Case Study: Abdul is a 40year old man, who arrived in Australia from a Middle Eastern country as an asylum seeker by boat, then spent two and a half years in a detention centre before being settled in the Australian community on a humanitarian visa. Abdul speaks fluent English, is now an Australian citizen and is on a Disability Support Pension for a chronic pain condition and depression.

Abdul has no relatives or friends in Australia, lives alone and goes out rarely except to Medical or Health appointments. Abdul is being treated by a Chronic Pain clinic which incorporates (Physiotherapy, Psychiatry and Psychology) and his General Practitioner.

As a volunteer home visiting coordinator, you were referred Abdul to provide him with a volunteer for social support and some community access. Two volunteers have previously been allocated to Abdul but have both returned to the office after each visiting him for one month telling you that they are unable to continue. The volunteers state that they are unable to continue because though Abdul`s presentation is polite, well-mannered, and welcoming they find his chronic pain, discomfort, and sadness overwhelming, and it makes them feel sad and depressed. The volunteers say they feel that Abdul often appears very upset and distressed when he has been watching the plight of other asylum seekers on the news.

Questions:

1. What are the legal and ethical considerations in this scenario?
2. Describe at least two (2) specific trauma needs of Abdul and how it is impacting on Abdul?
3. Describe how you would apply the key principles and practices of trauma informed care while working with Abdul?
4. Discuss how you would promote an environment that promotes safety, trust, choice, and control for Abdul.
5. When Abdul becomes stressed, distressed, or overwhelmed, discuss how you would respond using trauma informed principles. In your response, consider how you would prevent traumatisation or re-traumatisation?
6. Outline two (2) strategies that would help Abdul cope with and manage the impact of trauma?
7. What are two (2) strategies that could be introduced to Indigo Community Services and Health Hub to create safety for the volunteers and workers and reduce the risk of vicarious trauma?
8. Your service is unable to accommodate all the needs of Abdul. Research one specialist trauma support service that you could refer Abdul to and why? How will you encourage Abdul to self-advocate?
9. Make a list of five (5) self-care activities that you could do. as a worker or volunteer?