Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 2:10 PM AWST
22/07/2026 2:10 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Advocate for clients
Advocate for clients
Unit of competency
National Code
CHCAD401D
CHCAD401D
State Code
D2209
D2209
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
15/07/2014
Field of Education
091103 - Legal Studies
Original Release Date
15/07/2014
Nominal Hours
30
Description
DescriptorThis unit describes the knowledge and skills required by the worker to support clients to voice their opinions or needs and to ensure their rights are upheld
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Assist clients to identify their rights and represent their own needs
- 1.1 Assist client to identify their own needs and rights and to determine if their rights are being infringed or are not being met
- 1.2 Undertake an assessment with the client, and if necessary with significant others and colleagues to identify client's ability to advocate for self
- 1.3 Provide client with information about available options for meeting their needs and assist them to identify their preferred option, and to make contact and negotiate with relevant people and agencies where appropriate
- 1.4 Ensure information provided to clients about client rights and responsibilities is researched, relevant and timely
2. Advocate on behalf of clients on request
- 2.1 Initiate, negotiate and implement relevant strategies for addressing client needs
- 2.2 On request from the client and in on-going consultation with the client, identify and contact the most appropriate individuals or organisations and represent the client's point of view clearly to optimise outcomes for the client
- 2.3 Ensure information is kept in confidence unless authorisation is given to release it
- 2.4 Discuss progress and outcomes with the client and take further action as necessary
3. Advocate for clients
- 3.1 Where assessment indicates the client requires advocacy support:
- raise issues with the most appropriate person/ people in a way that upholds the rights and supports reasonable expectations of the client
- initiate and implement strategies for addressing client needs in consultation with appropriate personnel
- identify and redress potential conflict of interest
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.
Rights and needs include:
Freedom of choice
Access to services
Personal safety and security
Access to rights protection and legal remedies
Access to right protections and legal remedies
Advocate on behalf of clients may be to:
Other workers
Management
Other agencies/organisations
Family/friends/community
Employers
Other health services/professionals
Police
Legal organisations/persons
Government departments
Schools
Credit providers, financial institutions, utility companies
Advocacy may include:
Meeting client needs in the context of organisation requirements
Awareness of potential conflict between client needs and organisation requirements
Review of strategies may be informal or formal and may include:
Discussions with key people in the community
Discussions with friends/family of the client
Discussions with colleagues and/or clients
Formal strategies may include:
Public meetings
Interviews
Questionnaires
Court appearances
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.
Rights and needs include:
Freedom of choice
Access to services
Personal safety and security
Access to rights protection and legal remedies
Access to right protections and legal remedies
Advocate on behalf of clients may be to:
Other workers
Management
Other agencies/organisations
Family/friends/community
Employers
Other health services/professionals
Police
Legal organisations/persons
Government departments
Schools
Credit providers, financial institutions, utility companies
Advocacy may include:
Meeting client needs in the context of organisation requirements
Awareness of potential conflict between client needs and organisation requirements
Review of strategies may be informal or formal and may include:
Discussions with key people in the community
Discussions with friends/family of the client
Discussions with colleagues and/or clients
Formal strategies may include:
Public meetings
Interviews
Questionnaires
Court appearances
EVIDENCE GUIDE
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
Assessment may be conducted on one or more occasions, but should include the normal range of workplace activities
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:
This unit can be assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other community services units of competency is encouraged
Resources required for assessment include access to:
an appropriate workplace where assessment can take place, or
simulation of realistic workplace setting for assessment
Method of assessment:
Assessment may include observation, questioning and evidence gathered from the workplace environment
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
Assessment may be conducted on one or more occasions, but should include the normal range of workplace activities
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:
This unit can be assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other community services units of competency is encouraged
Resources required for assessment include access to:
an appropriate workplace where assessment can take place, or
simulation of realistic workplace setting for assessment
Method of assessment:
Assessment may include observation, questioning and evidence gathered from the workplace environment
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2959 | CHCAD1C | Advocate for clients | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVC96 | CHCADV001 | Facilitate the interests and rights of clients | Unit of competency |