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:
legal and ethical considerations for child-focused practice, and how these are applied in organisations and individual practice:
codes of conduct
discrimination
duty of care
human rights, including:
- child rights to protection
- active right to participate
- right to choose course of action and make decision at their level of ability in any planning processes
mandatory reporting
privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
records management
rights and responsibilities of workers, employers and clients
specific legislative frameworks that apply to child-focused practice, including:
- principles and practice standards for working within the child’s best interests as stated in Family Law Act
- the key components of, and differences between, child-focused practice and child inclusive practice, and when they are used
- types of court orders that may influence the delivery of services
work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations, including the separate role of child consultants and when this may be appropriate
work health and safety
case management principles of assessment, planning, monitoring and review
stages of child development and relevance to work with vulnerable children
attachment and family systems theories and how these are applied to working with vulnerable and traumatised children
importance of peer relationships for vulnerable and isolated children
principles of empowerment and application of these to work practice
types of issues that are important to children in situations involving family conflict
equipment, activities and resources that support engagement with children
indicators of abuse, types of abuse, children who are particularly vulnerable and reporting systems
indicators, effects and dynamics on family relationships, and implications for children of:
conflict
family violence and abuse
substance use
mental illness
disability
separation and divorce
trauma
parenting and family dynamics in different cultures
service options for referral to relationship support and interventions services
concepts of parent alienation in separation and divorce and their application to work
effects of loss, grief and depression on children experiencing family conflict
indicators of, and responses to, child anxiety including childhood resilience
ways that parents may make inappropriate attempts to exchange information
strategies to manage inter parental disputes including:
ensuring safety of vulnerable clients
using assertiveness and negation skills
modelling
reinforcing the organisations policy on rights and responsibilities of both clients and workers
undertaking risk assessments for vulnerability
re-focusing attention on child’s expressed wants and needs.