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.


Historical, social, political and economic context includes:
Statutory framework within which work takes place in the sector
Historical context of work e.g. changing attitudes to AOD use; changing approaches to working with clients
Changing social context of work e.g. changing government and societal views of AOD use and approaches to working with clients
Political context e.g. government policies and initiatives affecting AOD work including early intervention and health promotion
Economic context e.g. the current economic situation as it relates to and affects AOD use and the subsequent impact on client needs


Consideration of the interrelationship of issues affecting clientsmay include:
Community development approach
Empowerment of the community


Essential values and philosophy of the sector may include:
A holistic and client-centred approach - i.e. promotion of health and well being; early identification of health problems; delivery of appropriate services; commitment to meeting the needs and upholding the rights of clients; commitment to empowering the client
A focus on harm minimisation including harm prevention; harm reduction; health promotion and harm management


Models of work in the sector may include:
Community development and education
Case management
Working with families


Stakeholders and representatives may include:
Clients
Friends, peers and target group
Families and care givers
Consumer workers
Local community
Community organisations
Government representatives and service providers
Specialists/experts
Peak bodies and networks in the sector
Services
Management, colleagues, supervisor, team members


Settings may include:
Residential rehabilitation
Home based withdrawal
Day program
De-toxication unit
Outreach
Home via telephone/email/internet
Inpatient
Any community setting


A commitment to access and equity must be demonstrated by:
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 etc

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 must be assessed with other relevant specialisation units chosen as part of a qualification
This unit may be assessed on the job or through simulation
Assessment must be over a range of situations with more than one target group It will entail observations and other workplace assessment tools
Consistency in performance should consider the work environment, worker's role and responsibilities in the workplace


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:
Resources required for assessment include access to appropriate workplace 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