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.


Detrimental effects of parental/carer ongoing high level conflict on children may include but are not limited to:
Trauma
Stress
Depression
Problems developing social skills
Feelings of isolation and self blame
Grief and loss
Mistrust
Difficulty forming and maintaining relationships
Difficulty determining appropriate expressions of emotions


Child focused practice in this context requires:
Working with the parents/carers and facilitating feedback from the child's perspective about issues related to:
separation and divorce
ongoing parental/carer conflict
future needs and wants of the child
child's past and present experiences of ongoing parental/carer conflict


Needs of the child may include:
Emotional , physical safety and protection from neglect and abuse
To choose to participate
To participate in planning for actions directly involving the child or young person
Participate in age appropriate activities
Relationship interactions with significant others
To express emotions, concerns, feelings and wants and particular experiences


Experienced and skilled staff may include:
Child counsellor/therapist
Child consultant
Psychologist
Social worker
Lawyer
Child protection worker


A child consultant is:
A highly specialist role and assesses the children's experience of conflict and separation issues
Normally, independent of the dispute resolution practitioner role


At risk children and young people may require practitioners to:
Respond to child abuse and neglect issues according to and as defined by state laws
Where mandatory reporting applies, practitioners must abide by that particular child protection legislation
Adhere to professional codes of ethics and conduct in matters of alleged or substantiated child abuse or neglect
Engage the services of a child consultant

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
Observation of workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit
consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to 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:
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 workplace settings, any evidence should be authenticated by colleagues, supervisors, clients or other appropriate persons


Method of assessment
Observation in the workplace is essential
Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice.
Child inclusive facilitation skills involving actual client contact are to be assessed initially in a simulated setting. If successful, a number of further assessments are to be conducted during workplace application with actual client families under direct supervision of an experienced and qualified practitioner and over a period of time
The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate
Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality, gender or language barriers other than English
Where the candidate has a disability, reasonable adjustment may be applied during assessment
Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role