Elements and Performance Criteria

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.


Potential and actual risks to worker safety associated with child protection work may include:
Physical attack and subsequent injury
Psychological and emotional distress
Threats to personal and family safety
Threats to damage property
Damage to property and personal affects


Range of child protection work situations may include:
Home visits
Office visits
Client contacts in isolated areas
Working with high risk clients
Decisions made by the organisation that is in conflict with those of the family
Extreme case of abuse and neglect


Organisation policy and procedures may include:
WHS
Confidentiality of worker personal details
Risk and safety assessment for staff
Home visitation and assessment
Client contact and single worker operations
Communications for out of office operations


Contingency responsesmay include:
Reassigning case loads
Allocating two workers to a case rather than one
Re assess risks and implement changes to approaches accordingly
Seek support from other authorities, e. g Police where needed


Workplace health and safety procedures when carrying out functions of child protection work may include:
Two worker model of operation
Communication strategies for work off site e.g. mobile phones, worker movement logs
Maintain contact with office on regular basis in home visits and assessments off site
Thorough debriefing in handover of client case to other workers


Strategies that support and promote the resilience of team members may include:
Debriefing processes
Buddy and support systems
Regular meetings to discuss strategies to ensure worker safety measures are current and up to date
Acknowledging the strengths within the team to address safety concerns


Internal and external support networks may include:
Employee assistance programs
Counselling
Supervision

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 of competence must be assessed in the workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions
Consistency in performance should consider the range of clients and specific needs that will encountered 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:
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 relevant workplace or simulated realistic workplace setting where assessment may take place


Method of assessment:
Assessment may include observation, questioning and evidence gathered from a workplace environment