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.


Cultural respect
This unit of competency supports the recognition, protection and continued advancement of the inherent rights, cultures and traditions of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples
It recognises that the improvement of the health and well being status of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people must include attention to physical, spiritual, cultural, emotional and social well being, community capacity, self-determination and governance
Its application must be culturally sensitive and supportive of traditional healing and health, knowledge and practices


The history of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people includes:
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander customs and lifestyle before European colonisation
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander experience of colonisation and invasion
Post-colonial legacy of social and economic disadvantage
Survival and maintenance of culture, kinship and connection with the land
Evolution and scope of the role of the Aboriginal health worker up to the contemporary context


Community control refers to:
Community participation and control in decision-making is essential to all aspects of community services work, and the role of the community services worker is to support the community and/or key decision-makers in this process
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community control is:
the guiding principle and model for the delivery of services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
a sector of the Australian community services industry with its own history
a practice which underpins Aboriginal community strengthening and survival
a statement of self-determination


Agencies and associated community services may include:
Community controlled health services
Women's/men's centres
Government health services
Welfare agencies
Emergency services
Police
Education and training organisations
Non-government and private enterprise
Community Government Councils
Elected community organisations
Homeland/outstation service providers
Churches


Cultural safety refers to:
Maintaining the traditional and contemporary protection of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities':
intellectual property
human rights
resources
ownership of materials
Community and self-protection of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander workers


Cultural factors that may produce stress include:
Community and/or own expectations that may involve, for example:
extended work hours
functions outside health work role
unrealistic accountability/responsibility for resolving community problems
community and family pressures
conflict between work role and community and family responsibilities
Multiple accountabilities to employer, family, personal and community
Conflict between community and family responsibilities and obligations and work role


Organisation policies and regulatory requirements may include:
Privacy and confidentiality guidelines
Treatment manuals
Work health and safety (WHS) guidelines
Infection control guidelines


Barriers to access and equity in relation to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander services may include:
Racism, including community and institutionalised racism
Discrimination
Socioeconomic status
Access to essential services and infrastructure
Lack of coordination of government at all levels
Inadequate resources/funding
Lack of community control and ownership
Lack of political leverage
Language barriers
Disease focus of mainstream health care delivery
Differences in concept of ill health
Geographic access to Primary Health Care and specialist health services
Cultural barriers, such as family and kinship barriers
Language/literacy


Social, political, economic and environmental factors that impact on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health include:
Health outcomes
Stolen generations
Colonisation and invasion
Land rights and native title
Dispossession
Acts of government including assimilation policies
Racism and discrimination
Media
Employment
Poverty
Mortality/morbidity
Police-community relations
Housing
Education
Substance misuse
Acculturation
Political leverage
Levels of unintentional injury


Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community service, strategies, policies and resources may include:
National, state/territory and regional Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander strategies, policies, joint planning bodies relevant to a range of community services
National Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisation and their state/territory affiliates
Resources available nationally, locally and at the state/territory level

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 of assessment:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace setting under the normal range of workplace conditions
Assessment must demonstrate consistency of application of skills and knowledge described in this unit of competency


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/or Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on Aboriginal and/or 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