Latrobe Community Health Service
Family inclusive practice
within a rural setting
How do we ensure it’s measurable and
embedded in everyday practice?
Presented by Ann Hamden & Lauren Smith
LCHS Drug Treatment
Services
 Latrobe Community Health Service Limited is a major provider of primary health
and support services across the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland. Approximately
400 staff.
 LCHS aims to reduce disease and illness through prevention, health promotion
and social, physical and cultural change
 An integrated and coordinated approach to the delivery of services in
community settings at local, sub regional and regional levels.
LCHS Drug Treatment
Services
Drug Treatment Services is the lead agency for service delivery to the Gippsland
region in partnership with Bass Coat, Gippsland Southern and East Gippsland.
• Counselling
• C&R
• NRWN services
LCHS Drug Treatment
Services
LCHS DTS employs 21 staff and also provides:
• Youth Outreach
• Youth Withdrawal (Closing the Gap -funded until June 30)
• Mobile Drug Safety Worker-Early Intervention and Needle & Syringe Exchange
Program
• Koori Court Diversion
• Pharmacotherapy Area Based Network -Lead Agency for Gippsland and Hume
region
• Liverwise Program (regional)
LCHS Drug Treatment
Services
Background
Evidence suggests “interventions involving family sensitive practice increase the
number of days spent abstinent compared to those where family were involved
minimally, or not at all.” (Copello et al 2005)
Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) sector reforms focusing on families and dependent
children, posed particular challenges and gaps were identified;
• Evidence of the inclusion of families in treatment was minimal
• Staff feedback emphasised a lack of understanding of the benefits of FSP
and who constituted family –eg neighbour, friend
• Little information was being given to families from intake through to closure
Barriers
• Lack of staff with family qualifications
• Resistance of staff (eg: “Including family in ITP is not relevant”, “It’s not what
client’s want”, “Where do you draw the line between AOD worker and family
worker?”)
• Distance from Melbourne regarding access to training and supports
• Client fears that family discussions would result in automatic DHS involvement
What did we do?
Commenced Feb 2013
 Developed a policy on FSP
 Developed a leadership group to drive and support the changes
• Expressions of interest for staff to become champions
• Audited client files, looking for evidence of FSP
• Provided education to staff through Bouverie- “Keeping kids in Mind’ and ‘Short
session family work’
• Developed family information packs
• Agenda item at all clinical meetings
• Included in staff monthly report
• Data base was updated to include specific FSP prompts
• Became part of supervision
Outcomes
• 84% of staff found the training very useful
• Skillsets within DTS team have expanded
• Maintenance and persistence of AOD clinician continuing to drive changes
• Audits (July 14) show a 38% increase in the offering of and implementation of
family sessions since initiative
• Increased collaboration with other agencies- SHARC, YSAS, Headspace, MIND,
DOHS (Child protection), Child First
• Forums organised -Care Forum-‘You are Not Alone’ & SHARC conducted Family
Education Sessions
Client and staff feedback
Client feedback: “As a mother of a young person affected by drugs, this service has
been greatly appreciated by myself and has taught me not to be too harsh on myself or
my feelings…I as a member of the community would not be where I am today without
the program’s intervention and support”
Staff feedback: Family sessions have helped to provide staff with a better awareness
and understanding of the impact of substance use on client’s family/loved ones which
has promoted a more rounded and holistic treatment process
File audits: Recent file audits (Feb 2015) show that the offering, and provision, of
family sessions is now occurring with at least 60% of clients. This is a 22% increase
from July 2014 audit and significant improvement from 2012 where there was
minimal evidence (approx 5%) of family work
Where to from here?
•
Leadership Group reinvigorated
• Skillset in team continues to be increased with introduction of psychologists,
clinical and counselling
• Continue family support focus with training and updates from team portfolio
holder
• Continued auditing and data collection
• Planning for further family inclusive practice and events.
• Include Service Delivery Partners in LCHS current initiatives