Introduction

This document outlines the information required, and the expectations of a Hireup Support Worker when providing support to people with epilepsy and of the Client when seizure management is required on shift. 

This policy aims to ensure the standard of service delivery remains safe and high quality. It aims to provide guidance to support workers, outlining what duties are acceptable for them to complete and what duties are outside of the scope of a support worker. 

The seizure management strategies that are most suited to the Client is to be determined by an appropriate, registered health professional, such as a doctor. This is to be documented in an epilepsy or seizure management plan (as well as an emergency medication plan when an emergency medication is prescribed) and reviewed every 12 months or as otherwise stated by the treating health professional.

Hireup Values 

Hireup’s values provide us with the direction in which we engage with our community and develop policy and process across the business. 

We recognise that epilepsy and seizure support are only a part of a person’s overall support needs. By upholding the value of ‘the person is the point’ we take an individualised approach to epilepsy seizure support.  

Hireup acknowledges Clients and their families are experts in their individual epilepsy and seizure support. Central to this understanding is the principle of ‘championing choice’ and control for Clients to make informed decisions about their epilepsy and seizure support. Whilst Hireup is not responsible for the assessment or development of a Client’s epilepsy or seizure management plan, we support Clients to engage with suitable health professionals and to be involved in the planning and management of their epilepsy or seizure support, as well as any individual training arrangements. 

Definitions 

Support Worker: a person that provides support to the Client, typically in a paid capacity.

Seizure: normal activity of the brain is interrupted, causing the neurons to fire rapidly. 

Epilepsy: a neurological disorder characterised by recurrent, unpredictable seizures.

Epilepsy or Seizure Management Plan: a document that outlines for service users:

• Communication preferences
• Seizure types, frequency and patterns of seizures
• Seizure triggers (if known)
• Changes in behaviour that may indicate a seizure could occur
• Monitoring and recording of seizures
• Support required during a seizure
• Details such as timing, dosage and administration of emergency medication (a separate emergency medication management plan is also required)
• Specific post-seizure support
• Risks/safety alerts to look for and action required to respond to risks, troubleshooting or emergencies 

Emergency Medication Plan (such as a Midazolam Authority Form): a document that outlines for service users:

• Emergency medication used
• Administration method (such as buccal, intranasal)
• First dose of medication
• Second dose of medication
• Maximum number of doses to be given in a 24-hour period
• When to call an ambulance
• What to do after administration of emergency medication
• Storage of emergency medication

Guidelines

Service Provider

As a service provider, Hireup will:

• Work with the Client (or their Account Manager where applicable) to determine the support they require from Hireup, and determine what documentation is required.
• Determine areas of epilepsy or seizure support that are within the scope of practice for a Support Worker to provide.
• Regularly review the epilepsy or seizure management plan to ensure the information provided is the most up to date and appropriate.
• Provide Support Workers with written procedures for the Provision of Epilepsy Management, in conjunction with the Client (or their Account Manager where applicable) and their treating Health Professional.
• Ensure Support Workers have access to support plans and ensure these plans are only updated by a registered and relevant health professional.
• Identify areas of education and training for Support Workers.
• Provide Support Workers with appropriate training and assessment to ensure the safe provision of bowel care, including regular supervision. 

Support Worker

A Support Worker MAY:

• Perform any task that is listed on the plan. If concerned or unsure, talk to the Client (or their Account Manager where applicable), and contact the Hireup support office for support.
• Access supervision outside of scheduled supervision timeframes by contacting Hireup directly.

A Support Worker MUST: 

• Complete online training modules provided by Hireup within the allocated time frame unless otherwise specified by Hireup.
• Report any changes or issues to the person, their account manager (where appropriate) and/or Hireup for further guidance
• Follow the support plan as provided and raise any concerns with the Client (or their Account Manager where applicable) immediately, as well as notify Hireup.
• NOT change any part of the plan or deviate from the plan provided.
• Report any issues or concerns arising from the delivery of epilepsy or seizure management support (such as increase or changes in seizure activity or presentation) to the Client, (or their Account Manager where applicable) and/or their health professional immediately, followed by an incident report to Hireup once safe to do so.
• Call emergency services before administering emergency medication (such as Midazolam) or as outlined on the emergency medication plan, or in response to respiratory distress or the Client becoming unresponsive.
• Document the use of Midazolam as per the Client’s personal record keeping and submit an incident report to Hireup.
• Have up to date First Aid knowledge and techniques to check and clear airways, place a Client in the recovery position and administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Identify any gaps in knowledge and report these to Hireup for further advice.

Clients

A client MUST:

• Provide Hireup with an honest and accurate account of their support needs.
• Provide a support plan to Hireup that outlines their specific epilepsy or seizure support requirements, completed by an appropriate, registered health professional.
• Have the plan reviewed by an appropriate, registered health professional when changes occur. At a minimum, the plan should be reviewed every 12 months unless otherwise indicated on the plan.
• Advise Hireup of any changes to support needs, requirements or the epilepsy or seizure support plan.
• Store emergency seizure medication (such as Midazolam) as per pharmacy instructions.
• Report any concerns regarding Support Worker’s capability in providing epilepsy or seizure support to Hireup for further advice.