Food and housing needs counselling — communication OSCE

Objectives

1. Ask about food and housing needs without shame or blame. [16]
2. Explain a positive Hunger Vital Sign and why action is needed even if the child is not thin. [1] [5]
3. Check tonight’s safe sleep/housing plan and medical sequelae. [4]
4. Offer a closed-loop referral with a named next step and follow-up. [1]

Candidate brief

12-minute station. Caregiver of a well-appearing 2-year-old is present. Screening form shows both Hunger Vital Sign items affirmative. Rent is late. [5]

Expected actions

• Open with universal framing: many families worry about food and rent; asking is part of good care. [16]
• Confirm privacy and use non-judgemental language. [16]
• Interpret positive screen; avoid body-size false reassurance. [1] [5]
• Ask housing domains: affordability, moves/eviction, quality, crowding, safe place tonight. [4]
• Review growth, diet/iron risk, development, immunisations, caregiver wellbeing. [1]
• Offer concrete help this week and name who will connect the family. [1]
• Teach-back: caregiver restates the food plan and the follow-up plan. [1]
• If no safe place tonight, escalate social work/housing same day. [4]

Marking

Pass: non-stigmatising screen interpretation, housing safety check, concrete closed-loop help, follow-up plan. [1] [4]
Fail: shaming; equating normal weight with no problem; screening with no help offered; ignoring unsafe housing tonight. [5] [16]