Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range Statement explains the scope and context of the unit of competency allowing for differences between workplaces. The scope of variables chosen for training and assessment requirements will depend on the particular work situation.

Work may relate to:
Specific groups, issues or communities eg. Health issues of young people from particular cultural, religious, sub-cultural backgrounds and/or geographical areas
Monitoring, evaluation and research activities
Policy development
Primary intervention and assessment
Advocacy
Individual casework
Community development
Referrals
Child protection work
Provision of information/materials
Service development towards systems change
Project development and implementation

Client/s could include:
Individuals (inclusive of children, youth, adults and the aged)
Those referred or self-referred
Voluntary and involuntary
People with specific needs seeking access to services
Survivors/victims of domestic violence, their families and friends
Users of violence and their families

Underpinning values and philosophies in responding to domestic and family violence include:
The safety and wellbeing of those subjected to domestic violence must be the first priority of any response
All individuals have the right to be free from violence
The community has a responsibility to work toward the prevention of domestic violence and to demonstrate the unacceptability of all forms of domestic violence
All forms of domestic violence are unacceptable in any group, culture or creed
Those who use violence should take responsibility for their behaviour and have access to programs to assist them change their behaviour to ensure the safety of their family
A commitment to meeting the needs and upholding the rights of clients
A commitment to empowering those affected by domestic violence
Domestic violence is widespread and complex
Domestic violence impacts on the physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being and safety of individuals in families
Domestic violence and abuse has devastating effects on family members and results in significant social and economic costs to the community

Social, historical, political and economic context:
Statutory framework within which work takes place
Historical context of work eg. Changing attitudes to domestic violence; changing approaches to working with people affected by domestic violence
Changing social context of work eg. Previous, current and changing government and societal views of domestic violence and approaches to working with clients
Political context eg. Government policies and initiatives affecting domestic violence work
Economic context eg. The current economic situation as it relates to and affects domestic violence and the subsequent impact on client needs and the effects of economic deprivation and control on clients attempting to escape domestic violence

Support processes will need to include at least one of the following:
Counselling
Performance feedback
Debriefing
Training and development
Supervision

Rights and responsibilities may include:
Rights of safety
Rights under common law
Rights outlined under relevant standards/principles and charters (eg. Un declaration on rights of the child)
Rights under the constitution
Rights and responsibilities under legislation (eg. Freedom of information legislation, child protection act)
Guidelines relating to parameters of confidentiality/client consent
Worker's code of ethics
Rights of victim to crime compensation

Interpersonal skills may include:

Means by which an emotionally safe and empathic environment is created

Means for communicating with people with disabilities or where English is not the first language

Methods of communicating with different age, religious, gender and sexual identity groups

Non-judgemental communication techniques

Using strategies that empower client to ensure safety of client and family

Cultural, sub-cultural awareness/sensitivity

Demonstrating empathy

Using appropriate body language

Reflecting, summarising and paraphrasing

Asking open-ended questions

The ability to ask direct questions about violence in a sensitive and appropriate way

Using conflict management skills if appropriate

Recognition of client/worker power differences

Maintaining confidentiality

If needed, use of a qualified interpreter whose involvement will not jeopardise the safety of the client or client's family

Active listening

Specific needs relating to clients may include, but are not limited to those:
Who have a disability
Who come from diverse cultural and sub-cultural backgrounds
Whose preferred or main language is not english
Who are aged or young
Who live in a remote or rural location
Who are in same-sex relationships
Who are of a particular gender
With a dual diagnosis
Whose religious beliefs or practices need to be considered
Who have addiction or dependency issues
Who have mental health issues
Who come from an aboriginal background

Who come from a Torres Strait Islander background

Interviews and interactions with clients can be either informal or formal and include:
Scheduled or impromptu
Via telephone or in person
Separate interviews
Through a qualified interpreter whose involvement will not jeopardise the safety of the client or client's family
Other specialist assistance
Those conducted in a safe environment which encourages disclosure when appropriate

Organisational standards and procedures may include those relating to:
Client and worker safety
Collection and storage of information
Client interview protocols and procedures
Code of conduct/code of ethics
Principles and implementation of duty of care and rights of client to self determination
Departmental, inter-departmental regulations, protocols and procedures relevant to work role and responsibilities
Inter-agency practice and protocols
Use of interpreter and interpreter services
Organisational mission statement and/or philosophy
Eligibility criteria for accessing particular services
Completion of forms and applications
Guidelines relating to confidentiality/client consent
Occupational health and safety
Debriefing and supervision
Industry standards

Legislative and statutory requirements may include:
Relevant State/Territory/Commonwealth legislation (eg. Domestic Violence, Guardianship, Disability Services, Immigration, Anti-Discrimination, Child Protection, Legal Practice legislation)
International conventions relating to the rights of children and young people
Relevant international conventions on civil and human rights
Freedom of Information legislation

Client needs/services and or strategies could include, but are not limited to:
Safety, physical and emotional security
Assistance to gain economic support
Protection from financial exploitation
Immediate and appropriate responses which aim to ensure/maintain safety
Legal or medical information and support
Accommodation/transportation
Access to services/information
Counselling (individual, family or group focused)
Referrals to specialist services
Referrals to community support and/or education groups
Establishment of community networks
Domestic violence awareness raising programs
Provision of assistance to address issues, gather information and locate other resources
Advocacy

Mechanisms that could be used to collect information could include:
Interviews with clients, family, significant others and carers
Questionnaires
Applications and other forms
Case documentation
Using specialist communicators
Classification tools
Client consent (verbal or written)
Information from professionals including medical reports
Information from service providers
Previous file records

Risk may refer to client, client's family and/or worker and be indicated by the following:
Self identification of risk
Evidence of physical injuries
Threat to safety
Current or previous criminal charges for assault of client by partner/ex-partner
Current or previous police involvement
Objective assessment of client's current ability to protect self and children from further assault or harm
Threat or attempts to self-harm
Feelings of depression, anger, low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, emotional distress or sleep disturbances
Medical problems such as overuse of tranquillisers, or alcohol, drug or substance abuse
Intimidation and harassment
Client being denied access to funds, resources or medications
Existing or previous orders relating to domestic violence (eg. Apprehended violence order), or breach of orders
Avoidance of discussion regarding possible abuse
Implausible explanation for injuries
Repeated requests for financial assistance
Other factors that may indicate a history of violence
Children's behaviour and developmental level
Current behaviours of user of violence
Frequent hospital visits/admissions
Current or previous separation
Family court and/or relationship history
Implied or actual threats to harm the worker by user of violence

Appropriate persons may include:
Organisational management, colleagues, supervisor, team members
Acknowledged domestic violence issue specialists
Various community groups representing cultural, sub-cultural, religious, social, ethnic, gender, sexual identity, and age groupings within the community
Government representatives and service providers
Police
Family members, friends, care-givers
Specialist support services for people with specific needs
Behaviour change groups, such as users of violence groups, drug and alcohol groups
Support groups such as survivors/victims of violence groups, community houses, women's networks and refuges, professional associations
Authorities responsible for provision of community and justice administration services, for example, local councils, legal services, such as legal aid, and state and commonwealth agencies

The Evidence Guide identifies the critical aspects of assessment, and the essential knowledge and skills to be demonstrated to confirm competency in this unit. The Evidence Guide is an integral part of the assessment of competency and it should be read carefully in conjunction with the Range Statement, elements and performance criteria.
Critical aspects of assessment:
Assessment must confirm sufficient ability to use appropriate interpersonal skills and general knowledge to identify and respond in an appropriate manner to domestic violence.
Assessment of performance should be over a period of time covering all categories within the Range Statement statements that are applicable in the learning environment.

In particular, assessment must confirm the ability to:

Maintain confidentiality and manage subtleties of confidentiality whilst following policy and procedures in all aspects of responding to domestic violence
Establish confidence with clients through appropriate interpersonal styles and methods
Identify and assess client needs including consideration of the physical and emotional safety of clients and their family
Assist clients to select appropriate services from a range provided by the organisation and other agencies which match client needs
Depending on the work program or services provided apply specific knowledge of particular groups or issues (eg. Alcohol and other drugs, same-sex relationships, religious, survivors/victims, users of violence, ATSI, mental health, NESB etc.)
Interpret accurately and comply with legal and procedural requirements
Understand limitations of their own work role and responsibilities in relation to service delivery
Refer clients to other relevant agencies in a professional manner giving enough relevant information to maximise the possibility of the client taking up the referral

Essential knowledge:
Understanding of the prevalence of myths, unhelpful beliefs, attitudes and practices in the broader society regarding domestic violence and their effects on individuals' rights to safety and autonomy
Understanding of current organisational procedures, practices and standards for client assessment, allocation of services, case management, interviewing, code of conduct, confidentiality, use of resources, programmed intervention and duty of care requirements
Understanding of legal obligations, particularly in relation to child protection issues
Knowledge of the various groups represented within the local community (eg. Cultural, religious, language, sexual identity, age and disability) and an understanding of the issues that arise when working with those groups
Knowledge of the appropriate range of referral sources and associated protocols
Knowledge of legislative requirements and provisions relevant to area of service delivery and delegated responsibility
Awareness of own values and attitudes and their potential impact on clients
Understanding of specific limitations of work role, responsibility and professional abilities.

Essential skills:
Response skills, for example, responding sensitively and appropriately to disclosure, responding sensitively to cultural issues, and maintaining confidentiality for people who have experienced domestic violence.
Questioning and active listening skills that establish client confidence and facilitate disclosure
Problem solving skills for a defined range of predictable problems, for example when client needs are identified as lying outside a worker's particular professional role the worker should offer the client accurate and current information about appropriate services and providers
Collaboration skills between worker, client, client's family and co-workers and with other service providers
Ability to validate client's experience of violence
Literacy and communication skills in relation to analysis, evaluation and presentation of information including preparing documents and reports related to client needs and service delivery issues

Resource implications:
Where assessment is conducted within the workplace there are no resource implications above those normally available in the workplace.
Where assessment is conducted in a simulated or non-workplace environment then access to the necessary equipment and research resources should be provided. Access to simulated exercises, case studies related to service delivery issues will also be required if non-workplace assessment paths are utilised.

Consistency in performance:
Evidence of competency in this unit will need to be assessed over a period of time in order to gather evidence of performance over the Range Statement. This will include contexts applicable to the work environment, such as actual or simulated workplace situations involving a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary forms of evidence.

Context of assessment:
Evidence will be determined by selection from the Range Statement, justified in terms of work requirements, work roles and responsibilities and occupational specialisations.

Evidence for assessment of competence may be gathered by appropriate combination of the following:
Demonstration of competency within the working environment in identifying and responding to domestic violence
Where there is not an opportunity to cover all of the range Statement statements in the work environment, the remainder should be assessed through realistic simulations, projects, previous relevant experience or oral questioning on "what if?" Scenarios
Observation of processes and procedures, oral and/or written questions 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 locations, any evidence should be authenticated by colleagues, supervisors, clients or other appropriate persons
Review of any documentation produced by the candidate related to identifying and responding to domestic violence.