Social Work
Monica from Supported Pathways is registered to provide General Social Work services. Referrals can come from (a) medical practitioners; (b) medical specialists; (c) health care providers with a current referral transferring the entitled person to another health care provider of the same specialty; or (d) hospital discharge planners.
Services provided by our General Social Worker may include but are not limited to:
- general counselling and case management;
- service co-ordination and facilitating access to community services;
- referral and advocacy
- discharge planning (where it is of such complexity that it is deemed outside the scope of the discharge planner’s role and responsibility);
- education and information;
- vocational and employment counselling or rehabilitation;
- accommodation and placement assistance;
Role of Social Workers
Social workers are allied health professionals who provide a range of services to help people improve their wellbeing. They must attain a degree qualification through a recognised tertiary institution and maintain continuig professional develoment to maintain registration.
Social Workers must be registered with the Australian Association of Social Workers – AASW and therefore are accountable for their practice before they can provide therapeutic services within the NDIS and/or the Aged Care System. They must undertake professional clinical supervision to be able to practice within the NDIS and/or the Aged Care System
The profession is recognised through the Allied Health Professions Australia –AHPA.
Social workers can undertake assessments, provide individual and group interventions, and provide training for carers and other stakeholders.
Social workers support people to make change in their lives to improve their personal and social well-being. This happens by identifying issues that require change and connecting people with support such as secure housing or family therapy. Social workers have knowledge of human behaviour and development, life cycle stages, families and social networks, disability and health, including mental health.
Where do social workers practise?
Social workers work in a wide range of public and private settings including community health centres, and public and private hospitals, aged care facilities, education facilities, mental health settings; alcohol and drug services, private clinics and non-government organisations, refugee facilities, correctional institutions, universities and research facilities, group homes, supported employment and government departments.
When should I see a social worker?
There are a wide range of reasons to see a social worker. Issues social workers typically become involved in are
- family dysfunction,
- financial difficulties,
- applications for welfare,
- linking with community resources,
- parenting difficulties,
- child abuse,
- trauma,
- disability,
- unemployment,
- mental health problems,
- alcohol or drug addiction,
- unstable accommodation,
- and many more
What services do social workers provide?
Social workers offer a broad range of services to individuals or groups. From a primary health perspective, typical social worker services include:
- Personal and family counselling or therapies and group work
- Service information and facilitated referral or linking to relevant services
- Service coordination or care management
- Advocacy with individuals, families and particularly people experiencing social disadvantage.
How are social workers qualified?
In order to practise, social workers must meet the following requirements:
- Complete a four year undergraduate degree or a two year Master’s degree accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers
- Complete continuing professional development
- Meet requirements set out by the Association of Social Workers to comply with the Code of Ethics and Practice Standards
- Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (AMHSW) have acquired additional specialist training and skills in assisting people with diagnosed mental health conditions.
Social work is a self-regulated profession which is in the process of seeking national registration.
Further information
For more detailed information about social work, please visit the Australian Association of Social Workers website.
NIISQ (National Injury Insurance Scheme)
Supported Pathways are an organisation delivering support or services to a NIISQ participant.
The National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIISQ) is a no-fault Scheme which provides eligible people with necessary and reasonable treatment, care and support, in some cases for their lifetime.
Anyone who experiences serious personal injuries as a result of a motor vehicle accident in Queensland, on or after 1 July 2016, may be eligible to receive support from NIISQ.
Each NIISQ participant’s needs are different, depending on their injury and circumstances.
To meet those needs, NIISQ work collaboratively with a number of different service providers, such as:
- medical practitioners
- allied health professionals and other rehabilitation service providers
- attendant care providers
- home, vehicle and workplace modification providers
- IT software and service suppliers
- professional services/consultants.
Service providers play a key role in the delivery of NIISQ, providing services that will ensure participants receive necessary and reasonable treatment, care and support.
NIISQ are committed to working closely with service providers as one team to facilitate the best outcomes for participants.