Standard 9: Integration and partnership

People and their families and carers are recognised by mental health practitioners as being part of a wider community, and mental health services are viewed as one element in a wider service network. Practitioners support the provision of coordinated and integrated care across programs, sites and services.

The mental health practitioner:

Between agencies

1. Develops and applies a current local knowledge of other service providers and their roles, and works with the person, families and carers to make appropriate referrals
2. In partnership with the person, identifies important issues that require collaboration and integration of care from different agencies, for example, accommodation
3. Demonstrates current knowledge of service access criteria, procedures and protocols for partner agencies, including approximate waiting times
4. Communicates effectively with other organisations and service providers including advocating on behalf of people, carers and families
5. Obtains and documents required consent where applicable to share information with other agencies
6. Coordinates or participates in interagency case conferences and fosters networks
7. As identified in collaboration with the person, promotes access to physical health care, and other identified services, including general practitioners and the wider primary healthcare sector
8. Demonstrates skills in negotiating a complex service network on behalf of people, families and carers

Within an agency or team

9. Contributes discipline-specific skills and knowledge to interdisciplinary team practice
10. Participates in interdisciplinary case conferences including partner agencies and other key stakeholders
11. Demonstrates respect for team members, recognising diversity may exist between and within professions in approaches to mental health practice
12. Communicates effectively across disciplinary and professional boundaries, using language that can be understood by all members of the interdisciplinary team
13. Identifies important issues for and with the person, for example, physical, occupational or spiritual needs that require collaboration or integration of care from different disciplines within the team
14. Involves other team members in care and support for the person, family and carer where appropriate
15. Supports the integrity of team practice by collaborating in decision making, following team processes and sharing team responsibilities
16. Clearly articulates their professional expertise and contribution to the team or service while valuing the person's lived experience