Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range Statement explains the scope and context of the unit of competency allowing for differences between workplaces. The scope of variables chosen for training and assessment requirements will depend on the particular work situation.

The legal, political and social framework include:
Legislation including mandatory reporting (in some jurisdictions) and reciprocal reporting
Government strategic plans
The current political environment within the jurisdiction and any recent developments including reviews
Significant incidents that influence policies and procedures
Practice principles
Standards of care
Quality systems (eg licensing)
Resourcing the industry (funding programs, information/communication networks
Child protection orders (overview)
The impact of relationships and integration

Stakeholders include:
Children, young people and their families and carers
Statewide services including education, health and police.
Peak bodies
Government Departments
Specialist teams
Family, youth, support and placement agencies.

Self management activities include:
A proactive approach to own professional development
Identifying and appropriately managing the challenges of child protection work
Understanding and appropriately managing stress
Managing conflict appropriately
A professional approach to stress and personal safety management
Overcoming barriers to effective self care
Developing a safety plan for direct contact with children, young people and families
Developing, understanding and working from personal frameworks
Taking responsibility for professional development /career long learning.
Participating in supervision
Accepting the responsibility of the beginning practitioner
Developing and implementing work plans

An understanding of children's Court procedures includes:
Court processes
Preparing for court
Attending court
Writing the court report
Working as a rural practitioner/court
Preparing and supporting children, young people and families pre and post court.

The challenges of child protection work include:
Engaging and working in partnerships with families where a range of complicating risk factors exists
Working in partnership with other professionals
A strengths based approach
Using authority wisely
Confidentiality (communication)
Attitudes and values
Organisational values
Working with cultural diversity (specific unit)
Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

Issues related to the placement of children and young people in out of home care include:
Attachment and Separation
Sensitive responses to introducing and managing children and young people in out of home care
The importance of maximising safe family involvement/contact during placement
The importance of a professional partnership between Protective and Direct care Workers, and clear Placement/Protective Planning
Ongoing assessment of risk whilst in placement
The importance of pre crisis planning for young people in out of home care
Ensuring a focus on all life dimensions whilst in placement not solely protection (LAC)
Restoration/Reunification Planning for the child/young persons return home

Supporting the rights, interests and needs of children and young people includes:
Child or young person is supported and encouraged to exercise their rights where appropriate
Legal responsibilities and duty of care are complied with
Seeking additional assistance

The Evidence Guide identifies the critical aspects of assessment, and the essential knowledge and skills to be demonstrated to confirm competency in this unit. The Evidence Guide is an integral part of the assessment of competency and it should be read carefully in conjunction with the Range Statement, elements and performance criteria.
Critical aspects of evidence:
The candidate will need to demonstrate the ability to work within the legal framework to protect children, to Manage own values so they do not impede effective work and manage the stress of the work

Essential Knowledge:
Relevant legislation
Indicators, effects and dynamics of abuse and neglect
Responsibilities of duty of care
Roles and responsibilities of each of the key players in the child protection area
Organisational protocols relating to child protection work
Effective stress management techniques
Legal implications and responsibilities of statutory work
Relevant policy and procedures
Stages of child development (Physical, cognitive, emotional and social)
Interview processes and legal requirements
Effects of removal, incarceration
Parenting and family dynamics in different cultures
Impact of Government Policies on indigenous communities, eg Stolen Generations
Case management processes
Child centred family focussed practice approaches

Essential Skills:
Interpretation of policies, procedures, standards and statutory obligations
Communicating effectively with clients and significant others
Active listening, reflective, summarising questions and statements
Demonstration of empathy and rapport building
Age appropriate language and questioning techniques
Conflict resolution
Managing grief and change processes
Working with adolescents and their significant others

Resource implications:
Access to an appropriate workplace or an environment capable of accurately simulating the workplace for assessment purposes

Consistency in performance:
Consistency in performance should be based on requirements of the range of situations of specific need encountered in the workplace

Context of assessment:
This unit of competence must be assessed in the workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions