Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.


Understanding ofroles and impact of fathersmay include but is not limited to:
Understanding that fathering and the roles of fathers are as unique and varied as there are fathers
Recognising that fathers can bring with them a range of fathering roles both conceptually and in practice
Understanding a number of current and relevant theoretical frameworks regarding roles for men and their potential impact on roles of fathers, e.g.
theoretical frameworks which view the nature of men as fixed
theoretical frameworks which view the nature of men as dynamic, learned and changeable
attachment theory
family systems theory
feminist theory (and critiques of feminist theory)
family life-cycle theory
generative fatherhood
evolutionary psychology
neurobiology
Recognition of the impact on identity that fatherhood can have on men
Recognition of the roles fathers are assumed to have in children's lives
Recognition that parenting is a practice and not a biological function
Fathers may be:
birth fathers
step fathers
foster fathers
non-biological fathers
uncles
grandfathers
carers
Fathering includes the establishment of a relationship between the father and child
Where fathers/a father figure play/s an active role in their children's lives this can have positive outcomes on the development of literacy, numeracy and social skills, self-esteem and the development of resilience in both boys and girls


Experience, knowledge and skills fathers bring to their fathering may include but is not limited to:
The ability and will to commit to the physical and ongoing support that a father provides and the involvement with the child/ren throughout their lives
The capacity to make day to day decisions for the child/children that meet the children's needs
The ability to care about and attend to the important transitions in a child's life and work to provide the optimal conditions to maximise their growth
The ability to change and adapt as children grow older and the fathers mature in their relationship with their children
The ability to create resources for material well being and the resolution of problems that allow opportunities for the development of emotional well being
The ability to form lasting and healthy attachments with their children which can grow and change over time
The capacity to relate with children by sharing meaningfully with them, both verbally and non-verbally
Understanding of developmental needs of children including social, emotional, cognitive, physical and psychological needs
Ways fathers can actively contribute to the developmental needs of child/ren
Factors which can negatively impact on the establishment and maintenance of positive relationships with child/children including self limiting concepts that may hold men back from achieving their full potential as fathers


Key issuesfacing fathers experiencing separationmay include:
Anxiety
Stress
Depression
Stress and anxiety levels in separated men can be so high that these must be addressed as a priority before they are able to affect any other positive change or deal with other issues
Separation and loss of family structure
Social isolation from:
extended family
immediate family
friends of former couple
Financial hardship
Loss and grief
Pride/shame
Unemployment
Issues faced by partner and child after separation
Communication and relationship with ex-partner
Shared parenting/co-parenting
Effect on children
Child focus/importance of maintaining this
Importance of reassurance for child/ren regarding their ongoing importance in their parent's lives regardless of separation
Care and contact issues
Changes in parenting role
Conflict between being a good father and limited physical contact
Alternative housing requirements/homelessness
Loss of power
Family Court proceedings and frustration with 'family law system'
Property settlement
Maintenance
Interaction with counsellors and mediators
Re-partnering of ex-partner
Relationship Conflict and Breakdown
Developing a relationship with a new partner and the dynamics between the new partner, and any child/ren they have, and own child/ren
Step-fathering
continued ...
Key issuesfacing fathers experiencing separationmay include: (contd)
Responses of family and friends
Mental illness
Family violence and abuse


Issues faced by women and children may include but are not limited to:
Guilt
Sadness
Torn loyalties
Financial hardship
Loss and grief
Confusion
Insecurity
Loss of self-esteem
Housing/homelessness


Range of responsesto separationmay include:
Denial
Stress
Anxiety
Anger
Depression
Stress
Violence
Withdrawal
Self-harm, suicide
Remorse
Overcompensation
Relief
Optimism


Common needs of separated fathers may include:
Regain self-esteem/confidence
To be heard/tell story
Hear others' stories/situations/responses
Overcome isolation
Gain information/support
Advocacy
Manage emotional responses
Meet legal obligations
Improve parenting/communication/relationship skills
Accommodation/housing
Learning housekeeping and cooking skills
Financial advice
Practical support


Respond appropriately may include:
Heard, acknowledged and affirmed
Contained if necessary
Reframed if necessary
Normalised as a valid response if appropriate
Sensitively challenged if required
Assist clients to address issues of stress, anxiety and depression to allow them to move toward a stage where they are able to engage constructively in planning and working toward the future


Key agenciesinclude but are not limited to:
Child Support Agency
Family Magistrate Service
Centrelink
Legal aide
Housing/accommodation services
Mediation centres
Australian Taxation Office
Family Court of Australia
Phone support services, e.g. Mensline/Lifeline
Family Relationship Centres
Other agencies providing support and counselling
Websites for example MENDS and Parenting Children
Stepfamily Association of Australia


Realistic must include:
Within the constraints of their personal context
Where consideration is given for self care including addressing issues of stress, depression, and anxiety
According to current legal obligations

EVIDENCE GUIDE

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this unit of competency:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills in the application of working effectively with separated fathers
Evidence of competency in this unit will need to be assessed over a period of time in order to gather evidence of performance
This will include contexts applicable to the work environment, such as actual or simulated workplace situations involving a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary forms of evidence.
Assessment must confirm sufficient ability to work effectively with separated fathers in a group setting


Access and equity considerations:
All workers in community services should be aware of access, equity and human rights issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities


Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit can be assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other community services units of competency is encouraged
Resource requirements for assessment include access to:
a relevant workplace or an appropriately simulated environment where assessment may take place


Method of assessment:
Evidence for assessment of competence may be gathered by appropriate combination of the following:
demonstration of competency within the working environment through the facilitation of groups for separated fathers
realistic simulations, projects, previous relevant experience or oral questioning on 'what if?' scenarios, case presentations, written assessment
observation of processes and procedures, oral and/or written questions on essential knowledge and skills and consideration of required attitudes
where performance is not directly observed and/or is required to be demonstrated over a period of time and/or in a number of locations, any evidence should be authenticated by colleagues, supervisors, clients or other appropriate persons
The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate
Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality, gender or language barriers other than English
Where the candidate has a disability, reasonable adjustment may be applied during assessment
Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role