Embedding a strengths based approach in client conversations:  

This resource supports staff to use a strength based approach when engaging and working with clients. Focusing on an individual’s strengths and resources, recognising people’s autonomy and empowering people to make choices and design solutions that are right for them are all important parts of person centred care. 

The resource provides an overview of what a strength based approach is, looks at practical strategies to implement the approach and provides examples of strength based questions.

Goal Directed Care Planning Toolkit

Practical strategies to support effective goal setting and care planning with clients.

Building Culturally Inclusive Social Support Groups

There may not always be Social Support Groups available for every language or cultural group and there will always be people who wish to join an SSG that is not CALD specific. Building culturally inclusive SSGs has multiple benefits to the group, participants and for wider community cohesion.

Connecting the Pieces

The video (and accompanying Guide) looks at the unique aspects of diversity and person centred care, the relationship between these approaches and how they influence each other and the need for diversity and person centred care to be understood throughout the continuum of the  client’s journey.

The Consumer Feedback Toolkit

supports agencies to develop and implement effective consumer feedback systems.  The Toolkit contains practical advice, tools and strategies to assist staff to design, plan and implement consumer feedback strategies appropriate for a diverse range of clients.

The Support Loop

is a resource that provides an approach for improving monitoring and feedback communication systems for services delivered in the home or in a social support setting.

Engaging respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients DVD

Is a training tool created to support organisations to engage respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.

As identified in ASM and Diversity plans, organisations continue to seek innovative and accessible ways to support training, upskilling and information sharing for staff working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.  This short 12 minute DVD provides some insights and guidance around respectful engagement and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients in their homes.

Planned Activity Groups - Making it Meaningful

Describes the practice required for service specific assessment and care planning for Planned Activity Groups. The guidelines include examples to promote person centred, individualised approaches.

The Inclusive Language Guide

The Department of Premier and Cabinet has developed this resource to provide guidance to the Victorian Public Sector regarding appropriate language that can also be used by external organisations.  The guide addresses issues including confusion about the acronym ‘LGBTI’ and the differences between sexual orientation, sex and gender identity. This guide can be used by those working with and for LGBTI communities. It is important to note that people may have different preferences about what term is appropriate. In case of doubt it is recommended to ask people what their preferred terms are.

Connecting Through Inclusive Communication
Practices Resource

Contains information, tools and good practice examples that you can use with your staff, volunteers and consumers to develop new communication material or when reviewing existing communication material.  It focuses on the use of inclusive language and communication practices that are meaningful and relevant to potential and current consumers of your service.

Social Support: Dementia Friendly Checklist 
(Uniting AgeWell)

Checklist  for all social support programs with best practice approaches to support group participants living with dementia, their carers and staff.

Planned Activity Group Pathways

A guide to implementing an ASM approach to PAG (2nd edition).

Enabling the use of easy living equipment for everyday activities

Guidelines and training package (MAV)

Commonwealth Home Support Program Manual
(CHSP) 2018

The CHSP Program Manual 2018 has been revised to reflect the most current information and the CHSP operational requirements for service providers delivering services under the new CHSP grant agreements from 1 July 2018.

It also includes a new chapter on implementing wellness and reablement approaches in the CHSP

Living well at home: CHSP Good Practice Guide
June 2015

This guide provides examples of good practice and draws on the communications, capacity building and training products that have been developed over a number of years in all jurisdictions and overseas. (Taken from CHSP manual).

The Eating for Independence Toolkit 

The Eating for Independence Toolkit is a complete training package for use by Dietitian delivering education on nutrition in older people who live in the community. It includes a Dietitian’s Training Guide & accompanying Participant Workbook. The target audience for participants is anyone working with older people living in the community. This project was funded by the Hume Region  Department of Health and Human Services and developed  by Hume Region of Victoria, Home and Community Care Dietitian’s 2015.

For more information and to order a copy of the toolkit please contact:
Chadia Bastin
Senior Dietitian Gateway Health 
(03) 5723 2062 
PO Box 224 Wangaratta VIC 3676

Postage & Handling to send EFI Toolkit PDF link.