Elements and Performance Criteria

Dual Diagnosis clients means:
Consumers with co-existing mental health and AOD diagnoses

Working with Consumers will be carried out within requirements established by:
Relevant legislation and statutory requirements
International conventions relating to the rights of individuals
Organisational policy and codes of conduct
Relevant program standards
Professional association codes of conduct and ethical and ethical positions

Critical aspects of assessment:
Working cooperatively with clients/significant others to achieve behavioural life skills changes
Working with individuals in a range of settings to achieve maximum outcomes

Essential knowledge:
Holistic care - health, social, legal
Predisposing factors to mental illness and indicators of pathology ie. Substance use, mental health
Legal Issues
support models of rehabilitation
Interventions appropriate to co-morbidity
Counselling models/practices including basic knowledge of theories supporting counselling process
Professional service provision codes of conduct, ethical codes, referral protocols
Group dynamics models/practices
Range of services available
Organisational procedures and program standards
Cultural protocols, taboos and language systems
Facilitation model/practices
Statutory mandate and responsibilities
Human development and understanding of life stages
Behaviour change models/practices
Stress indicators
Evidence-based practice including National Mental Health Practice Standards

Essential skills:
Crisis intervention
Demonstration of empathy
Relationship building
Counselling including
Counselling context, process and goals
Establishing a trusting relationship
Information gathering
Reflective listening, respectful responding, development of empathy and rapport
Human life stage development
Communication
Negotiation
Managing groups
Stress management
Assertion
Conflict management
Influencing skills
Training and education

Resource implications:
Assessment of this competency will require human resources consistent with those outlined in the Assessment Guidelines

Consistency in performance:
Competence in this unit must be assessed over a period of time in order to ensure consistency of performance over the Range Statement and contexts applicable to the work environment
Consistency in performance should consider the work environment, worker's role and responsibilities in the workplace

Context for assessment:
Competency must be demonstrated in a real work environment
In cases where the learner does not have the opportunity to cover all categories of the Range Statement 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