Client Independence Skills Services
An overview for health professionals
A Client Independence Skills Service (CISS) is a time-limited and goal-directed skill development service. Its aim is to increase a client’s independence and reduce their reliance on formal supports by providing targeted input to learn or relearn a skill. Support is holistic and based on the needs and circumstances of the client.
Who is CISS for?
CISS is suitable for clients who have:
- active life area goals and want to develop their skills and gain independence
- attendant care related to assistance with life areas
What does CISS provide?
CISS uses a goal- and skill-directed, client-centered approach to develop independence with activities of daily living (ADL), personal wellbeing, budgeting and finance and community integration. CISS workers are experienced in the type of support required to help clients develop skills.
The service is targeted, skill-specific and time-limited (up to 12 weeks). Repetitive practice maximises skill retention.
How will CISS assist?
Clients may experience difficulties achieving their Independence goals and may benefit from a period of practice and repetition provided by qualified CISS workers to develop specific skills.
CISS providers work with clients to deliver a goal-directed approach, with plenty of opportunity for practice, to help clients realise their independence goals.
CISS helps reduce a client's reliance on attendant care and encourages them to achieve their goals by becoming more independent with their ADL, personal wellbeing and community integration.
How do I know if CISS is suitable?
CISS could be a suitable service for your patient if they have:
- identified goals relating to Personal Activities of Daily Living (PADL), Domestic Activities of Daily Living (DADL), community access or finance and budgeting
- the ability to achieve goals, but would benefit from one-on-one or group-based skill development
How will CISS benefit the person?
Support provided via CISS may assist a client to:
- achieve Independence goals
- reduce reliance on attendant care or gratuitous care for community participation and ADLs
- increase community participation
- foster a positive environment of support that empowers them to achieve greater independence
What does the service model look like?
Services will be delivered over a 12-week period. In consultation with the treating team, the provider will develop a training program that includes the client's SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely) that are consistent with their Independence Plan's pre-defined outcomes.
The program must use a model of supported repetitive functional task practice.
How do I refer?
Any member of the client's treating team can request a referral to the service. Contact your client's TAC support coordinator to discuss the service and how to refer.
How will it change the way I work?
CISS will not necessarily change the way you work. It is an additional service option for you to consider as part of working with the client to achieve independence and facilitate goal achievement.
The service provider will maintain regular contact with you as the treater and the TAC to ensure the program can be effectively implemented and that the client is making progress towards the desired goal.
You may need to evaluate the outcome of the service at the end of the intervention (end of the 12-week period) and provide advice in relation to any changes to the client’s service needs as a result of the service. Any requested extension needs to be clinically justified and approved by the TAC.
