Assessor Resource

CHCGMB503A
Provide counselling for clients with problem gambling issues

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit applies to workers in a range of community service sectors who may work with clients with problem gambling issues

This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to by a skilled counsellor in the problem gambling sector to work with clients experiencing a range opf problem gambling issues

It includes provision of support, working with complex issues and evaluation of client progress and the counselling process

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

Prerequisites

Not Applicable


Employability Skills

This unit contains Employability Skills




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.

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

It is recommended that assessment or information for assessment will be conducted or gathered over a period of time and cover the normal range of workplace situations and settings

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 or simulation of realistic workplace setting where assessment can take place

Method of assessment:

In cases where the learner does not have the opportunity to cover all relevant aspects in the work environment, the remainder should be assessed through realistic simulations, projects, previous relevant experience or oral questioning on 'What if?' scenarios

Assessment of this unit of competence will usually include observation of processes and procedures, oral and/or written questioning 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


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.

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:

Definition of problem gambling

Understanding of myths, chance, odds, randomness, gambling cycle

DSM and pathological gambling

Indicators of problem gambling

Self-exclusion options

Common consequences of gambling

Theories of gambling and range of models and techniques

Harm minimisation strategies directed to current problem gambling behaviour

Understanding individual's experience of gambling, including family history, culture, character issues, personality, intra-psychic and wider systems, meaning, purpose, function being served, exploring multiplicity of organising impulses

Knowledge of role and limitations

Systems e.g. as one family member changes the whole family system changes

Legal and government regulations

Motivational interviewing

Addressing underlying issues

Addressing cognitive processes

Affect management

Evidence-based practice

Family therapy

Behavioural interventions

Alternative coping strategies

Skills and 'strengths' building

Early intervention or short term programs

Comprehensive and longer care programs

Other therapeutic practices

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate appropriate counselling skills, harms minimisation and safety practicalities for clients with problem gambling issues

This includes the ability to:

Incorporate the complexity of client issues in counselling

Maintain the therapeutic relationship

Work with people who gamble to harmful levels and with their families and significant others

Review the counselling process

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:

Work within role and limitations

Demonstrate effective application of counselling skills

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.

Relevant and current information may include:

Accurate odds and nature of gambling activities

Cycle of problem gambling

Clients may include:

People who gamble (particularly those who engage in harmful levels of gambling)

Significant others, including partners, families and care-givers, friends and peers

Referral options may include:

Financial counselling

Legal counselling e.g. AVO's

Relationship issues

Family counselling

Self help groups

Group work programs

Local service availability

Medical /psychiatric

Employment

Accommodation

Residential programs

Practical strategies may include:

Self exclusion

Cutting up / deactivating credit cards e.g. freezing in ice

Third party care of personal finances

Implementing direct debits

Avoiding gambling venues

Avoiding gambling friends

Identifying alternative activities to gambling (creating pleasant event schedules, ringing G-line)

Not carrying money or credit cards

Setting boundaries and goals in relation to the problem gambler e.g. partner setting financial boundaries, person setting time limits

Family responsibilities (parenting child safety / protection)

Affect regulation strategies (stress and anxiety management, meditation)

Community involvement, participation and social action practice

Life style issues (life skills, job seeking and training)

Information and support may focus on:

Problem gambling

Financial counselling

Relationship issues

Couples counselling

Self help groups

Group work programs

Legal options e.g. AVOs

Protection of financial options e.g. caveats on assets

Support and self nurturing options

Self management strategies (awareness of enabling)

Responsibility / 'control' / behavioural contingency

Communication and assertiveness strategies

Setting boundaries and goals in relation to the problem gambler

Sector values may include:

Client oriented approach:

delivery of appropriate services

commitment to meeting the needs and upholding the rights of clients

commitment to empowering the client

duty of care

An appropriate framework which considers the effectiveness of treatment options

Processes that will help the gambler overcome their gambling problem

Community health:

promotion of health and well being

early identification of risk factors

early identification of health problems

Seeing gambling in a context of social and physical health

A focus on:

consumer protection, responsible gambling and responsible conduct of gambling

harm minimisation including harm prevention, harm reduction, health promotion and harm management

Confidentiality

Right to withdraw from treatment

Ethical treatment

Informed consent

Right to referral

Child protection

Context of gambling in the life of the client includes:

Culture

Values

Beliefs

Family background

Relationships

Grief and loss

Change processes includes:

Change and change back (maintaining a homeostatic balance - tendency to keep things the same)

Providing information about change

Counselling approaches must include an understanding of the following:

Cognitive processes

Affect management

Evidence-based practice

Underlying issues

Alternative coping strategies

Early intervention or short-term programs

Comprehensive and longer care programs

Skills and 'strengths' building

Intervention strategiesmustinclude understanding ofallthe following and use of one or more:

Evidence-based strategies including:

person-centred and holistic therapies

motivational interviewing

narrative therapy

cognitive behaviour therapy

solution focused/brief therapy

Other therapeutic practices with sound theoretical rationale (e.g. peer reviewed journals) including family therapy and transactional analysis

Understanding of the intervention strategy includes ability to critically review the approach including analysis of literature reviews

Ambivalence refers to:

A client having competing motives e.g. desire to gamble and also to stop gambling

Support family member or significant other includes:

Providing information about problem gambling

Addressing impact of gambling on them

Self protection strategies e.g. financial or safety

Working with family to orient focus from problem gambler to self (family member/s)

Helping them to set boundaries (not rescuing, assertiveness, communication skills, negotiation skills, enabling etc)

Working with the dynamics of couples and families and the impact of gambling

Regular review of client's progress includes:

Identification and acknowledgement of change in gambling and other areas

Review of the counselling process

Review of goals

Review of timelines

Achievement of goals

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
Provide relevant and current information on problem gambling and discuss with clients 
Provide immediate information, response or referral for crises arising from client's problem gambling and other issues 
Develop practical strategies to address immediate gambling concerns 
Provide information and support with daily living needs as required and in accordance with organisation policies, procedures and service guidelines 
Use counselling skills to explore the depth and nature of client's issues 
Ensure all work demonstrates commitment to sector values 
Explore a range of issues to understand client and their problem gambling issues 
Explore the function, purpose and context of gambling in the life of the client and its impact 
Negotiate goals and action plans with client and document in accordance with organisation policy and procedures 
Demonstrate understanding of the complexity and interrelated of issues in client's life 
Review range of models and techniques to meet client needs, including group activities 
Work with client to develop realistic expectations of counselling and change processes or choice 
Explore options for change or choice 
Demonstrate application of intervention strategies with a range of clients in a range of settings 
Ensure all work considers client's complexity, ambivalence and competing needs and wants 
Maintain engagement while resistance and defences are managed 
Apply relapse prevention and management principles and strategies 
Support family member or significant other as a client 
Explore boundary issues and challenges with client 
Consider impact on children and address as appropriate 
Work cooperatively with significant others, co-workers and other services to support client and consumer needs in accordance with organisation policies and procedures 
Implement processes to ensure regular review of client's progress 
Monitor progress against case plan and record and report according to organisation guidelines 
Ensure feedback mechanisms are in place in relation to recorded progress in accordance with organisation policies 
Implement follow up procedures where appropriate 
Negotiate revisions to action plans and timeframes as required and incorporate into case plan 
Review counselling process and outcomes of client work with supervisor and/or colleagues in accordance with organisation policies and procedures 
Negotiate exit with client and provide support in accordance with organisation policies, procedures and available resources 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CHCGMB503A - Provide counselling for clients with problem gambling issues
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Assessment Record Sheet

CHCGMB503A - Provide counselling for clients with problem gambling issues

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