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.


Children's issues may include:
Type, frequency and length of contact with parents
Preference for recreational and social activities
Education and peer relations
Contact and relationship with significant others and/or extended family
Place of residence
Preferred communications styles with parents and significant others


Communication techniques may include:
Assertion
Active listening
Summarising
Paraphrasing
Non-verbal communication:
gestures
facial expression
posture and positioning
eye contact
Written information, pamphlets, reports, articles


Inappropriate attempts to exchange information may include:
Threatening staff and or other clients to disclose information
Providing documentation to staff that breaches confidentiality
Attempting to engage with staff to for the sole purpose of obtaining information about another party to the case
Attempting to use gifts and bribery to exchange information
Manipulating and coercing children to seek information from staff and others
Illegal attempts to access confidential files


Manage inter parental disputes may include:
Ensuring safety of vulnerable clients by ensuring confidentiality of either party, not having contact with parties directly in the same environment
Using assertiveness and negation skills to diffuse immediate conflict situations
Modelling appropriate cooperation and communication skills to parents in conflict
Reinforcing the organisations policy on rights and responsibilities of both clients and workers where necessary
Undertaking risk assessments for violence and abuse
Presenting the child's expressed wants and needs to ensure that parents refocus on the best interests of the child


Court orders may relate to
Parental contact and residency
Child Protection
Domestic and family violence issues


Developmentally age appropriate activities means:
Plan activities that consider the developmental age and milestones of the child. Including chronological age, social, emotional and intellectual development. Activities will also provide for the specific needs of the individual child where disability, culture or health concerns are present.


Resources for safe interactions may include:
Child appropriate equipment and activities
Appropriate environment to engage with parents
Access to organisation policies and procedures
Recent and relevant research on:
marital conflict
separation and divorce
effective communication in marital conflict interventions
Access to court orders where relevant
Documented history of marital/post separation conflict


Provide guidance and direction to less experienced staff may include:
Establishing and participating in peer support systems in the organisation
Peer supervision arrangements
Case review processes
Mentoring or buddy arrangements
Shadowing more experienced staff members


Evaluation processes and methodologies may include:
Direct observation
Client interviews
Survey forms
Focus groups

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:
Communication methods for engaging and working with children
Understanding and applying to practice the concepts and intentions of Family Law Act - 'Best Interests of the Child'
Understanding and applying Child Development theories when engaging and working with children and families
Understanding and applying where necessary any mandated notification responsibilities
Application of confidentiality and conflict of interest policies to information obtained, recorded and maintained when working with clients
Ensuring child's rights to protection, active right to participate, to choose course of action and make decisions at their level of ability
Children's emotional and physical reactions to separation, conflict, violence and trauma.
Observation of workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over a period of time in order to ensure consistency of performance across contexts applicable to the work environment


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:
Competency must be demonstrated in a real work environment
In cases where the learner does not have the opportunity to cover all relevant aspects in the work environment, the remainder should be assessed through realistic simulations, projects, previous relevant experience or oral questioning on 'What if?' scenarios
Assessment of this unit of competence will usually include observation of processes and procedures, oral and/or written questioning 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 workplace settings, any evidence should be authenticated by colleagues, supervisors, clients or other appropriate persons


Method of assessment:
Observation in the workplace together with a possible combination of the following:
Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice.
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