Assessor Resource

CHCFAM001
Operate in a family law environment

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to determine and respond to family law requirements, work collaboratively within the family law system, and contribute to improved work practices linked to family law.

This unit applies to family relationship counsellors, family dispute resolution practitioners, children’s contact service workers, intake workers and other service providers working in the context of family law.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand Standards and industry codes of practice.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements define the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Determine and respond to family law requirements

1.1 Identify, access and interpret sources of information on family law and related areas

1.2 Evaluate own area of work and determine the scope of family law requirements for individual practice

1.3 Use and follow the systems, processes, documentation and reporting requirements of family law

1.4 Provide accurate and current information to clients about family law and available support options

1.5 Identify situations beyond own expertise and seek, or refer clients to, sources of specialist legal advice

2. Collaborate with others in the family law system

2.1 Identify and establish effective working relationships with colleagues in the family law system

2.2 Negotiate and liaise with other areas of the family law system according to specific client needs

2.3 Promote cooperation with other professionals and encourage clients to use other professional resources where appropriate

3. Contribute to workplace improvements

3.1 Pro-actively update and maintain currency of family law knowledge

3.2 Identify situations where work practices could be improved to meet family law responsibilities

3.3 Pro-actively share feedback with colleagues

3.4 Identify and take opportunities to contribute to the review and development of policies and protocols

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:

• correctly applied family law to at least 5 different client situations, that individually or cumulatively include needs relating to:

• domestic and family violence/safety

• finance

• property

• children

• relationship conflict

• demonstrated effective use of the following in the context of family law:

• systems and process

• documentation

• reporting

• collaboration with others in the system

• developed appropriate responses to at least 5 different legal or ethical dilemmas in the family law context

• identified and analysed at least 3 work practices in terms of how they meet family law responsibilities and what improvements could be made.

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

• the different points at which services may be provided in the family law context, including:

• prevention

• assessment

• intervention and support services

• different client needs within the family law context, and how to respond, including to matters relating to:

• domestic and family violence/safety

• finance

• property

• children

• relationship conflict

• systems and processes within the family law environment

• Commonwealth family law legislation, how this is applied in organisations and in individual practice, including:

• Family Law Act 1975 – Part II (Family dispute resolution and confidentiality and inadmissibility provisions), Part IIIA (obligations re provision of certain information to clients), Part IIIB (Court may refer parties to family counselling, FDR and other family services), Part VII (Children – outlines section 60I requirements, mandatory reporting of child abuse requirements) and Part VIII (Property, spousal maintenance and maintenance agreements).

• Family Law Legislation Amendment (Superannuation) Act 2001 and Regulations – deals with splitting of superannuation benefits

• Family Law (Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners) Regulations 2008 – sets out accreditation requirements and obligations for FDRPs.

• Family Law Regulations 1984 – sets out amongst other things what prescribed information (about non-court based family services and court processes and services, reconciliation, Part VII proceedings) ‘advisors’ should be giving clients.

• Commonwealth child support legislation, how this is applied in organisations and in individual practice, including:

• the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 and Regulations – set out the law about eligibility to receive, and liability to pay, child support and establishes the authority of the Child Support Agency)

• the Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 and Regulations – set out the law about registration requirements for paying maintenance of various types, including child support, and the means by which the Child Support Agency can enforce payment

• Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 – subject to exceptions, gives a legal right of access to information held by Commonwealth agencies (departments and agencies).

• Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988 – regulates the handling of personal information about individuals, this includes the collection, use, storage and disclosure of personal information, and access to and correction of that information

• Commonwealth – legislation about court rules and procedures:

• Federal Circuit Court of Australia Act 1999 – creates the Federal Circuit Court of Australia and was originally established to fast track some of the matters covered under the Family Law Act as well as other areas of federal law such as bankruptcy.

• Family Court Rules – provide the detail of the main aspects of practice, procedure and evidence in a case before the Family Court

• Family Court Regulations 1984 – set out the details for a range of matters including fees, parentage testing and overseas orders

• Federal Circuit Court Rules 2001 – set out the rules and forms that apply in the Federal Circuit Court

• Federal Court and Federal Circuit Court Regulations 2012 – deals with the fees in the Federal Circuit Court

• state and territory legislation about family violence – the illegality of family violence and other specific forms of protection against it

• state and territory de facto property legislation at an overview level

• duty of care requirements when working with families in the family law system.

• roles and responsibilities of different people working in the family law context and the nature of collaboration between them

• where to seek expert clarification of family law

• family dynamics in different cultures and how this may impact on provision of services

• referral options and systems available to clients whose needs may best be met by other services or experts.

Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions. The following conditions must be met for this unit:

use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:

current family law information

client information

modelling of industry operating conditions, including:

scenarios that involve problem-solving.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements define the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Determine and respond to family law requirements

1.1 Identify, access and interpret sources of information on family law and related areas

1.2 Evaluate own area of work and determine the scope of family law requirements for individual practice

1.3 Use and follow the systems, processes, documentation and reporting requirements of family law

1.4 Provide accurate and current information to clients about family law and available support options

1.5 Identify situations beyond own expertise and seek, or refer clients to, sources of specialist legal advice

2. Collaborate with others in the family law system

2.1 Identify and establish effective working relationships with colleagues in the family law system

2.2 Negotiate and liaise with other areas of the family law system according to specific client needs

2.3 Promote cooperation with other professionals and encourage clients to use other professional resources where appropriate

3. Contribute to workplace improvements

3.1 Pro-actively update and maintain currency of family law knowledge

3.2 Identify situations where work practices could be improved to meet family law responsibilities

3.3 Pro-actively share feedback with colleagues

3.4 Identify and take opportunities to contribute to the review and development of policies and protocols

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:

• correctly applied family law to at least 5 different client situations, that individually or cumulatively include needs relating to:

• domestic and family violence/safety

• finance

• property

• children

• relationship conflict

• demonstrated effective use of the following in the context of family law:

• systems and process

• documentation

• reporting

• collaboration with others in the system

• developed appropriate responses to at least 5 different legal or ethical dilemmas in the family law context

• identified and analysed at least 3 work practices in terms of how they meet family law responsibilities and what improvements could be made.

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

• the different points at which services may be provided in the family law context, including:

• prevention

• assessment

• intervention and support services

• different client needs within the family law context, and how to respond, including to matters relating to:

• domestic and family violence/safety

• finance

• property

• children

• relationship conflict

• systems and processes within the family law environment

• Commonwealth family law legislation, how this is applied in organisations and in individual practice, including:

• Family Law Act 1975 – Part II (Family dispute resolution and confidentiality and inadmissibility provisions), Part IIIA (obligations re provision of certain information to clients), Part IIIB (Court may refer parties to family counselling, FDR and other family services), Part VII (Children – outlines section 60I requirements, mandatory reporting of child abuse requirements) and Part VIII (Property, spousal maintenance and maintenance agreements).

• Family Law Legislation Amendment (Superannuation) Act 2001 and Regulations – deals with splitting of superannuation benefits

• Family Law (Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners) Regulations 2008 – sets out accreditation requirements and obligations for FDRPs.

• Family Law Regulations 1984 – sets out amongst other things what prescribed information (about non-court based family services and court processes and services, reconciliation, Part VII proceedings) ‘advisors’ should be giving clients.

• Commonwealth child support legislation, how this is applied in organisations and in individual practice, including:

• the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 and Regulations – set out the law about eligibility to receive, and liability to pay, child support and establishes the authority of the Child Support Agency)

• the Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 and Regulations – set out the law about registration requirements for paying maintenance of various types, including child support, and the means by which the Child Support Agency can enforce payment

• Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 – subject to exceptions, gives a legal right of access to information held by Commonwealth agencies (departments and agencies).

• Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988 – regulates the handling of personal information about individuals, this includes the collection, use, storage and disclosure of personal information, and access to and correction of that information

• Commonwealth – legislation about court rules and procedures:

• Federal Circuit Court of Australia Act 1999 – creates the Federal Circuit Court of Australia and was originally established to fast track some of the matters covered under the Family Law Act as well as other areas of federal law such as bankruptcy.

• Family Court Rules – provide the detail of the main aspects of practice, procedure and evidence in a case before the Family Court

• Family Court Regulations 1984 – set out the details for a range of matters including fees, parentage testing and overseas orders

• Federal Circuit Court Rules 2001 – set out the rules and forms that apply in the Federal Circuit Court

• Federal Court and Federal Circuit Court Regulations 2012 – deals with the fees in the Federal Circuit Court

• state and territory legislation about family violence – the illegality of family violence and other specific forms of protection against it

• state and territory de facto property legislation at an overview level

• duty of care requirements when working with families in the family law system.

• roles and responsibilities of different people working in the family law context and the nature of collaboration between them

• where to seek expert clarification of family law

• family dynamics in different cultures and how this may impact on provision of services

• referral options and systems available to clients whose needs may best be met by other services or experts.

Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions. The following conditions must be met for this unit:

use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:

current family law information

client information

modelling of industry operating conditions, including:

scenarios that involve problem-solving.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
 
Identify, access and interpret sources of information on family law and related areas 
Evaluate own area of work and determine the scope of family law requirements for individual practice 
Use and follow the systems, processes, documentation and reporting requirements of family law 
Provide accurate and current information to clients about family law and available support options 
Identify situations beyond own expertise and seek, or refer clients to, sources of specialist legal advice 
Identify and establish effective working relationships with colleagues in the family law system 
Negotiate and liaise with other areas of the family law system according to specific client needs 
Promote cooperation with other professionals and encourage clients to use other professional resources where appropriate 
Pro-actively update and maintain currency of family law knowledge 
Identify situations where work practices could be improved to meet family law responsibilities 
Pro-actively share feedback with colleagues 
Identify and take opportunities to contribute to the review and development of policies and protocols 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CHCFAM001 - Operate in a family law environment
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

CHCFAM001 - Operate in a family law environment

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: