ODL 432: Caregiver Assessment as a Safety Protocol (Not a Courtesy)

Created On:  8/6/2026                   

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, psychologists, counselors, nurses and case managers.

Instructional Level:

Beginner

Overview:

This training examines caregiver assessment as an essential component of risk management and client safety within discharge planning, care transitions, and referral decision-making. Participants will review evidence-informed indicators of caregiver strain, capacity, and readiness, and learn how to operationalize a standardized caregiver assessment workflow to reduce preventable breakdowns in home placement. 

The training emphasizes practical application: developing a caregiver readiness scoring approach, matching assessed capacity to appropriate level-of-care recommendations, navigating respite and supportive service options, using boundary-setting to clarify roles and reduce caregiver burnout, and producing clear, objective documentation that supports continuity of care and ethically defensible decisions. Content is presented in an instructional, competency-based format aligned with professional practice standards for behavioral health and social work settings.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session, the participant will be able to:

• Identify at least three caregiver risk indicators that predict elevated likelihood of unsuccessful home placement during care transitions.
• Apply a standardized caregiver assessment workflow to generate a caregiver readiness score.
• Differentiate appropriate discharge/referral pathways.
• Demonstrate documentation strategies by writing objective, behaviorally specific notes that summarize caregiver assessment findings and support level-of-care recommendations.

Presenter:

Sara J. English, PhD, LMSW, CPG, and Associate Professor of Social Work at Winthrop University

Dr. English is an Associate Professor of Social Work and the faculty advisor for the Gerontology Minor Program at Winthrop University. She is a Certified Gerontology Professional (CPG) and AGE-SW fellow, and has presented her research at local, national, and international venues, including at the University of Bath and the University of Iceland, as well as in South Africa and New Zealand. She serves as the NASW-SC representative to the Alzheimer’s Advisory Board for the South Carolina Lieutenant Governor’s Office on Aging and was recognized by the NASW-SC as the Social Work Educator of the Year for 2022. Dr. English is the faculty representative for Phi Alpha social work honor society and serves as president of Winthrop’s chapter of Phi Kappa Phi national honor society. 

Dr. English studies the power of non-familial relationships among staff and residents of institutional settings. Dr. English also explores how simple mindfulness practices can enhance mental health and well-being, and was selected as Winthrop University’s Thompson Scholar for the academic year 2023-2024, creating a student-focused mindfulness program. She is passionate about utilizing the arts and mindfulness practices to enhance the lives of older persons and those who love them.