Real-Life Communication
As a residential counselor in a halfway house, you are required
to document every incident that happens. During the course of a week, you
write many reports. When a new resident comes to the halfway house, you do
an intake form.
Every week, you do an evaluation report of every resident
on your caseload. You also write reports on incidents that occur during the
week. Even small things that seem trivial must be recorded accurately. The
team must keep in touch with everything that goes on in the halfway house.
If
you do not record something that happens today, the counselors who work this
evening and tomorrow will not be aware of things that they should know about.
Moreover,
if any harm comes to a resident, or if a resident gets in trouble of some
sort, their file must contain complete information about their life at the
residence.
When you write your reports, the important thing is to document
facts clearly so other people will know exactly what has transpired. You must
give your reasons for any decisions made, and you must date and sign your
reports.
Today Mary, one of the residents, approaches you and asks
if you will extend her curfew tonight for one hour. She is expecting visitors
from out of town and she wants to go out to dinner and a movie with them.
She will not get back to the halfway house in time.
You consider Mary's
question. Then you tell her that you cannot approve the late pass. Mary is
a new resident to your center and she is still under observation. Only residents
who have been at the center for three weeks are given permission to stay out
late.
Mary is very angry and storms out crying. She slams the door
loudly and runs to her room. She refuses to come out when you ask her if she
wants to talk to you about what has happened, but screams curses at you through
the door.
Your shift is over. You must report the incident in a file.
Write your report here.