insurance Scheme,
1.1 Welcome and introductions
1.2 Workshop overview
1.3 What is DisabiltyCare Australia, the National Disability Insurance Scheme?
1.4 The current recovery-oriented system for persons with a lived experience of mental illness
1.5 DisabilityCare Austrlia model of service delivery
1.6 What can be expected from DisabilityCare Australia?
Unit 2: Preparing for assessment and choosing supports and services
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Effective ways to support people at different stages of recovery
2.3 What are the most important factors to consider in supporting recovery
Unit 3: Supporting people to take control of their lives
3.1 Being empowered consumers
3.2 Making plans
3.3 Supporting the person as they make their goals and plans
3.4 Supporting through information and advocacy
3.5 Wrap up
2
Purpose of the workshop
Aim: To develop an understanding of the proposed National Disability Insurance Scheme,
DisabiltyCare Australia and develop an awareness of how to effectively access the scheme.
Objectives:
 To gain an understanding of the why DisabiltyCare Australia is being developed
 To gain an understanding of what DisabiltyCare Australia entails
 To develop awareness of how to effectively access DisabilityCare Australia to ensure it best
meets personal recovery objectives and movement towards life plans.
 Identify supports and resources
Target group
 People with personal experience of caring for someone with a mental illness, who want to
learn more about DisabiltyCare Australia.
Additional learner needs and considerations
 Varied learning styles
 C.A.L.D. background- interpreter may be required
 Disability access and considerations to venue set up
Learning environment
 Workshops will be run in meeting rooms
 Location needs to be accessible to local community
 Venue requirements
- Access to whiteboard,
- Access to laptop and projector preferred
- Access to tea and coffee making facilities
- Meets OH+S standards
- Outside area for break times
Operational resource requirements
 Org support to collate workshop resources
 Train nationally based facilitators to deliver workshops
 Liaise with organisations to support facilitator training, workshop delivery and recruitment to
workshops
 All delivery to remain within budget (costings to be developed)
Language literacy and Numeracy (LLN) requirements
 Workshop participants require basic reading and listening skills
Style
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Presentation style
Information giving
Powerpoint slides and verbal communication
Group discussion
Question and answer time - group discussion
3
Unit 1: Introduction to the NDIS
1.1 Welcome and introductions
1.2 Workshop overview
1.3 What is DisabiltyCare Australia, the National Disability Insurance Scheme?
1.4 The current recovery-oriented system for persons with a lived experience of mental illness
1.5 The DisabiltyCare Australia model of service delivery
1.6 What can be expected from DisabiltyCare Australia?
1.1
Welcome and introductions
PPT 1: Well Ways logo
Introductions
Introduce yourself, and establish your credibility by providing information such as;
 Are you a family member of a person living with a mental illness?
Whiteboard exercise
Ask the group to briefly introduce themselves and state;
 Their name
 Their relationship with the person with a mental illness
 What types of diagnoses have these people had?
Draw the group’s attention to the similarities and differences in the relationships and
diagnoses.
Housekeeping
 Toilets
 Breaks
 Mobile phones
 Confidentiality
 Anything else?
4
1.2
Workshop overview
PPT 2: Aims of the Session
Aims of the session
• To learn about DisabilityCare Australia, the National
Disability Insurance Scheme
• To explore how to prepare for DisabilityCare Australia
• To reflect on how families can support practical goal
setting and choosing the supports and services that will
best help people achieve their life plans
• To identify any supports and resources families might
need
5
1.3
What is DisabiltyCare Australia?
PPT 3: What is DisabilityCare Australia? Group Exercise
What is DisabilityCare Australia?
Group Exercise
• Universal health care scheme
• Comparing Medicare with DisabilityCare
Australia
• Exercise – list features of Medicare
Notes for PPT 3 – What is DisabilityCare Australia – group exercise
National Disability Insurance Schemes have been implemented in other countries in the world
successfully (eg Scotland) and will be implemented here in Australia over the next few years.
The first feature is:
1. Universal Health Care Scheme
DisabilityCare Australia is a universal health care scheme that will allow people who have a
permanent disability to be supplied with the financial means to pay for the supports that they
need to have as active and fulfilling a life as possible for them at no cost to them.
Whiteboard exercise
Medicare is another universal health care scheme that is operational in Australia. This exercise
will compare and contrast the features of the two schemes to help the group to understand
how DisabilityCare Australia will work.
Ask the group to list the features of Medicare, write on the white board and cross check with
list below. Once this exercise is complete, fill in the right side of the table in relation to the
details of DisabilityCare Australia.
6
Medicare
DisabilityCare Australia
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Australia wide
Free to all people to use
Government funded through taxes
Approved services only – for
example dentists or chinese
doctors are not available under
medicare
Everyone in Australia is able to
use the services
All types of health issues and
mental health issues
Operates alongside a private
system



Australia wide
Free to all people to use
Government funded
Approved services only – must
pass a ‘reasonable and necessary’
test (more later)
Eligiblity is based on assessed
need
All types of disabilities including
mental health
Operates alongside a private
system – eg private psychiatric
hospitals, private psychiatrists
PPT 4 – What is DisabilityCare Australia..continued
What is DisabilityCare Australia,
the National Disability Insurance Scheme?
• Universal health care scheme
• Has been implemented in other countries in the world
(eg Scotland) successfully and will be implemented here
in Australia over the next few years
• There are many details of the NDIS still to be worked out
• Focuses on those who are most in need who have a
permanent disability
• Focuses on intensive early intervention
• The NDIS will be launched at 4 trial sites in mid 2013
7
PPT 4 Notes – Features of DisabilityCare Australia continued

Universal Health care scheme (as discussed)

It will focus on those most in need with a permanent disability that
significantly affects their communication, mobility, self-care or selfmanagement. People will be assessed as to whether they fit the criteria to
be eligible for the scheme. It will also focus on intensive early intervention
in the provision of services.
There is also an element to the service that will be about providing
information and referral to help people with a disability that need access to
mainstream disability community supports.
Trialled in 2013. DisabilityCare Australia will be launched at 4 trial sites in
mid 2013. These are South Australia (focusing on children with a
disability), Tasmania (focusing on young people aged 15 – 24), NSW and
Victoria – Barwon, (focussing on adults) .
The group probably has many more questions about DisabilityCare Australia. However,
before we go into the details of the program, let’s discuss the current system as it relates to
mental illness and contrast it with the proposed new system. This will highlight some of the
principles behind the program and will help to understand how the program will work
8
1.4 The current recovery oriented system for people with a lived
experience of mental illness
This system is referred to by the government departments as the Psychiatric Disability
Rehabilitation and Support Services.
People with mental illness most often will have been treated within the clinical system
– either by GPs, Psychiatrists either in the community or in in-patient facilities.
PPT 5: The current model of recovery services
Current model of PDRSS
service
Notes to PPT 5 – The current model of recovery/rehabilitation services
People with the lived experience of mental illness and their families are referred to the
Psychiatric Disability Rehabilitation and Support Services and Carer Respite Services in their
local catchment area for recovery support. This system includes services such as Home
Based Outreach, Day Program, Personal Helpers and Mentors, Respite, Residential
programs.
These services provide the following types of services in the community, centre based and in
people’s homes (many people in the group will be familiar with these services);
9
PPT 6: Types of services/activities offered in Psychiatric Disability Rehabilitation
Support Services and Carer Respite Services
Psychiatric Disability
Rehabilitation Support Services &
Carer Respite Services
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Supported accommodation
Community activities
Learning activities
Socialising activities
Sporting activities
Employment support
Housing support
Group learning
Family education
Personal development/recovery group learning
Breaks away from caring roles
PPT 7: Features of the current model
Features of current model
• People are only entitled to services within the region that
they live
• Services are funded to provide a certain number of hours
of service
• The types of services don’t necessarily suit everyone
• Not many services have catered to the needs of people
from diverse cultures
Notes to PPT 7 - Features of the current model
People are only entitled to services within the region that they live
 Can only have services within a defined area of region – cannot go out of that area if the
services are full or if something they are interested in is in another area.
Services are funded to provide a certain number of hours of service.
 As a consequence many services have long waiting times to be accepted to the service
and many people aren’t getting access to services
The types of services don’t necessarily suit everyone.
 For example, most of them are group based, and some people would like to do things on a
one-to-one basis.
Not many services have catered to the needs of people from diverse cultures.
 Therefore people from these cultures don’t have the opportunity to receive support or
cultural appropriateness for their individual or family needs.
10
1.5
The DisabilityCare Australia model of service
People with mental illness most often will have been treated within the clinical system – either
by GPs, Psychiatrists either in the community or in in-patient facilities like in the current system
PPT 8: DisabilityCare Australia model of service
The DisabilityCare Australia
model of service
1. Referral to DisabilityCare Australia
2. Assessment by DisabilityCare Australia
• Assessment of eligibility
3.
•
•
•
•
Planning and choosing services and support
Form a plan of what the person wants and needs to achieve independence
Must be ‘reasonable and necessary’
Establish an individual budget based on the plan
Identify and access services and supports with Local Area Coordinator
4. Review process
• Review outcomes of support
• Changes made as needed
Notes for PPT 8: The DisabilityCare Australia model of service
1. Referral to DisabilityCare Australia
2. Assessment by DisabilityCare Australia
 Assessment of need – may involve family/carer; may draw on existing
assessments; may include specialist assessment
3. Planning and choosing services and support
 DisabilityCare Australia planner supports person to decide what the person wants
and what services they need. This becomes a goal plan.
 These services are assessed as to whether they are ‘reasonable and necessary’ –
to be further discussed later
 Establishment of individual budget
 Local Area Coordinator assists with identifying and accessing services and
supports
4. Review process
 Local Area Coordinator meets person to discuss whether the support has been
useful and what changes might be necessary to make in the plan.
 Adjustments made as needed
11
PPT 9: Features of DisabilityCare Australia model
Features of the
DisabilityCare Australia
model
• Individuals can decide what types of services they need
• Individuals can choose services that are not necessarily in
their local area
• Individuals can choose services from mainstream
providers
• Individuals can choose culturally appropriate, religiously
appropriate services
Notes for PPT 9: Features of DisabilityCare Australia model
Features of this model include:
Individuals can decide
 in consultation with DisabilityCare Australia and family, individuals can decide what types
of services they need (within the ‘reasonable and necessary ‘ confines to be discussed
later)
Individuals can choose services that are not in their local area
 Individuals are not confined to services provided within a given area
Individuals have the option of seeking services from mainstream providers.
 For examples directly from Neighbourhood Houses, Walking Clubs and other sporting
clubs, art teachers, learning institutions as well as PDRSS to receive the services that
currently they can only get from PDRSS
Individuals will have the option of seeking services that are culturally appropriate
 People will choose services that are familiar to them and who have ways of providing
services that are most comfortable, and who have understandings of a particular groups’
needs, for example gay and lesbian people, the needs of a particular religious group,
varying ethnic cultures.
12
PPT 10 Principles that inform DisabilityCare Australia
Principles that inform
DisabilityCare Australia
Principles that inform DisabilityCare Australia
• Individualism
• Choice for the individual
• Control for the individual
In summary, the two models similarities and differences are represented in the next table;
PPT 11 Current and DisabilityCare Australia service delivery
Current vs.
DisabilityCare Australia
Service Delivery
Current System
DisabilityCare Australia system
Individuals can choose from the services
that are offered within the local PDRSS
services and Commonwealth Respite
Services for families
Individuals can decide what types of
services they need and from a broader
range of services
Local area only
Individuals are not confined to services
provided within a given area
Services are funded to provide a certain
number of hours of service
Length and intensity of service is provided
according to need
The types of services that are available don’t Individuals have the option of seeking
necessarily suit everyone
services from mainstream and private
providers
Not many services have catered to the
needs of people from diverse cultures,
religious groups, varying sexuality
Individuals will be able to choose to
purchase what they need from ethnospecific services and those who cater to
the needs of different religions and
sexualities
13
1.6
What can be expected from DisabilityCare Australia
Individuals can decide what they want (often in consultation with family) that will enhance their
recovery. The scheme however stipulates that supports and services are both ‘reasonable’
and ‘necessary’.
PPT 12: What does ‘reasonable’ and ‘necessary’ mean?
What does ‘reasonable’
& ‘necessary’ mean?
• Should support the individual to achieve their plans and maximize their
independence
• Should support the individual’s capacity to undertake the types of things
that people need to do every day and to enable them to participate in the
community and/or employment
• Are effective, and evidence informed
• Offer value for money
• Should reflect community expectations, including what is realistic to expect
from the individual, families and carers
• Are best provided through this system rather than through other systems of
service delivery and support
Notes for PPT 12: What does ‘reasonable’ and ‘necessary’ mean?
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Should support the individual to achieve their plans and maximize their independence
Should support the individual’s capacity to undertake the types of things everyone
needs to do each day and to enable them to participate in the community and/or
employment
Are effective, and evidence informed
Offer value for money
Should reflect community expectations, including what is realistic to expect from the
individual, families and carers
Are best provided through this system rather than through other systems of service
delivery and support, including services that are provided through mainstream services
as a part of their universal service obligations.
Small group exercise
 What do you understand ‘reasonable’ and ‘necessary’ to mean?
 What do you think are the opportunities of DisabilityCare Australia for people living with
mental illness? What are the risks?
 What are the opportunities for families? And the risks?
Feedback to large group and large group discussion.
Explain to the group that the information about DisabilityCare Australia moving forward is not
completely settled yet and the best place to get updated information is on the website
http://www.ndis.gov.au/
Break 20 mins
14
Unit 2: Preparing for assessment and choosing supports and services
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Effective ways to support people at different stages of recovery
2.3 What are the most important factors to consider in supporting recovery
60 Minutes
2.1
Introduction
Family members have an important and sensitive role in supporting people with the
lived experience of mental illness make decisions about what supports and services
they need. Judgement issues have to be made about how much the family support,
how much they leave the decisions up to the person to be made on their own, when do
they back off, how much do they back off – issues that can be grouped together as
‘dilemas of caring’.
These decisions are affected by the following issues;
1. Acute through to stabilisation.
Ask the group what they think this issue would have on the amount of care they
need to take for their family member? If the person is more unwell, do they need
to make more decisions or less?
2. Younger person as opposed to an adult person?
Ask the group what impact this has on the amount of responsibility the family
needs to take in supporting the decision making?
3. First episode psychosis as opposed to subsequent episodes of psychosis and
hence more knowledge about mental illness?
Ask the group what impact this has on the level of responsibility that the family
has in supporting decision making?
Discuss
One of the concepts that is commonly used is the idea of moving from care-giving to
care-taking which involved making the above decisions to move from ‘taking the lead’
in decision making to ‘walking side by side’ or ‘walking behind’ in decision making.
Supporting people with decisions around the national disability insurance scheme will
involve many of these decisions for families and carers, always keeping in mind
supporting them to ultimately be more empowered to make decisions for themselve
15
PPT 13 Carers and families can help the person to take control of their support
Carer support
Families can help the person take control by:
• Knowing what helps them manage their illness
• Knowing what they want from life and what they need so
they can reach their goals
• Helping to find information about different options
• Assisting the person to clearly communicate their choices
• Knowing who else can support or advocate for the
person as they choose the support / services they need
to help them reach their goals
2.2
Effective ways to support people at different stages of recovery
As discussed above, supporting people to take responsibility and control of their lives can be a
delicate process of knowing when to step in and when to step back.
Knowledge of these phases helps the families better understand their own journey and the
changing level of resilience they are experiencing at different times. Most importantly, it also
allows the family/carer to get insight into how their loved one is feeling and how well they are
coping depending on where they are along the journey to recovery at that particular time.
Small group exercise
Divide the group into three smaller groups. Allocate one of the following phases of recovery to
each group to consider how families and carer’s might be helpful;
1. Assessment and choosing supports and services/planning during acute illness
2. Assessment and choosing supports and services/planning during early recovery
3. Assessment and choosing supports and services/planning when recovery is well
established
Put the following powerpoint slide up and ask the groups to answer the following questions in
relation to the stage of recovery that they are discussing. Ask each group to report back, and
cross check with information provided below for each stage of recovery. Prompt the group
with this information if necessary and summarise information by showing the slide at the end of
each group’s conversation
16
PPT 14: Small group exercise - assessment and planning
Assessment & planning
• What support would be helpful for a family to provide in
the assessment and planning process?
• What things would the family offer?
• How could the family try and ensure that the person was
as involved as possible in making choices?
• What would the family need to ensure they also feel
supported in this process?
.
PPT 15: Assessment and planning during acute illness
Assessment & planning
during acute illness
• Listen to what the person is communicating, both verbally and
non-verbally – carers and families will often be able to
“translate” some of the concerns and fears a person may have
about the assessment and planning process
• Whenever possible, attend to the person’s preferences about
how meetings or conversations are conducted: e.g., the
person may only be able to tolerate short conversations, or
may wish to sit outside rather than inside
• Draw on plans that were discussed or in place while the
person was less unwell – that way their needs and choices can
still be heard
• Carers and family may need to take a more active and
assertive role if the person’s insight and judgement is affected
17
PPT 16: Assessment and planning during early recovery
Assessment & planning
during early recovery
• Ask the person how they would like you to support them in
the process
• Assist the person to access information about their rights and
the options that are available to them
• Encourage the person to access advice or support from peers
• Resist the urge to expect too much or too little: give the
person space to set their own goals and articulate their own
needs
• Offer messages of hope and encouragement
• Notice small achievements
PPT 17: Assessment and planning when recovery is well established
Assessment & planning
in established recovery
• Encourage the person to take the lead in the process: ask if
they would like your support
• Respect the person’s autonomy
• Offer positive feedback
• Notice small and large achievements
18
2.3
What are the most important factors to consider in supporting
recovery?
Being asked what we want or need can be a challenging question. Many family members will
say that the person they care for has no plans or goals in their life. In preparing for an
assessment process, it can be helpful to begin by exploring what a “good life” might look like
for the person. In simplistic terms the following are considered effective contributors to a good
life:
PPT 18: What makes a good life?
What makes a good life?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Feeling well
Having good nutritious food that you enjoy
Having regular exercise that is enjoyable
Having an income
Having something to do each day that is meaningful to you
Adequate, secure, affordable accommodation
Strong family support
Good friendships and relationships
A positive vision of the future life
Financial support to sustain a good lifestyle
In addition, research into recovery and mental illness tells us that the following factors are
critical in helping people move toward recovery:
19
PPT 19: Recovery Factors
Recovery factors
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Acceptance of illness
Hope and courage
Managing symptoms
Education
Reconstructing identity and purpose
Supporting others
Choice, responsibility, control and empowerment
Meaningful activity
Advocacy
(Pat Deegan)
PPT 20: REFLECTIVE EXERCISE in pairs
Reflective exercise
Take a moment to reflect on what you know about the person
you care for. Discuss with the other person:
• What areas do you think they have made small progress in
already?
• What areas have they made large progress in?
• What type of questions could you image using in a
conversation with your family member to prompt
conversation about these issues?
• Which areas that we have identified do you think will be a
priority for them?
• Do you have ideas about what you think would be the most
helpful types of support and services could be purchased for
them through Disability Care Australia?
Discussion
Make the point that a good life can look different for everyone, and it is important that each
person is able to define this for themselves. However, people with serious mental illness may
not believe or have hope that they could achieve in each of these areas. It is important for
carers and families to hold this hope and the expectation of a good life.
20
Unit 3: Supporting people to take control of their lives
3.1 Being empowered consumers
3.2 Making plans
3.3 Supporting the person as they make their goals and plans
3.4 Supporting through information and advocacy
3.5 Wrap up
60 Minutes
Facilitator Note: For this module, you could bring in some examples of planning tools that carers
and families could use to assist in having a conversation with the person about their life goals and
the supports they need to achieve these. You will find these tools on the following web page
http://mifellowship.org/content/well-ways-family-education-program under Wk 9 - Person Centred
Planning Hanbook
3.1
Becoming empowered “consumers”
The increasing shift to self-directed care programs, such as DisabilityCare Australia means
that individuals are able to choose from a wider array of services and supports than have
traditionally been offered them. Further, they have the flexibility to spend some of the money
allocated for their care in new ways, based on an individualised plan and budget.
More and more in our society, consumer power is influencing the choices people make and the
level of service they expect to receive. Consumer magazines such as “Choice” provide
research to help us select the best deal and tips for getting the most out of a purchase; people
search reviews online, and we are influenced by the opinions we see in social media like
Twitter. Systems like DisabilityCare Australia will place purchasing power directly in the hands
of people with mental illness.
Discussion
As a group, discuss how you and the person you care for can become confident
consumers/purchasers of services. As a family member/carer, what are your strengths - do
you have particular skills and resources that you can draw on (e.g. good at internet research,
assertive communication, understand how to access advocacy). What will you need to
strengthen and what resources could you draw on to do this?
21
3.2
Making plans
What encourages people to make plans is usually a strong desire to change combined with a
hopeful vision for the future and a sense of what steps need to be taken.
A strong desire to change; a sense of hope; and knowing what the first steps are likely to make
change happen. Knowing what the first steps are is often a crucial point.
Families and carers can play a key role in helping the person move from a “stuck” place where
they’re not sure what they want or need, through the “contemplation” stage where they are
weighing up the pros and cons of making changes and into the “action” stage where they are
ready to take steps toward plans and ideas.
However, it can also be difficult to know how to encourage and inspire without taking over and
developing goals for the person instead of with the person.
PPT 21 - Change
Change
• ‘You can’t change other people – you can only
change yourself’
• Changes to our own communication and
actions may result in more effective support
for the person with the mental illness and
more effective care for ourselves as carers
22
PPT 22: New strategy for carers
New strategy for carers
• Change in
knowledge/thinking
• Change in
behaviour
• Change in results
•
•
•
•
Learning current information about mental
illness
Learning new communication skills
De-stigmatising mental illness
Learning about the
biological/psychological/social model of
mental illness
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Using new communication skills
Using new assertiveness skills
Considering own limits
Seeking biological support if necessary
Seeking psychological support
Seeking social support
Managing change and helpful interventions
New understanding and compassion
•
•
•
•
•
•
Recovery & hope
Improved relationships
Increased independence
Less family stress
Increased wellness
Better chance of sustained recovery
Notes on PPT 22: Strategies for carers, exploring need and making plans
Many carers and families are keen to offer support to the person as they identify the plans that
are part of their own recovery and establishing a good life. Too many of us planning as a
dream about where we want to be but we don't have a map to get there. A dream is an
imagined situation, but a plan is a considered, realistic and achievable destination.
Making plans gives a long-term vision but needs to maintain short-term motivation, so sub
plans should be set to mark smaller steps along the path to the ultimate goal. By setting clearly
defined plans and sub-plans, you can monitor progress and take pride in the achievement of
the all the small steps along the way.
As a family member/carer it is important for you to provide appropriate positive reinforcement
to acknowledge progress made even for the very small steps forward. You can have a huge
impact on the person’s self-confidence as you support their goals, validate them as they learn
from mistakes, and recognize their ability and growing competence to achieve their self set
goals.
23
3.3
Supporting the person as they make their goals and plans
In order to help our loved one we need to understand the basics of goal setting. It is helpful to
start with a very broad question, such as “What does a good life look like for me?” It’s also
useful to take a holistic view and consider a number of life domains rather than focussing on
symptoms or mental health:
PPT 23: Examples of life domains
Examples of life domains
• Family – How do you want your family to feature in your life?
• Physical and mental – What fitness or health goals do you want to
achieve?
• Social - How do you want to enjoy yourself and with whom?
• Creativity - Do you want to achieve any artistic or creative goals?
• Work - What do you want to achieve?
• Financial - How much do you want to earn, by when? How is this
related to your career goals?
• Education - Is there any knowledge you want to acquire in particular?
What information and skills will you need to have in order to achieve
other goals?
• Advocacy/volunteering - Do you want to make the world a better
place? Do you want to be involved in a social cause? If so, how?
24
3.4
Supporting through information and advocacy
PPT 24: Being an effective advocate
Being an effective advocate
1. Know what the person needs to achieve their life plans; and
know what you (as a carer/family member) need to support
their goals. Be ready to talk about this
2. Know about the most effective service providers and be ready
to offer advice or information when required
3. Know about the rights of the person with mental illness and
your rights as a carer
Notes on PPT 24 - Effective Advocacy
People who have a mental illness have the same rights as anyone else in the
community – and if the obstacles created by illness are dealt with or removed, then
they can get on with the business of enjoying life’s opportunities.
Effective advocacy is underpinned by 3 things:
1. Knowledge about the topic being advocated
2. Good communication skills
Improved communication skills give you the tools to get your message across to
professionals in a clear way
3. Assertiveness
With the benefit of both knowledge and communication skills you are in a strong
position to assert what you know are your rights and explain the evidence basis for
your choices
Discussion
What do group members need to do for themselves now? Do they feel equipped to
deal with DisabilityCare Australia and supporting their family member? Do they need
more support and education? Options include Well Ways Building a Future, Arafemi
have some programs and there are a handful of other programs that help families
develop the skills and knowledge to deal with mental illness in their families.
3.5
Wrap Up
Reflect on the session – ask each members of the group to comment on the session.
Hand out the evaluation form to each participant
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