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.


Responsibilities of a counsellor must include:
Anti-discriminatory service
Basic rights
Client safety
Commitment to ongoing training and professional development
Duty of care
Informed consent
Justice to clients
Knowledge of counsellor's approach and its limitations
Knowledge of relevant organisation processes
Non-exploitative service
Privacy
Promotion of client well being
Right to confidentiality
Right to privacy
Rights of clients
Understanding of confidentiality and the limits of duty of care
Undertake regular supervision


Rights of minors must include:
Informed consent
Understanding of confidentiality and the limits of duty of care
Knowledge of counsellor's approach and its limitations
Anti-discriminatory service
Non-exploitative service


Circumstances which may override confidentiality must include:
Client safety
Risk of harm to client, counsellor or others
Legal subpoena (unless, for example, privileged under Family Law Act)

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
This unit will be most appropriately assessed in the workplace or in a simulated work context and under the normal range of workplace conditions
It is recommended that assessment or information for assessment will be conducted or gathered over a period of time and cover the normal range of workplace situations and settings


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 is encouraged with other units of competency relating to counselling practice
Resources required for assessment include access to:
an appropriate workplace and/or simulation of realistic work environment where assessment can take place
relevant legislation and regulations, organisation policy, protocols and procedures


Method of assessment:
For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, competency should be demonstrated in a range of situations which may include:
observation of performance in an actual workplace or in a setting that realistically simulates work conditions:
observation should include key aspects described in elements, performance criteria and relevant aspects of the Range Statement of the unit
where face-to-face observation is not possible, video recordings may be provided
candidate's critique of their 'performance' to demonstrate cognitive understanding of theory
written questioning
relevant case studies and/or scenarios
role play
focused discussion