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Assessment of Core Competency Status and Work Environment of Residential Mental Health Support Workers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 February 2012

Niall Morrison  and
Kevin Ronan
Niall Morrison*
Affiliation:
Massey University, New Zealand
Kevin Ronan
Affiliation:
Massey University, New Zealand
*
PO Box 337, Hastings, New Zealand, Email: niall.morrison@corrections.govt.nz
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Abstract

The present study explored the current competency status of New Zealand residential mental health support workers (n = 121). Competency was assessed through the domains of skills, attitudes and perception of the work environment. Consistent with a recovery model, the National Mental Health Workforce Development Coordinating Committee (1999) put forward 10 basic core competencies that they recommended that all mental health workers should be able to demonstrate in their work practice. Skills and attitudes self-report measures were developed to assess participant performance on these competencies. In addition, a standard measure, the Ward Atmosphere Scale (Moos, 1996), was utilised to evaluate the perceived atmosphere of the participants' work environment. The aggregated results of this study appeared to show that participants were generally competent in a number of areas of work practice. However, deficiencies in critical areas of client support were identified on closer examination of the data. While superior education and training did appear to influence performance on certain competencies, some deficiencies were nevertheless reported by the more highly educated and trained participants. In addition, participants generally characterised their work settings in a negative manner such that it appears that many settings are not adhering to the philosophies of rehabilitation and recovery. Despite the identification of specific deficiencies, many participants did demonstrate a number of competencies combined with an encouraging commitment to professional growth.

Type
Articles
Information
The Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling , Volume 8 , Issue 2 , January 2002 , pp. 114 - 126
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2002

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