Elements and Performance Criteria

Sources of accurate information include:
Local community social plans
Bodies with statutory responsibility for child protection
State and national child protection co-ordinating bodies
Peak bodies and interest groups related to child protection

Accessible information may include:
Information displays within agencies
Information displays in public locations
Written material in a range of languages
Material designed for those with low level reading skills
Conduct of information sessions
Conduct of parenting groups
Media campaigns

Strategic opportunities may include:
Request for information from an individual or group
Respond to an issue of local or media interest

Support required by families in caring for children may be affected by:
The informal support networks available to the family
Particular circumstances e.g. disability or illness of child or carer
Ability of family to access services due to financial. cultural, language or other restraints

Support services may include:
Facilities operating in a local area eg. playgroups, self-help groups, counselling, education and advice services
Financial and other practical benefits to which families are entitled

Facilitating access to support may include:
Ensuring services of own agency are known to families
Providing information and advice about services
Provision of appropriate referrals
Advocacy on behalf of families

Community infrastructure may include:
Accessible child care
Services to assist families under stress or in crisis
Affordable housing
Locations for families to informally meet and create networks
Family accessible transport systems, leisure options, shopping facilities
Family friendly workplaces

Partnerships to address gaps can include:
Resourcing families to lobby for change or new services
Interagency collaboration to develop new services
Participating in community campaigns

Critical aspects of assessment must include:
Researching, developing and implementing strategies which promote the safety, well-being and welfare of children and young people.

Essential knowledge required includes:
Tasks of families in raising children (physical care, emotional nurture, socialisation, education)
Support needs of families (practical and emotional)
The link between supporting families and promoting well-being of families
Factors that place children and young people at risk of harm
Range of prevention strategies to address risk factors
Strategies of family and interagency collaboration in promoting the well-being of children

Essential skills required include:
Research
Networking
Providing information
Referral

Resource implications:
This units may be assessed holistically in combination with other units in the qualification

Method of assessment:
This units may be assessed through a combination of observation, portfolio, supervisor's reports and checklist to ensure the full range of local relevant information sources are accessed

Context of assessment:
Assessment could occur both in the workplace and in off-the-job learning contexts through methods that present workplace practice situations, using case studies, simulations etc.