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GM:Gambling Matters put the following questions to Gary Morris, Intake Worker for Gambler’s Help Southern.
What does being Intake Worker actually mean?
The intake worker provides a single point of contact for the service. The role of intake is to undertake an initial assessment, register the client and to arrange appointments with counsellors and financial counsellors. In addition the intake worker managers the waiting list for the service.
What sort of qualifications and experience have you brought to the position?
I have a B.A in Social Science and a B.A in Social Work.
I have been a Social Worker for the past 10 years working in the areas of Forensic Mental Health, Mental Health, Corrections and Information Management Systems.
The Electronic Diary System sounds "hi-tech" and impressive…how does it work?
The electronic diary system is an open source web based calendar system originally developed for project management. The intake worker is able to view each individual counsellor’s appointments, while counsellors can only see their own calendar. Counsellors and financial counsellors have a set amount of appointments per week. Available appointment slots are allocated by counsellors and subsequently filled by the intake worker. Counsellors are able to call intake if they are ill and clients are subsequently notified of appointment cancellations.
Intake highlights for 2003?
The fact that I survived 2003.
Introduction of the web based calendar.
The support provided by colleagues and management.
Challenges?
The demand for service and subsequent growth in waiting lists…
You have contact with all new clients. Are there any trends or themes you’ve noticed, or is every caller’s situation so individual that you can’t generalise?
The majority of clients seeking assistance are experiencing difficulties with electronic gaming machines. Every caller's situation is individual however from time to time trends do emerge. Over the past 4 months people have presented as more desperate regarding their financial circumstances. Over the past two months there has been a noticeable increase in younger people referring themselves to the service.
Gambler’s Help Southern Intake can be contacted for all appointments and enquiries on 9575 5353
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