2015-06-23 I&S Agenda - Item 5 - Local Disaster Recovery Plan - Attachment 2

                            Noosa Local Disaster Recovery Plan 2015/2016

23.11 Personal support services
The term personal support services refers to the specific role within the social recovery
workforce, which provides a diverse range of practical assistance coupled with physiological
first aid for the immediate and early recovery needs of individual, families or groups of
disaster affected people.

Personal support services can be provided by a wide range of personnel from government
and non-government agencies and local communities. These personnel can be employees,
trained volunteers or trained local community members who have the capacity and
interpersonal skills to support people in distress. These personnel do not provide counselling
or psychological services but should be able to recognise people with these needs and refer
them to the appropriate service providers. These services are primarily provided and
coordinated by the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability services and are
evident in services such as evacuation and recovery centres (one-stop shops); and outreach
programs.

23.12 Practical assistance as a component of personal support services
Personal support personnel and key recovery agencies can provide, or ensure access to, a
wide range of practical assistance. Practical assistance is usually available through
evacuation and recovery centres and through outreach programs and can include:
   information about what has happened, services available and plans that are in place
   access to available communication such as telephone, satellite services, free internet
    access
   comfort and reception
   referral to other agencies
   reassurance and security
   material aid (food, water, toiletries, hygiene kits, bedding, clothing)
   time away for families (respite)
   reassurance and security
   child minding
   child/aged care services
   transport
   advocacy, legal aid, insurance
   pet care and foster care services
   support with cleanup
   meetings and forums
   assistance with funeral arrangements
   medication and medical care
   locating relatives and loved ones

23.13 Designing individual and household psychosocial support
      programs
Several issues need to be taken into account when designing and delivering personal
support services:
   the majority of people affected by the disaster will not be used to using welfare or social
    services and may find it difficult to approach, access or fully utilise emergency relief and
    recovery services

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