Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 1:35 AM AWST
23/07/2026 1:35 AM 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.
Provide brief intervention
Provide brief intervention
Unit of competency
National Code
CHCCS403C
CHCCS403C
State Code
WC846
WC846
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
12/08/2014
Field of Education
090501 - Social Work
Original Release Date
12/08/2014
Nominal Hours
45
Description
DescriptorThis unit describes the knowledge and skills required to identify, implement and monitor brief intervention strategies for use in a variety of community health contexts
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Explain what brief intervention is and how it can be effectively used
- 1.1 Define features of brief interventions and give examples
- 1.2 Explain reasons for using brief interventions, who can use them and when they may be appropriate
- 1.3 Describe stages of behaviour change model, including elements of pre-contemplation, contemplation, action and maintenance
- 1.4 Describe step by step process for undertaking brief interventions
2. Assess a client's need for intervention and the type of brief intervention required
- 2.1 Assess client's need for intervention
- 2.2 Elicit issue/s of concern and determine client's stage in his/her decision to change
- 2.3 Identify resources required to support the brief intervention
- 2.4 Identify and plan appropriate brief intervention strategies to match client need
3. Practise and use brief intervention strategies which match a client's stage of change
- 3.1 Raise awareness of the health issue with a client who is not contemplating change
- 3.2 Conduct brief motivational interview with a client who is contemplating change
- 3.3 Support client who expresses motivation to change in exploring choices, setting goals and identifying relapse prevention strategies
- 3.4 Take opportunities to support and encourage a client who has made a change
- 3.5 For a client who has lapsed or relapsed into prior behaviour, identify current needs and sources of assistance, and give support as appropriate
4. Monitor brief intervention activities
- 4.1 Keep notes are kept in the client's file in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
- 4.2 Ensure client's file notes include the client's stage of decision-making on each occasion
- 4.3 Maintain confidentiality and security of information
- 4.4 Regularly review client's progress or outcomes
- 4.5 Discuss outcomes with the client in an appropriate manner
- 4.6 Discuss the use of brief intervention as a public health strategy with others in the organisation within the context of service evaluation procedures
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.
Workers may be engaged in a working environment in which they:
Seize opportunities to do brief interventions with clients as they arise
Work with a client on a one-to-one basis and have limited opportunity for supervision of the brief intervention process
Are communicating in a language other than their first language
Are required to make clients' file notes and fulfil administrative requirements in a language other than their first language
Must comply with cultural obligations which influence their use of brief intervention with particular clients
Features of brief interventions include:
One-to-one approach, private
Takes short period of time
May be done by a health team member
Client led process
Opportunistic
To raise awareness
To share knowledge
To help client to think about making changes to improve health
Reasons for using brief interventions may include:
Harm reduction
Facilitating behaviour change
Any behaviour which affects health, such as
Diet and exercise
Personal hygiene
Smoking
Excessive drinking of alcohol
Use of other drugs such as cannabis, kava or illicit drugs
Resources required to support the brief intervention may include:
Displays
Electronic media
Brochures or pamphlets
Books and other publications, see reference list
Other health workers
Community health stories
Brief intervention strategies may include:
Applying a rang eof assessment tools to determine the brief intervention needed
Raising awareness of link between behaviour and personal health/social well being
Raising awareness of link between personal behaviour and the affect on family and community
Sharing relevant information about health
Exploring the client's expressed concerns
Motivational interviewing techniques
To help the client to weigh up the good/not so good things about the health issue or behaviour
To help the client express his or her reasons for concern and the arguments for change
Highlighting the benefits of changing
Setting personal goals and exploring personal change strategies
Identifying a hierarchy of personal change strategies
Identifying strategies for lapse/relapse prevention
Assessing potential harmful outcomes, such as withdrawal
Giving the client resources, such as written information, appropriate to the stage of change
Giving positive feedback and encouragement
Offering time and support
Organisation policies and procedures include those relating to:
Record-keeping and filing
Security
Confidentiality
Workplace code of conduct or code of practice
Broader legislative requirements
Monitoring and feedback may be:
Verbal
Written
Pictorial
Audio visual
Electronic, e.g. computer files
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.
Workers may be engaged in a working environment in which they:
Seize opportunities to do brief interventions with clients as they arise
Work with a client on a one-to-one basis and have limited opportunity for supervision of the brief intervention process
Are communicating in a language other than their first language
Are required to make clients' file notes and fulfil administrative requirements in a language other than their first language
Must comply with cultural obligations which influence their use of brief intervention with particular clients
Features of brief interventions include:
One-to-one approach, private
Takes short period of time
May be done by a health team member
Client led process
Opportunistic
To raise awareness
To share knowledge
To help client to think about making changes to improve health
Reasons for using brief interventions may include:
Harm reduction
Facilitating behaviour change
Any behaviour which affects health, such as
Diet and exercise
Personal hygiene
Smoking
Excessive drinking of alcohol
Use of other drugs such as cannabis, kava or illicit drugs
Resources required to support the brief intervention may include:
Displays
Electronic media
Brochures or pamphlets
Books and other publications, see reference list
Other health workers
Community health stories
Brief intervention strategies may include:
Applying a rang eof assessment tools to determine the brief intervention needed
Raising awareness of link between behaviour and personal health/social well being
Raising awareness of link between personal behaviour and the affect on family and community
Sharing relevant information about health
Exploring the client's expressed concerns
Motivational interviewing techniques
To help the client to weigh up the good/not so good things about the health issue or behaviour
To help the client express his or her reasons for concern and the arguments for change
Highlighting the benefits of changing
Setting personal goals and exploring personal change strategies
Identifying a hierarchy of personal change strategies
Identifying strategies for lapse/relapse prevention
Assessing potential harmful outcomes, such as withdrawal
Giving the client resources, such as written information, appropriate to the stage of change
Giving positive feedback and encouragement
Offering time and support
Organisation policies and procedures include those relating to:
Record-keeping and filing
Security
Confidentiality
Workplace code of conduct or code of practice
Broader legislative requirements
Monitoring and feedback may be:
Verbal
Written
Pictorial
Audio visual
Electronic, e.g. computer files
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
It is recommended this unit be assessed after, or in conjunction, with the attainment of competency in other communication unit(s) within qualifications
Competency must be demonstrated in a real work environment
Competence in this unit must be assessed over a period of time in order to ensure consistency of performance across contexts applicable to the work environment
Consistency in performance should consider the work environment, worker's role and responsibilities 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 of competency is designed to stand alone
It is designed to be offered to workers of broad ranging professional background, engaged in a variety of settings and may be, but is not required to be assessed in conjunction with other units
Assessment may take place during a training workshop or in the workplace, depending on the mode of delivery
Method of assessment:
Assessment should include a combination of methods such as:
Observation and listening
Individual/group discussion
Discussion of participants' self-assessment and evaluation
Assessment of written exercises, displays and presentations
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
It is recommended this unit be assessed after, or in conjunction, with the attainment of competency in other communication unit(s) within qualifications
Competency must be demonstrated in a real work environment
Competence in this unit must be assessed over a period of time in order to ensure consistency of performance across contexts applicable to the work environment
Consistency in performance should consider the work environment, worker's role and responsibilities 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 of competency is designed to stand alone
It is designed to be offered to workers of broad ranging professional background, engaged in a variety of settings and may be, but is not required to be assessed in conjunction with other units
Assessment may take place during a training workshop or in the workplace, depending on the mode of delivery
Method of assessment:
Assessment should include a combination of methods such as:
Observation and listening
Individual/group discussion
Discussion of participants' self-assessment and evaluation
Assessment of written exercises, displays and presentations
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D2329 | CHCCS403B | Provide brief intervention | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVC62 | CHCCCS014 | Provide brief interventions | Unit of competency |