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.

Complex issues could include:
Dual/multiple disabilities
Intellectual disability, physical disability, neurological,
Offending behaviours
Complex medical needs
ABI, autism, sensory loss, Prader Willi syndrome
Communication needs
Social/economic disadvantage
ADD/ADHD
Behavioural issues
Language and diversity

People with complex issues could include:
Children
Adolescents
Adults
Persons under court/protective/statutory orders
People with a physical/sensory/ intellectual/psychiatric disabilities

Appropriate assessment tools could include:
Taking a case history
Psycho-social assessments
Specialised assessment tools
Risk frameworks - self and others
Genograms

Risk management approaches could include:
Established risk management frameworks/models
Organisational risk assessment protocols and guidelines
OH&S regulations, policies and procedures
Duty of care requirements
Harm minimisation strategies

Health implications for the person could include:
Neurological
Physiological
AOD use
Self injurious behaviours
Nutrition
Inactivity
Access to appropriate health care
Inability to manage own health and well being
Sexual health and lifestyle issues

Education and developmental needs may include:
Aetiology
Early intervention
Opportunity and support to access appropriate education opportunities at
Pre primary
Primary
Secondary
Post secondary levels
Support at different life stages

Additional communication support could include:
Communication aids ie picture books, TTY
Augmented communication aids ie electronic devices
Interpreting services
Speech pathology services
Family support
Culturally specific resources

Emotional, social and other needs may include:
Sexuality issues
Socio economic issues
Isolation, rural and geographical issues
Family support
System support
Grief and loss
Vulnerability
EEO, Discrimination, privacy

Significant others could include:
Family
Friends
Partners
Carers
Other professional support persons

Intervention and support strategies could include:
Development of individual program/support plans
Justice plans
General service plans
Allied health plans/support

Support services could include:
Range of pre determined supporting organisations and services
Individualised/tailored strategies
Family and significant others
Self managed
Externally monitored
Government and non government
Private practice

Information and information sources could include:
The person with complex needs
Family and significant others
Health support services
Juvenile justice services
Child protection services
Mental health services
AOD services
Community service networks

Data and records could include:
Files and file notes
Reports formal and informal
Organisational records
Statutory orders

Consultation would include:
The person with complex needs
Family members and significant others
Professional support workers
Formal and informal meetings
Networks

Review processes could include:
Reports: verbal, written, formal and informal
Organisational review processes
Case management meetings

Critical aspects of assessment:

This unit requires the demonstration of high-level judgement and autonomy to be able to:

Work with people with complex and/or multiple issues
Select and apply assessment tools appropriately
Ensure the safety of the individual, self and the community
Identify risks and apply risk management strategies
Provide opportunities for the person with complex needs to achieve individual needs and personal goals
Apply a range of intervention strategies
Make whole of life assessments
Apply relevant monitoring and review techniques

Essential knowledge required may include:

Range of disabilities with complex characteristics including:

Autism
Sensory loss
Prader Willi syndrome
Cerebral palsy
ABI
The community services systems including government and non government services
A broad range of health implications associated with complex needs
OH&S policies and practices
Risk management strategies
The psycho-social impact of a range of complex needs
Specialist services that support people with complex needs
Assessment practices and models
Referral practices and protocols
Monitoring and review practices
Complex communication skills
Offending behaviours
Appropriate and inappropriate social behaviour
The legal system relating to offending behaviours
Specific sexuality issues that may be confronted
Human relationships and sexuality
The life cycle and transition stages
Human development issues
Duty of care
Ethical practices
Working with diversity
Harm minimisation strategies

Essential Skills required may include:

Capacity to:

Apply complex theoretical models of behaviour management
Manage the administration of assessment tools
Working with offenders
Working under guidance of a health professional
Work with clients on a range of complex and interrelating issues including sexuality, human development, grief and loss, aging, depression, threat of harm to self or others.
Self protection
Understand the impact on clients of frustration with the service
Understand the impact on physical capacity of specific disabilities
Understand the impact on emotional responses of specific disabilities such as autism, lack of sight, praederwilli, cerebral palsy

Essential skills required may include the ability to:
Apply theoretical models
Manage the application of assessment tools
Work with offenders
Work in liaison with other health professionals
Work with people with a range of complex and interrelating issues including sexuality, human development, grief and loss, aging, depression, threat of harm to self and others
Protect themselves, the person and the community as needed
Address the impact of frustrations experienced by the service users
Respond to the impact of physical capacity of specific disabilities
Respond to the impact of emotional responses of the specific disability.

Resource implications:
Access to a relevant workplace or appropriately simulated environment where assessment may take place

Consistency in performance:
Assessment may include observation, questioning and evidence gathered from the workplace setting (eg from workplace based project or evidence portfolio)
Assessment may be conducted over one or more occasions and should include both the development and promotion of best practice

Contexts of assessment:
This unit of competency will be most appropriately assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions