What social workers do
Social workers provide expert support to patients and families, looking at both medical and social factors to help improve overall wellbeing. They use a holistic approach, focusing on the person’s physical, emotional, and social needs.
Social work is defined by the International Federation of Social Workers as:
“A practice-based profession that promotes social change, development, and the empowerment of people. It focuses on social justice, human rights, and respect for diversity.”
Social workers follow a Code of Ethics to guide their practice and use standards that ensure they work in a professional and ethical manner.
Areas of expertise
Social workers at the hospital specialize in the following areas:
- Child abuse and neglect
- Family, domestic and sexual violence
- Chronic health conditions including trauma and adjustment to diagnosis and disability.
- Complex / Developmental trauma
- Sexual abuse and sexual assault
- Elder and vulnerable person abuse, and exploitation
- Bereavement, grief and loss support work in order to improve coping mechanisms and psychosocial outcomes, in relation to changing life conditions (e.g. changes to capacity, transitioning to aged care facility, new diagnosis) depression, disability, suicide, sudden and traumatic death
- Providing clinical expertise regarding socio-legal issues and ethical decision making (Advance Care Directive (ACD), Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA), SACAT (Guardianship, Administrative, Special Powers)
- Family interventions and support in relation to complex psychosocial issues
- Developing culturally responsive and inclusive interventions, including the delivery of culturally sensitive, secure and safe practices in coordination with other professionals
- Counselling and therapeutic interventions – including/not limited to distress, anxiety management etc
- Provide support towards coordination of complex discharge planning including transition back to community for vulnerable long stay/complex patients (i.e. in subacute, rehab) who have significant impairments
How social workers help
Social workers provide the following services:
- Comprehensive assessments of patients’ needs
- Counselling and therapy to manage stress, anxiety, and other emotions
- Advocacy on behalf of patients
- Case management and support with coordination of care
- Information and education to patients and families
- Safety planning for high-risk situations
Core Values of Social Work
The Social Work team always focuses on:
- Your consent and wishes
- Your cultural safety
- Your right to make informed choices
- Partnership in decision-making
Support from Allied Health Assistants
The Social Work Department also employs Allied Health Assistants. These team members can help with tasks like:
- Filling out Centrelink paperwork
- Organizing housing
- Providing financial assistance
- Referring to community services
Availability of social workers
Social workers are available 7 days a week, all year round. They are available on weekends and holidays, but their hours may be limited compared to weekdays.
To request a social worker, speak to your treating team or nurse.
Social work in outpatients
Social workers also offer limited services in the outpatient setting. If you need outpatient social work support, please speak to your treating doctor or nurse.
Links
General
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Liaison Unit
- Domestic Violence Services
- SA.GOV.AU - Homelessness Gateway
- South Australian elder abuse prevention phone line
- Advance Care Directives
- Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14 - Crisis Support and Suicide Prevention
- Beyondblue
- Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia
- Advance Care Directives
- My Aged Care: Access aged care information and services
- ACAT assessment - Access aged care information and services
- Older persons mental health services
- NDIS - National Disability Insurance Scheme
- South Australia ACAT Contacts - Aged Care Guide
- South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
- Australian Association of Social Workers
Country patients
For information regarding transport assistance, including eligibility and application forms, see links below:
Accommodation options - RAH outpatients or family/carers for inpatients
Patient Assistance and Transport Schemes (PATS)