Elements and Performance Criteria

Context includes:
Statutory framework within which work takes place
Changing social context of work eg. consumer centred approach, changing government and societal views of not-for-profit housing, approaches to working with clients/service users/members/tenants

Different models of work in the sector may include:
Housing management
Tenancy management
Tenancy support
Tenancy advice/advocacy
Community development and education
Case management

Stakeholders and representatives may include:
Consumers/service users/clients/members/tenants
Local community
Community organisations
Government representatives and service providers
Peak bodies and networks in the sector
Management, colleagues, team members

The underpinning values and philosophies of the sector may include:
A social justice perspective
Community development approach
Housing as a right not a privilege
A holistic and consumer-centred approach
Commitment to meeting the needs and upholding the rights of consumers
Commitment to empowering the consumer

A commitment to principles of access and equity include:
Creation of a consumer oriented culture
A non-discriminatory approach to all people using the service, their family and friends, the general public and co-workers
Ensuring the work undertaken takes account of and caters for differences including: cultural, physical, religious, economic, social

Critical aspects of assessment must include:
On work role within the context of the social housing sector
Organisational role within the context of the social housing sector

Essential knowledge required includes:
Principles of community delivered service provision
Importance of consumer input
Holistic and client-centred service
Consumer needs and rights including duty of care
Principles of client empowerment/disempowerment
Principles of access and equity

Policy, regulatory, legislative and legal requirements include:

Residential Tenancy Legislation or equivalent
Privacy Act
Legislation Essential the principles of equal opportunity
Freedom of Information Act
Individual rights
National Housing Policy
National Community Housing Service Standards (draft)
Disability Services Acts and standards
Historical and social context
Political and economic context
Current issues facing clients and existing services to address their needs and rights
Principles and practices of ethics and values
Principles and practices of confidentiality
Principles and practice of duty of care
Legal system
Courts
Police powers
Court reports
Tribunals
Knowledge specific to working with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

Essential skills include:
Interpersonal communication with clients and other stakeholders
Preparation of reports so that the information and organisation of information is appropriate to its purposes and audience
Working as part of a team or as a sole worker
Problem solving
Communication

Resource requirements include:
Access to appropriate workplace where assessment can take place; or
Simulation of realistic workplace setting for assessment

Method of assessment:
This unit is best assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace under the normal of range conditions

Context of assessment:
This unit is best assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace under the normal of range conditions
This unit must be assessed with all other specialisation units chosen as part of a package at a particular Australian Qualifications Framework level