Applying the reliability criteria
The reliability questions are 4 questions that should be applied to every decision. This ensures consistency in the decision-making approach.
The reliability criteria which must be adhered to for every client are:
- safely
- timely – within a reasonable time period
- acceptable standard and
- repeatedly
If an individual cannot complete an activity in the way described in a descriptor in accordance with the reliability criteria, then they should be considered unable to complete it at that level, and a higher descriptor should be considered appropriate.
Example: apply the reliability criteria
Application form
Gavin tells us that due to pain from his lumbago, he requires aids to enable him to get in and out of the shower. He states that he bathes four times a week and uses a long-handled brush to wash his lower limbs, as trying to bend makes his pain worse. By using the long-handled brush, he is able to wash all over. He reports that he does not have any safety issues when bathing.
Case manager actions
The case manager considers descriptor B for daily living component activity 4 (washing and bathing) which is where an individual needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to wash or bathe.
This is because the above statement meets the requirements for:
- safety (no reported safety issues)
- acceptable standard (he can wash all over with the use of an aid)
- repeatedly (he is able to bathe four times a week)
Consider a different descriptor
However, he goes on to describe that it takes him around 40 minutes to bathe due to having to move slowly because of his pain levels. The case manager decides that Gavin no longer meets the “timely – within a reasonable time period” reliability standard, so a higher descriptor needs to be considered.