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 of competence will be most appropriately assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions

Assessment may be conducted over one or more occasions and should include all aspects of case planning with a range of clients

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 where assessment can take place or simulation of realistic workplace setting

Method of assessment:

Assessment may include observation, questioning and evidence gathered from the workplace environment

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Essential knowledge:

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

These include knowledge of:

Behaviour change models and practices

Organisation procedures and standards

Formal meeting processes

Relevant policy, procedures, legislation and statutory mandates

Cultural protocols and systems

Family structure, dynamics, communication and decision-making

Relevant documentation protocols

Range of available services

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Access and use a range of family and community resources

Identify and gain agreement on role boundaries

Facilitate groups and support participants to engage in information sharing and planning

Apply organisation statutory and legislative requirements

In addition, the candidate must be able to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

These include the ability to:

Demonstrate application of skills in:

Planning, decision-making and goal setting

Managing group dynamics

Conflict resolution, negotiation and (where required) mediation techniques

Defining boundaries

Planning and goal setting

Facilitation

Assertion

High level writing skills

Interpersonal and communication

Supervision and delegation where appropriate to job role

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.

The contexts for facilitation of information sharing and planning include:

All formal processes included in case management e.g. case conferences, case review meetings, formal briefings on client progress

Evaluating ongoing implementation includes:

Monitoring case plan implementation

Facilitating review activities and feedback from workers on progress of intervention

Liaison with service providers, clients, significant others

Advising on how case plans can be modified, ensuring that changes are communicated appropriately

Complex or high risk situations are to be defined as:

Life threatening/high risk situations

Cases where at least three of the following factors are combined:

serious/sustained abuse

multiple difficulties present in family

intellectual or psychiatric disability

chronic and serious drug addiction affecting individuals capacity

Where a wide range of other agencies are involved, e.g. community services, legal, medical and police agencies

Where involvement of protective and custodial agencies with the family has been over a lengthy and sustained period

When age of the client creates special considerations

Cases with high public/political sensitivity requiring sensitive and experienced case investigation and management

Negotiate actions includes:

Gaining agreement on course of actions, goal setting, milestone setting and agreement, timeline setting, establishment of review points in case plan