ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø

Purpose

• Many of the major threats to youth health and wellbeing are psychosocial. Youth health and wellbeing (YHW) assessment provides opportunity to identify and provide early intervention for health issues.
• The guideline supports a consistent approach to psychosocial YHW assessments of young people (aged 12-24) across health settings in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.
• The guideline aligns with the commitment to provide evidence-based and responsive care to young people set out in the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Youth Health Framework 2017-2024 (PD2017_019).

Implementation

• The audience is all clinicians caring for young people (12-24 years old) in a paediatric, adolescent or adult healthcare setting in hospitals or the community.
• In general, a YHW assessment (12-24 years old) should be conducted with every young person who attends a health service or hospital.
• Where appropriate young people admitted to an adult or paediatric service should have a YHW assessment completed in conjunction with other screening assessment/admission processes.

What is the YHW assessment tool?

• The guideline focuses on the HEEADSSS assessment as a means of conducting a YHW assessment.
• The HEEADSSS assessment tool is used widely in Australia and internationally.
• The YHW assessment is not a diagnostic tool. It is a holistic, flexible approach designed to build rapport and engage with a young person in a clinical setting.
• Information gathered can be used to directly address any concerns and/or refer a young person for a specialist response.

The HEEADSSS domains

HEEADSS covers the domains of:

• H – home
• E – education and employment
• E – eating and exercise
• A – activities, hobbies and peer relationships
• D – drug use, cigarettes and alcohol
• S – sexual activity and sexuality
• S – suicide, depression, self harm
• S – safety

Clinical judgement

• Clinical judgement should be used to determine the appropriateness of the assessment for 12-24 year olds.
• This includes considering the young person’s
• health condition
• maturity
• the environment and
• health service context (for example, sufficient time or privacy may not be available in an Emergency Department context).

Culture and language

• Culture and language must always be considered.
• It is important however that the clinician does not make assumptions about behaviours based on a young person’s cultural or religious background.
• Respecting the difference – be aware of the cultural differences of Aboriginal people. Refer to your local Aboriginal liaison officer or for further information see ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health Communicating positively – A guide to appropriate Aboriginal terminology.

YHW assessment options

The preferred options for clinicians when conducting a YHW assessment in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health are:

1. face-to-face interview with a focus on some or all of the HEEADSSS domains as needed and/or
2. young person completes the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health approved State-wide Health Form YHW Assessment Chart. This should then be reviewed by a clinician and have appropriate follow-up discussion and action.

YHW Assessment Chart (Appendix 1)

Copies of this  ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health approved chart can be ordered through the local health district/specialty health network Print Manager.

• Pages 1-3 are for young people to complete
• Page 4 is for staff to complete

When handing out the chart:

• Use clinical judgement to assess appropriateness for those under 14 years old and young people with a disability as they may require support to complete the chart
• Explain confidentiality to young people or/and provide the We keep it zipped wallet-sized card* to young people if needed
• Let young people know that they may ask for support/help to complete the chart if required

* The We keep it zipped wallet-sized card is a youth friendly confidentiality resource for young people listed on the resources for workers and young people (Appendix 3 and 4)

Upon completion of YHW Assessment

• Review the assessment and/or self-completed Chart
• Follow up with young people if any concerns about their health and wellbeing have been identified
• Provide young people’s resources and contact handout if required
• Refer young people to the appropriate service if required
• Document any action taken and file the completed signed Chart (if applicable) according to your local records system

Use of the guideline - summary

• This guideline should be followed when providing a service to young people (12 - 24 years old) who attend a health service or hospital.
• This guideline outlines the:
  • approach that should be taken by ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health staff when conducting a YHW assessment (Sections 7 - 10)
  • issues to consider when implementing the YHW assessment within different health settings and with different age groups (Sections 11 - 12)
• A range of resources for workers are available to support YHW assessment when needed (Appendices 1 - 4).

Resources to support YHW assessments

• Training and development for workers (Appendix 2)
• Resource for workers (Appendix 3)
  This can be printed to keep in the clinic/service for staff members’ reference when required
• Youth health resources and contacts for young people (Appendix 4)
  This can be printed to provide to young people if required

Questions

• Do we have a list of local services?
• If so, where can we find it?
• If not, do we need to compile one?