An analysis of the skills and knowledge base for needs assessment and service coordination : a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Date
2002
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Massey University
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Abstract
This research analysed the skills and knowledge base of the Needs Assessor and Service
Coordinator (NASC), a new role created by the Health and Disability Act (1993). The
purpose of this role as stated in the Act was to try to ensure that the services offered to the
disability community were not only sensitive to their needs, but also appropriate and of
acceptable quality (Ministry of Health, 1993). -In the seven years that this role has been in
existence, much work has been done by both the Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) and
its successor the Health Funding Authority (HF A) in defining acceptable standards for
service delivery, (Ministry of Health, 1994) however little research has been carried out to
determine what the skill base should consist of to meet those standards. Each region
delivers this service differently, and there appears to be enough anecdotal evidence to
suggest that there is a wide variation in the standard of service delivered to consumers. The
issue of training has largely been met by internal means, rather than through a national
qualification.
Two focus group meetings were conducted with NASC workers and in-depth interviews
were held with six consumers in the 16 to 64 age group. One group of workers provided a
service to older people, (over 65 years) and the other group provided a service primarily to
the adult population, but did include two assessors who worked with older people (16 to 64,
and 65+ ). The questions asked in the workers' groups were to determine what skills they
identified as being important to their role, whether their prior training was sufficient for the
role, and what training they considered they needed for the role. From the consumers'
interviews I asked for their perceptions as to the necessary skills for providing a needs
assessment and for coordinating services, and compared the differences between the
groups. The data was analysed under five headings, allowing for elucidation of the key
findings. These headings were: assessment skills, service coordination skills, concepts of
need, user participation, and professional knowledge base. The data showed that
assessments by health professionals, (who make up the majority of those employed as
NASCs), are client-centred and inclusive, and indicated that the concept of partnership
building was understood. However, the data also showed that the more sophisticated skills
of conflict management, negotiation with providers and coaching were emerging as the role
continued to evolve and develop. It also showed that knowledge based around disability
issues was emerging across disciplines. The final discussion considered the role of training
in light of these findings.
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Keywords
Social case work, People with disabilities, Social work