COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the course on Supporting Relationships with Carer & Family. This course is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively support carers and their families in various care settings.

Addressing the needs of carers and families requires a comprehensive understanding of the broader context surrounding caregiving and the effective strategies to enhance their quality of life. In this course, we delve into various aspects of caregiving, equipping participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide holistic support to carers and their families.

Section A of this course focuses on the theoretical component for supporting carers and families. We begin by examining the demographics of carers, the support organisations available, and the resources they can access. Understanding these elements is crucial for providing effective support. Carer support organisations, such as Carers Australia, play a vital role in advocacy, information dissemination, and providing counselling services. Addressing common attitudes, stereotypes, and myths about caring is essential to fostering a supportive environment. Additionally, recognising the different pathways into service settings and their implications for both the person receiving care and their family is crucial for comprehensive support.

Participants will learn about the rights, roles, and responsibilities of those involved in the care relationship. The person receiving care has the right to be treated with dignity, respect, and to be involved in decision-making processes. Family members and friends often provide essential emotional and practical support, while support workers are responsible for delivering professional care and respecting the roles of family members and friends.

The impact of the caring role on carers and their families can be significant, encompassing physical, emotional, social, and financial aspects. Carers often face physical strain, emotional stress, social isolation, and financial challenges. These responsibilities can also affect family dynamics, sometimes creating tensions or strengthening relationships, depending on the support structures in place. Understanding these impacts is crucial for providing comprehensive support.

We will explore different family patterns and structures, such as nuclear families, extended families, single-parent families, blended families, childless families, grandparent families, and culturally diverse families, and their influence on the caregiving process. Each family structure presents unique challenges and requires tailored support approaches. Life cycle transitions, such as aging, illness progression, or changes in care settings, can bring both positive changes and challenges, necessitating careful management and support.

Current service delivery models emphasise person-centred practice, strengths-based practice, and active support. Person-centred practice focuses on individual preferences and needs, ensuring that care is respectful and tailored. Strengths-based practice leverages the capabilities of the individual and their family to improve outcomes. Active support encourages participation in daily activities, promoting independence and well-being. Social and emotional wellbeing frameworks provide a holistic approach to care, addressing both social and emotional needs.

Organisational policies and procedures are critical in supporting carers and enhance various aspects of life, including self-care, communication, mobility, and more. Assistive technologies help individuals maintain independence, reduce the burden on carers, and improve overall care outcomes. Additionally, they support educational and employment opportunities, fostering growth and independence for both carers and those they care for.

Effective risk assessment tools and management strategies are vital for identifying and mitigating potential hazards. Legal and ethical requirements, such as anti-discrimination laws, privacy, confidentiality, and clear work role boundaries, are integral to ethical care practice.

Section B focuses on practical skills and strategies for supporting carers and families. Participants will learn how to conduct initial assessments to identify the roles and significance of carers and family members in the person's life. Effective communication with carers and family members is essential, and you will develop skills to engage in open, respectful dialogue that acknowledges their contributions and expertise.

Collaborating with carers and families to develop tailored support plans is a key component of this section. Participants will learn to involve carers and families in decision-making processes, promote their autonomy, and address unmet needs through referrals and collaboration with other healthcare professionals. You will explore methods for incorporating carers' and families' insights into care planning, ensuring that support strategies are personalised and effective.

Understanding the role and use of assistive technologies is another crucial aspect of this section. Participants will gain practical knowledge on how to introduce and utilise various assistive technologies to enhance the independence of the person receiving care and reduce the workload on carers. Training and support for carers and families in using these technologies will be covered, ensuring they can effectively support the person receiving care.

Risk assessment and management are critical to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for carers and families. Participants will learn to conduct regular assessments of the care relationship, identify potential risks, and implement strategies to mitigate these risks. You will also learn to engage in sensitive communication with carers, families, and the person receiving care to address concerns and sources of stress.

This course also covers strategies for supporting carers and families through life cycle transitions. You will learn to facilitate discussions about the positive aspects of change, such as increased independence or new opportunities for growth, and develop strategies to capitalise on these aspects. Providing ongoing guidance and emotional support to carers and families is essential, and participants will explore methods for maintaining their active involvement in the care process.

Legal and ethical considerations are integrated throughout the course, ensuring that participants understand and adhere to relevant laws and ethical standards. You will learn to handle personal and sensitive information with care, maintain confidentiality, and create a secure environment for discussions.

By the end of this course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and practical skills to support carers and families effectively, fostering an inclusive and supportive care environment. Welcome to a journey of learning and professional growth in supporting relationships with carers and families.

This course is designed to align with the content outlined in the Nationally Recognised Unit of Competency CHCCCS036.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:

Section A: Knowledge

1. Context for caring in Australia

• Carer demographics
• Carer support organisations and resources
• Attitudes, stereotypes, false beliefs and myths associated with caring
• Different pathways into service settings for the person and the implications for carer and family

2. Rights, roles and responsibilities of different people in the care relationship

• The person receiving care
• Family members
• Friends
• Support worker

3. Impact of the caring role on carer and family

• Physical Impact
• Emotional Impact
• Social Impact
• Financial Impact
• Impact on Family Dynamics

4. Different family patterns and structures and their impact on the person

·       Nuclear Families

·       Extended Families

·       Single-Parent Families

·       Blended Families

·       Childless Families

·       Grandparent Families

·       Culturally Diverse Families

5. Life cycle transitions

• Types of transitions
• Positive and negative impacts

6. Current service delivery philosophy and models

• Basic principles of person-centred practice, strengths-based practice and active support
• Strategies to work positively with carers and families
• Social and emotional wellbeing frameworks

7. Organisational policies and procedures in relation to carers and families

Scope and breadth of assistive technologies used across the life domains, including:

• Self-care
• Continence and hygiene
• Communication
• Mobility and transferring
• Cognition and memory loss
• Vision and hearing
• Daily living activities
• Recreation and leisure
• Education and employment
• Home and other environments
• Eating and drinking
• Pressure area management
• Carer support

8. Role and use of assistive technologies in supporting the activities of the carer and family and the person receiving support

·       Enhancing Independence for the Person Receiving Support

·       Reducing the Burden on Carers

·       Improving Overall Care Outcomes

·       Enhancing Educational and Employment Opportunities

9. Risk assessment tools and management strategies for the carer and family

10. Legal and ethical requirements for working with the carer and family and how these are applied in an organisation and individual practice

• Discrimination
• Privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
• Work role boundaries, responsibilities and limitations.

Section B: Performance Tasks 

·       Conduct an initial assessment to identify the carer and family members of the person, recognising their roles and significance in the person's life and support network.

·       Acknowledge and communicate the vital role that carer and family members play in the person's well-being and care.

·       Collaborate with carer and family members in a way that values and respects their relationships with the person.

·       Engage with carer and family members to tap into their knowledge and insights about the person's preferences, needs, and support requirements.

·       Identify the specific knowledge and skills possessed by carer and family members that complement own role in providing support.

·       Acknowledge the expertise and insights of carer and family members in areas relevant to the person's well-being and support needs.

·       Collaboratively plan and design the person's support services by including carer and family members in discussions, decision-making, and goal-setting.

·       Ensure that carer and family members actively participate in the development and delivery of the support plan.

·       Provide information and guidance to carer and family members about available assistive technologies that can benefit both the person and themselves.

·       Offer training and support to ensure carer and family members understand the use of assistive technologies and can effectively support the person.

·       Conduct regular assessments of the care relationship to identify any potential changes or challenges that may arise, such as increased care needs or shifts in family dynamics.

·       Assess the risks associated with these changes, considering the physical and psychological well-being of the carer, family, and the person receiving support.

·       Engage in open and sensitive communication with carer, family, and the person to understand their concerns and potential sources of stress or harm.

·       Collaborate with the care team to develop strategies for addressing identified risks, ensuring alignment with organisational policies, legal requirements, and ethical standards.

·       Implement risk mitigation strategies in a timely manner, such as providing additional support or resources to prevent harm to the carer, family, or the person.

·       Regularly review and update risk management plans to address changing circumstances.

·       Facilitate discussions with the person, carer, and family to explore the positive aspects of change and transition, such as increased independence or new opportunities for personal growth.

·       Collaboratively identify and implement strategies to capitalise on these positive aspects, ensuring that the care relationship remains supportive and fulfilling for all involved.

·       Provide ongoing guidance and emotional support to carer and family members to ensure they remain actively involved in the life of the person.

·       Encourage carer and family engagement by organising family meetings, information sessions, or relevant support groups.

·       Promote open communication channels to address any concerns or issues that may arise during the care relationship's changes.

·       Begin every interaction with the carer and family by reaffirming the importance of confidentiality and privacy.

·       Ensure that all personal and sensitive information shared by the carer and family is handled with the utmost care, and only disclosed to relevant parties when necessary and with proper consent.

·       Create a secure and confidential environment for discussions, whether in person, via phone, or through secure online channels.

·       Engage in regular conversations with the carer and family to identify any additional services or support they may require to sustain the care relationship effectively.

·       Collaborate with the carer and family to determine the specific services or resources needed, such as respite care, counselling, or educational programs.

·       Provide guidance on how to access and navigate these services, assisting with referrals when necessary.

·       Maintain open and empathetic communication with the carer and family, actively listening to their concerns and challenges.

·       Identify potential stressors or issues that could affect their physical and emotional well-being, such as carer burnout or emotional distress.

·       Collaboratively develop strategies to address these issues, including self-care techniques, stress management, or counselling services.

·       Offer comprehensive information about available support services, including details on what each service provides and how to access them.

·       Distribute informational materials or brochures outlining support options, contact information, and the process for accessing services.

·       Encourage the carer and family to actively explore and utilise these support services, guiding them through the steps to initiate contact and engage with the services effectively.

·       Recognise and respond to the support needs of the carer or family members of at least three different people who are using the service

·       Provide support to the carer or family of one person undergoing a change in care arrangements including identification of risks and use of strategies to address risks.

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.