Workforce

Consumer/Service User

Consumers are those people who receive care and support from kaiāwhina

Consumer is defined in the Code of Rights and the Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994 in the following ways:

‘Consumer means a health consumer or a disability services consumer; and, for the purposes of Rights 5, 6, 7(1), 7(7) to 7(10), and 10, includes a person entitled to give consent on behalf of that consumer.’ – Code of Rights, Regulation 4.

‘Disability services consumer means any person with a disability that –
‘(a) Reduces that person’s ability to function independently; and
‘(b) Means that the person is likely to need support for an indefinite period.’ – Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994, s.2.

‘Health consumer includes any person on or in respect of whom any health care procedure is carried out.’ – Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994, s. 2.

Family i.e. Whānau

Family and whānau provide key support for consumers and outcomes are enhanced when family, whānau and in many instances friends are involved in the consumer journey. Kaiāwhina and providers should consider the needs and involvement of a consumer’s family and whānau when planning and providing services.

Regulated Workforce

Regulated Workers in the Health and Disability sectors are all those professionals who are subject to regulatory requirements under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act.  For example, registered nurses; enrolled nurses; allied health professionals such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists; registered medical professionals.

Community Networks

Consumers belong to a community. Safe, healthy and vibrant communities are created when everyone participates and belongs. Communities are connected when its members actively participate in the life of the community and know how to access support and services that can help in times of need.

Policy and Settings

There are a range of policies, strategies, and action plans that the Action Plan supports and is affected by.  Please refer to the Resources page for more information.

Informal Carers and Volunteers

Informal carers are those who assist a family or whānau member or friend with the activities involved in everyday living. This may include parents of a disabled child, an older person caring for a sick partner or a younger person supporting a friend with a mental health condition.

Care and Support Workers

Care and support workers (kaiāwhina) provide assistance, support and care to people in a variety of health, disability and community settings including in their homes. Kaiāwhina are integral members of the interprofessional health and disability support team.

Care and Support Workers For Complex Needs

These are kaiāwhina who have completed higher levels of health and wellbeing or whānau ora qualifications. This might include diversional therapists, screeners, mental health support workers, allied health care assistant etc.

Specialists, Coordinators and Leaders

Specialists, coordinators and leaders are senior workers or workers who are trained in specialist areas, such as child protection, advocacy, sensory impairment etc. This group also includes those kaiāwhina who are in line management/supervisory roles and who have completed learning in business management.

Kaiāwhina Worker

Kaiāwhina is the over-arching term to describe non-regulated roles in the health and disability sector. Kaiāwhina undertake a wide range of care and support positions in community and residential settings. The term does not replace specific role titles some of which are depicted in the word cloud below.