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.


Assessment may take place:
Face-to-face
By telephone
By other media, such as internet


Clients may include:
People who gamble (particularly those who engage in harmful levels of gambling)
Significant others, including partners, families and care givers, friends and peers


Basis for further work may include:
Contracting with the client


Informed consent:
Includes:
Consent to collect, store, use and access information
Consent to begin the process of therapy
Consent to service provision
Understanding of limitations of confidentiality
Is collected in writing if possible - it may include:
Individual or service consent / agreement forms to be completed


Take client information and gambling historyrefers to collection of relevant information, including:
Name, age, gender, other demographics, etc
Gambling history
Social and legal history
Employment history
Family history (e.g. genograms)
Mental health issues
Drug and alcohol issues
Previous history of treatment
Lapse and relapse
Supports and networks
Medical history
Agency ability to cater for client needs
Financial status
Current presentation including psychosocial stressors
Strengths (client and others)
Other relevant related issues affecting client/s
Understandings, beliefs, thoughts and values about gambling
Literacy, language and intellectual capacity
Child protection
Personal and other safety issues


Current status of the client includes:
Current or baseline levels of gambling behaviour
Determining readiness to change
Physical, emotional, financial, legal and psychosocial state and immediate needs in these areas
Gambling and other issues in the family
Level of risk of self-harm behaviours and/or harm to others
Other issues


Structured assessment screens may include:
South Oaks Gambling Screens
Canadian Problem Gambling Index
Structured Clinical Interview for Problem gambling (SCIP)
G-MAP
GA 20 questions
Victorian Gambling Screen (VGS)
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV (DSM-IV)
Victorian Family and Relationships Gambling Questionnaire
Time and money assessment - timeline - diary
Componential - global assessment
CIDI
DAS21
Clinical interviews
Other current validated screens


Indicators of other issues may include:
Indicators of other stressors, such as:
Housing
Employment
Financial
Legal
Relationship


Options for addressing the range of client needs may include:
Referral to other services
Community intervention
Case management
Taking holistic approach to counselling which addresses the range of issues client needs to address

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 workplace 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 with other community services units of competency is encouraged
Resources required for assessment include access to an appropriate workplace or simulation of realistic workplace setting where assessment can take place


Method of assessment:
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 locations', any evidence should be authenticated by colleagues, supervisors, clients or other appropriate persons