Writing reports and presenting the data
Question:
Is it best to scan the 4.2 pages from Book 2 straight into the report or use your reporting structure and input relevant information?
Response:
I do not recommend that you photocopy or directly copy information from the book. The information you have included is from a report that I have done at some point about a specific consumer as an example.
A description of the Level.Mode can be included. I often take that straight from the book but check that it makes sense in the context for that person and adjust if needed.
Question:
Use of headings in a report.
I can see there is a Can Do, Will Do, May Do, Support Needs and Areas of Concern areas in your report structure but these subheadings and information do not seem to directly align with the subheadings in Book 2. Please can you clarify?
Response:
‘Will Do’ can vary according to context but is really about the values and background of the person you are assessing. It can include cultural, religious and social factors that shape the person’s beliefs and values. It may relate to the reason you are doing the report, e.g., where the person is to be discharged to – here you may talk about their ideas about living alone or wanting a SIL or living with family, the need to have a pet. You want to keep it brief and relevant in most cases. In MH or NDIS you might refer to the goals of the person e.g. employment or recovery.
‘May Do’ can encompass two things. You may wish to mention the supports the person is currently receiving and the impact on the person if they are lost, e.g., in the NDIS there may be an impact if funding is lost. There may have been a change in circumstance such as death of a spouse or parent. You may also wish to include guidance about how support should be delivered to provide the Best Fit to support occupational engagement or to meet goals or eliminate problematic behaviour.
In the end, you structure the report to achieve the goal of writing the report. These are suggested headings. There are no rules about what they should be. However, you do need to include considerations about Will Do and May Do as these are important factors in determining occupational or functional performance.
Use of Resources
Question:
As part of the workshop resources, you shared some sample reports. I was wondering if I could adapt these to create a report template specific to our setting and organisation? We would primarily use similar headings to guide the report and ensure that we note where the report has been adapted from. I would be happy to send you the draft template once completed for you to review.
Response:
I run report writing workshops. There are also templates available on our website Workshop Participant Resources - Google Drive You will need to register as a workshop participant on this website to access it. I am happy to look over your draft template and provide feedback when you are ready.