8.1.7.10 Guidelines for Social Worker Involvement

Summary

This topic explains the following:

• social worker involvement,
• who should be referred to a social worker, and
• who should be offered a referral to a social worker.

Social worker involvement

Claims for the majority of benefits/payments do NOT require the involvement of a social worker. However when social worker involvement is required in the claim process, it is usually for the assessment of a recipient's circumstances.

Social workers are available in DHS Service Centres and Smart Centres to:

• assist recipients who may be in crisis or presenting with more complex needs,
• provide professional assessments and interventions in relation to income support entitlements, recipient safety, wellbeing and needs,
• exercise delegations for YA independent status based on the Unreasonable to Live at Home provisions, and for a number of exemption categories under the CSS, and
• provide professional assessments to assist with determinations as specified in the Guide to Social Security Law.

Who should be referred to a social worker?

The following recipients should be referred to a DHS social worker:

• recipients presenting at risk of suicide or self-harm,
• recipients aged under 16 years,
• young people aged under 18 years who are unable to live at home because of severe family breakdown, abuse or other exceptional circumstances,
• recipients who are claiming a payment in respect of a child who is considered to be 'at risk of harm',
• recipients claiming CP and/or CA who are:
  • under the age of 18 years, or
  • 80 years of age or older.

Who should be OFFERED a referral to a social worker?

The following recipients should be offered a referral to a DHS social worker:

• Recipients presenting with multiple and complex needs, with particular priority given to:
  • young people without adequate support,
  • recipients who are experiencing or are at risk of family and domestic violence,
  • recipients who have safety concerns in regards to seeking maintenance action,
  • recipients presenting with complex or acute mental health concerns.