This guide will help you with answers for NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Behaviour that Challenges 3.1 Referral services available to provide support for individuals.
Understanding the referral services available to support individuals with challenging behaviour is important. As a support worker, knowing who to refer to can make a significant difference in the quality of care.
What Are Referral Services?
Referral services are specialised organisations or professionals that offer specific types of support. These services are essential for individuals with challenging behaviour, as they provide targeted assistance that a general support worker might not specialise in.
Types of Referral Services
Different individuals have different needs; hence, various types of referral services are available. Let’s explore some of these really important resources.
General Practitioners (GPs)
Role: GPs are often the first point of contact.
Function: They assess the individual’s overall health and can refer them to specialised medical professionals if needed. They can also prescribe medication and monitor the individual’s ongoing health conditions.
Why refer?
- If the individual has unexplained physical symptoms
- For initial mental health assessments
- To get referrals to specialists like psychiatrists or psychologists
Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs)
Role: Multi-disciplinary teams providing support in the community.
Function: They offer a range of services including counselling, psychiatric assessments, and social work support. They also help with care planning and crisis intervention.
Why refer?
- For ongoing mental health issues
- In cases of severe challenging behaviour that needs continuous support
Educational Psychologists
Role: Specialists in child and young people’s psychological and educational development.
Function: They perform assessments and offer methods to improve learning and behaviour in school settings.
Why refer?
- If challenging behaviour is observed in school
- For tailored educational plans
- To get expert advice on behavioural interventions
Social Services
Role: Provide support aimed at safeguarding and enhancing individuals’ well-being.
Function: They help with housing, day-to-day activities, financial issues, and access to community services. They can also offer respite care to give primary carers a break.
Why refer?
- For assistance with daily living needs
- To access protective services if there are safeguarding concerns
Occupational Therapists
Role: Help individuals achieve independence in daily activities.
Function: They assess the individual’s needs and create personalised plans to improve functional skills.
Why refer?
- To develop skills for daily living
- When the individual’s behaviour impacts their ability to function independently
Speech and Language Therapists
Role: Specialists in communication skills.
Function: They assess and offer methods to improve communication abilities, which can often reduce challenging behaviour linked to frustration from communication barriers.
Why refer?
- For speech or language issues
- To improve communication methods
Psychiatrists and Psychologists
Role: Mental health professionals specialising in diagnosis (psychiatrists) and therapy (psychologists). Mental health professionals play a critical role in supporting individuals facing various psychological challenges. They not only diagnose and treat mental health disorders but also engage in ongoing education about the implications of legislation on mental health, which can significantly affect treatment options and patient rights. By staying informed about these laws, psychiatrists and psychologists can advocate effectively for their clients and ensure that high standards of care are maintained in their practices.
Function: They provide comprehensive assessments and a range of therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and medication management if needed.
Why refer?
- For complex mental health needs
- When medications need to be reviewed or started
Carer Support Services
Role: Provide support to those who care for individuals with challenging behaviour.
Function: Offer training, respite services, and emotional support.
Why refer?
- If primary carers need education or emotional support
- For respite care to prevent caregiver burnout
The Need for Referral Services
Understanding what each service offers helps you make informed decisions. Referral services play a really important role in creating a comprehensive support system tailored to the individual’s unique needs.
Reducing Crisis Situations
Effective use of referral services can help prevent crisis situations. Early intervention can actually reduce the severity and frequency of challenging behaviour.
Access to Expertise
Referral services provide access to specialised knowledge. For instance, an educational psychologist will be better equipped to deal with school-related issues than a general practitioner.
Holistic Support
Engaging multiple services offers holistic support, addressing the individual’s physical, emotional, social, and educational needs.
How to Make Referrals
Understanding how to make referrals is as important as knowing who to refer to. The process usually involves a few key steps:
Gathering Information
Collect comprehensive details about the individual’s behaviour, medical history, and current care plan. The more information you provide, the better the service can tailor their support. Gather information on the individual’s preferences, daily activities, and any specific needs they require in order to enhance their quality of life. It is essential to also document any past experiences with certain treatments or interventions, as well as any known allergies or intolerances. Furthermore, by understanding the individual’s support network and care preferences, we can better assist in minimising end of life care barriers and ensuring their comfort and dignity are maintained until the end.
Communicating Effectively
Communicate clearly and respectfully with the individual and their family. Explain why you are making the referral and how it can help.
Completing Referral Forms
Most services have referral forms that need to be filled out. Ensure that all necessary sections are completed accurately to avoid delays.
Following Up
After making a referral, follow up to ensure that the individual receives the support they need. Communication between you and the referral service is important for effective care coordination.
Final Thoughts
Referral services are integral to supporting individuals with challenging behaviour. By understanding and utilising these resources effectively, you enhance the quality of care provided, reduce crisis situations, and ensure a comprehensive, holistic approach.
Remember, your role as a support worker is key. By staying informed about available referral services and how to access them, you play a key part in the well-being and development of the individuals you support.
Example answers for unit 3.1 Referral services available to provide support for individuals
Example Answer 1:
“As a support worker, I’ve found that General Practitioners (GPs) are often the first point of contact for individuals with challenging behaviour. They can assess the individual’s overall health and make referrals to specialists if needed. For example, if an individual is showing unexplained physical symptoms or needs an initial mental health assessment, the GP can provide referrals to psychiatrists or psychologists. This ensures the individual gets the specialised care they need.”
Example Answer 2:
“Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs) are a key referral service for individuals with ongoing mental health issues. These multidisciplinary teams offer services such as counselling, psychiatric assessments, and social work support. By engaging with CMHTs, the individual can receive continuous support, care planning, and crisis intervention. This is particularly useful for severe cases of challenging behaviour that require ongoing attention.”
Example Answer 3:
“Educational Psychologists are invaluable for addressing challenging behaviour observed in school settings. They specialise in child and young people’s psychological and educational development. By referring the individual to an Educational Psychologist, we can get tailored educational plans and expert advice on behavioural interventions. This helps in creating a supportive learning environment that can actually improve the individual’s behaviour.”
Example Answer 4:
“Social Services provide extensive support aimed at safeguarding and enhancing an individual’s wellbeing. They assist with housing, day-to-day activities, and financial issues, and can offer respite care for primary carers. Referring to Social Services is important when the individual needs assistance with daily living or when there are safeguarding concerns. This ensures that the individual’s broader social needs are met.”
Example Answer 5:
“Occupational Therapists are essential for helping individuals achieve independence in daily activities. They assess the individual’s needs and create personalised plans to improve functional skills. A referral to an Occupational Therapist is beneficial when the individual’s behaviour impacts their ability to function independently. This focused support can greatly enhance the individual’s quality of life.”
Example Answer 6:
“Carer Support Services provide essential training, respite services, and emotional support to those caring for individuals with challenging behaviour. Referring to these services is important when primary carers need education or emotional support. Also, respite care services can prevent caregiver burnout, ensuring that carers are well-equipped to continue providing quality care.”
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