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.

Clients include:
Individual members of the public
Referred or self referred
People with specific needs seeking access to services
Family members and significant others

Language and interpersonal skills include:
Means for communicating with people with disabilities or where English is not the first language
Means for communication with people in particular communities
Communication with different age and gender groups

Client services include:
Income, financial and community support services
Employment services
Access to recreation services
Care and support services
Transport and communication services

Complex issues include:
Combinations of physical, social , economic and personal factors

Information collection mechanisms include:
Interviews with clients, family, significant others and carers
Questionaries
Applications and other forms
Case documentation
Using specialist communicators
Classification tools
Information from professionals including medical reports
Information from service providers

Networks include:
Specialist providers in the community services and health areas including health and cognitive assessments
Specialist services to assist communication with client and identification of their needs
Providers of any of the identified client services required by clients of the organisation

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 assessment:
Administration of organisations' instruments and mechanisms to assess client needs
Selecting appropriate services from a range of services provided by the organisation to match client needs
Selecting from others services available in the broader community to address client needs
Developing and maintain appropriate networks
Providing referrals to relevant organisations or providers of specialist services

Essential knowledge:
Legislative requirements and provisions relevant to area of service delivery and delegated responsibility
Accepted organisational procedures, systems and practice for client assessment and allocation of services
Accepted practices for delivery of services to particular clients

Issues affecting particular client groups including:

Income/economic
Health
Cognitive
Social
Community support and interaction
Education and training
Employment
Impact of assessment
Client needs
Local services available for clients

Essential skills:
High level interpersonal skills
Analysis and judgement
Risk management
Oral communication skills required to develop rapport with client. Oral communication skills may include listening, asking questions, providing encouragement , minimising the impact of challenging behaviours . Language used may be English, sign language or community language depending on client group
Literacy competency required to fulfil the procedures of the organisation/service. Language used may be English or community language depending on service/organisation

Resource implications:
Access to appropriate workplace where assessment can take place or
Simulation of realistic workplace setting for assessment

Consistency in performance:
Assessment may include observations, questioning or evidence gathered from the workplace
Assessment may take place on one occasion but must include a number of clients with complex needs

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