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.


Risk may refer to but not limited to:
Being physically hurt, intimidated, bullied, harassed or controlled
Threatened with physical harm, intimidation, bullying or harassment
Harm or threat of harm to children
Harm or threat of harm to pets and loved ones
Harm or threat of harm to property
Inability or reduced ability to effectively participate in significant events such as compulsory family dispute resolution
Inability or reduced ability to negotiate free and fair arrangements whether by reason of a history of domestic violence or otherwise
Having residential address known by a person who uses violence against you


Screening may refer to:
Processes for proactively enquiring about the presence of domestic and family violence with the intention of preventing further violence or harm


Risk assessment refers to:
Processes for evaluating the nature of specific risks to safety for individual clients using tools and structured clinical judgement
The content of risk may relate to:
exposure to further violence
mental health issues
children's and parenting issues


Risk assessment tools refers to:
Documented questionnaires and procedures for gathering information in relation to risk
Scripts and preambles
Defined questions
Measures and rating scales of risk


External partnerships and stakeholders may refer to:
Other agencies and service providers
Clients
Funding bodies


Referral systems may include:
Hot (going with client), warm (setting up appointments and direct links) or cold (information for clients to make own contact) referrals
Referrals to:
crisis intervention services
legal or medical services
family domestic services
child support services
culturally specific services
accommodation services
access to services/information
financial services
child support agency
mediation and counselling services
living skills and problem solving programs
educational programs
specialist services

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:
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 analyse the dynamics of domestic and family violence and ensure appropriate screening and risk assessment is conducted
Assessment of performance should be over a period of time covering all categories within the Range Statement statements that are applicable to the work environment
In particular, assessment must confirm the ability to:
accurately identify the safety needs of people subject of domestic and family violence through the appropriate use of screening and risk assessment processes
accurately review screening and risk assessment procedures of the organisation
build networks with and refer to relevant programs which meet the needs of a wide variety of clients
accurately interpret and comply with legal and procedural requirements
understand own work role and responsibilities in relation to service delivery


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:
Evidence will be determined by selection from the Range Statement, justified in terms of work requirements, work roles and responsibilities and occupational specialisations


Method of assessment
Evidence for assessment of competence may be gathered by appropriate combination of the following:
demonstration of competency within the working environment in delivering services to clients living with and affected by domestic and family violence
realistic simulations, projects, previous relevant experience or oral questioning on 'what if?' scenarios
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