Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 7:32 PM AWST
23/07/2026 7:32 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.
Maintain legal and ethical work practices
Maintain legal and ethical work practices
Unit of competency
National Code
CHCCS502C
CHCCS502C
State Code
WC860
WC860
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
21/07/2014
Field of Education
090515 - Welfare Studies
Original Release Date
21/07/2014
Nominal Hours
70
Description
DescriptorThis unit describes the knowledge and skills required to maintain the application of legal and ethical work practices by monitoring, coordinating and promoting their importance in providing community services and supporting duty of care requirements
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Promote the importance of applying legislation and common law relevant to work role
- 1.1 Identify and explain legal responsibilities and obligations relating to identified work role/s
- 1.2 Identify and explain key statutory and regulatory requirements relating to identified work role/s
- 1.3 Encourage staff to clarify and fulfil duty of care responsibilities in the course of practice, to accept responsibility and be accountable for own actions and to maintain confidentiality in line with organisation guidelines
- 1.4 Identify and promote opportunities for staff to involve clients in decision-making and to seek client agreement prior to service provision
2. Monitor application of organisation policies and practices
- 2.1 Monitor work performance to ensure organisation policies, protocols and procedures are appropriately and consistently addressed
- 2.2 Provide information and support to initiate and contribute to the review and development of policies and protocols in line with work role
- 2.3 Clarify scope of work for staff to address requirements of position specifications and role responsibilities
- 2.4 Provide clarification for any uncertainty with regard to scope of practice in line with organisation requirements and legal and ethical guidelines
- 2.5 Monitor work instructions provided to staff to ensure their clarity and appropriateness in line with organisation requirements and legal and ethical guidelines
3. Monitor ethical work practices
- 3.1 Monitor service delivery to ensure client rights are protected and services are delivered to clients with respect for diversity of personal values, beliefs and attitudes
- 3.2 Monitor staff ability to use effective problem solving techniques when exposed to competing value systems
- 3.3 Identify potential ethical issues and ethical dilemmas in the workplace and discuss with staff to ensure maintenance of ethical work practices
- 3.4 Use codes of ethics to recognise and report unethical conduct according to established protocols
4. Take corrective action when client rights and interests are not being protected
- 4.1 Ensure client and/or their advocate/s are supported to identify and express their concerns
- 4.2 Instigate and monitor referral of client and/or their advocate/s to advocacy services as appropriate
- 4.3 Manage client complaint/s in line with organisation policy and protocols
- 4.4 Take action in line with organisation protocols to address witnessed signs or evidence consistent with financial, physical, emotional, sexual abuse and/or neglect of the client
- 4.5 Work with an understanding and appreciation of the role and responsibilities of legal guardians
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.
Clients may include:
Children and young people
Individuals living in government funded services and/or institutions to 'clients'
Individuals living in residential aged care environments
Individuals living in the community
Job seekers
Prospective individuals to the service or services
Contexts may include:
Client's own dwelling
Community centres
Community, government or private agency or organisation
Independent living accommodation
Residential aged care facilities
Key statutory and regulatory requirements may include those related to:
Building standards
Criminal acts
Discrimination and harassment
Equal employment opportunities
Freedom of information
Health records legislation
International and national standards
Mandatory reporting
Work health and safety (WHS)
Pharmaceutical benefits
Poisons and therapeutics
Privacy legislation
Public health
Registration and practice of health professionals
Residential and community services
Report may include:
Non-verbal (written):
case notes
incident reports
progress reports
Verbal:
face-to-face
telephone
Rights may include:
Access to services
Confidentiality
Dignity
Freedom of association
Informed choice
Privacy
Right to express ideas and opinions
To an agreed standard of care
To lodge a complaint
Rights are detailed in:
Accreditation standards
Industry and organisation codes of ethics and/or codes of conduct and practice
Industry and organisation service standards
International and national charters
Legislation
Units of competency
Principles of access and equity may include:
Creation of a client orientated culture
Non-discriminatory approach to all individuals using or accessing the service
Respect for individual differences
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.
Clients may include:
Children and young people
Individuals living in government funded services and/or institutions to 'clients'
Individuals living in residential aged care environments
Individuals living in the community
Job seekers
Prospective individuals to the service or services
Contexts may include:
Client's own dwelling
Community centres
Community, government or private agency or organisation
Independent living accommodation
Residential aged care facilities
Key statutory and regulatory requirements may include those related to:
Building standards
Criminal acts
Discrimination and harassment
Equal employment opportunities
Freedom of information
Health records legislation
International and national standards
Mandatory reporting
Work health and safety (WHS)
Pharmaceutical benefits
Poisons and therapeutics
Privacy legislation
Public health
Registration and practice of health professionals
Residential and community services
Report may include:
Non-verbal (written):
case notes
incident reports
progress reports
Verbal:
face-to-face
telephone
Rights may include:
Access to services
Confidentiality
Dignity
Freedom of association
Informed choice
Privacy
Right to express ideas and opinions
To an agreed standard of care
To lodge a complaint
Rights are detailed in:
Accreditation standards
Industry and organisation codes of ethics and/or codes of conduct and practice
Industry and organisation service standards
International and national charters
Legislation
Units of competency
Principles of access and equity may include:
Creation of a client orientated culture
Non-discriminatory approach to all individuals using or accessing the service
Respect for individual differences
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
This unit may be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions
Essential knowledge covered in this unit is to be assessed before application in a work context, especially where client safety issues are involved
It is recommended that assessment or information for assessment will be conducted or gathered over a period of time and cover the normal range of workplace situations and settings
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 and/or simulation of realistic workplace setting where assessment can take place
relevant legislation and regulations, organisation policy, protocols and procedures
Method of assessment may include:
Case study and scenario analysis
Observation in the workplace
Questioning
Role play simulation
Written assignments/projects
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 may be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions
Essential knowledge covered in this unit is to be assessed before application in a work context, especially where client safety issues are involved
It is recommended that assessment or information for assessment will be conducted or gathered over a period of time and cover the normal range of workplace situations and settings
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 and/or simulation of realistic workplace setting where assessment can take place
relevant legislation and regulations, organisation policy, protocols and procedures
Method of assessment may include:
Case study and scenario analysis
Observation in the workplace
Questioning
Role play simulation
Written assignments/projects
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D8558 | CHCCS502B | Maintain legal and ethical work practices | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVB80 | CHCLEG003 | Manage legal and ethical compliance | Unit of competency |