2018-04-10 S&O Agenda - Attachment 1 to Item 4 - Local Disaster Recovery Subplan

Community leaders and other key members of the community can be trained in the principles
and delivery of psychological first aid to ensure that an appropriate response is immediately
available within the community and to allow community members to work alongside emergency
support workers to manage community needs. Under the current Queensland State Disaster
Management Plan, Lifeline Community Care Queensland is a key agency involved in the
community recovery process and has been delegated the lead agency in the provision of
psychological first aid following a disaster event.

7.1.3   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 individuals, 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 and are evident in services such as evacuation and recovery hubs
and outreach programs.

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 hubs 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 and aged care services
 Transport
 Advocacy, legal aid, insurance
 Pet care and foster care services
 Support with clean-up
 Meetings and forums
 Assistance with funeral arrangements
 Medication and medical care
 Locating relatives and loved ones

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
 Some people may need specialist support that is not readily available or may require a
   complex mix of services to meet their needs

Noosa Local Disaster Recovery Subplan 2018                                                Page 42