Assessor Resource

CHCGRP005
Plan and provide group counselling

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to plan for group counselling, develop a therapeutic alliance for change with the group, manage the group process and evaluate the outcomes of group counselling sessions. It goes beyond psycho-educational group work.

This unit applies to family relationship counsellors who operate with significant autonomy in therapeutic professional service roles in the community sector. The activity is self-directed.

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. Plan for group counselling

1.1 Develop criteria for appropriate participant selection

1.2 Implement ethical processes for participant selectionaccording to nature of the intervention and individual client needs

1.3 Document and record member selection process in line with established practice and organisation procedures

1.4 Identify a suitable supervisor for group counselling and negotiate a supervision plan based on the planned counselling and participate profile

2. Develop a therapeutic alliance for interpersonal learning and change

2.1 Establish agreements with group members about the way that the group will operate

2.2 Develop goals for and with the counselling group according to the nature and needs of the group

2.3 Share information that prepares group members for participation in the group process

2.4 Develop appropriate safety measures between the group and group leader

2.5 Reflect on and respond to potential influence of own values on group participants

3. Manage the group counselling process

3.1 Model and encourage respectful communication within the group that addresses the diversity of participant needs

3.2 Manage key transitions and stages of group development using established group work practices and engagement strategies

3.3 Facilitate the group in ways that assist participants to develop connections with each other and with their own thoughts, feelings and actions

3.4 Use strategies that assist group members to develop self awareness, awareness of change and their use of defences

3.5 Identify and manage issues of transference and counter transference

3.6 Identify and manage conflictand negative behaviours constructively

3.7 Monitor the therapeutic alliance at an individual and whole-of-group level

3.8 Facilitate group member debriefing according to individual needs

3.9 Document observations and outcomes of sessions according to professional standards and organisation requirements

4. Evaluate and reflect on group counselling

4.1 Evaluate group member patterns of improvement and change according to individual and group goals

4.2 Use evaluation processes that allow group members to provide feedback

4.3 Integrate evaluation of group counselling sessions into a broader reflective practice framework

4.4 Participate in supervision according to planned approaches and apply learning to future work

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:

planned, facilitated and evaluated at least 3 different group counselling sessions, each with a minimum group size of 5 people

facilitated sessions that individually or cumulatively involve:

sessions with varied goals

participants of different genders ages

participants with different issues and challenges

managed the group counselling process according to established group work principles using the following communication and counselling skills:

challenging

collaboration

conflict resolution

different styles of group leadership

effective non-verbal communication

empathetic responding

focusing

listening

negotiation

paraphrasing

reframing

questioning

summarising

techniques for maintaining group cohesion

completed a structured process of evaluation and reflection for at least 3 group counselling sessions.

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 group counselling work, and how these are applied in organisations and individual practice:

codes of conduct

discrimination

duty of care

ethical dilemmas in practice, and processes for ethical decision-making

mandatory reporting

practitioner client boundaries and implications of unequal balance of power

privacy, confidentiality and disclosure, including limitations

records management

work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations of group interventions

work health and safety, including:

stress management

supervision requirements for group counselling work

nature of complex interpersonal interactions and relationship, including:

abuse

conflict

power balances

how these play out in group situations

systemic therapeutic group work interventions and their application and evidence base:

cognitive/behavioural

solution focused

systemic approaches

mutual aid model

strengths, limitations, and contraindications of specific group counselling models, including risks of harm associated with models that incorporate assumptions of family dysfunction, pathogenesis, or cultural deficit

how group counselling may be used at the:

individual level

sub group level

whole-of-group level

processes, practices and factors for consideration in selecting participants for group counselling

types of information and supports needed to prepare participants for group counselling

models, theories, principles and practices of group work, including:

establishing agreements about how the group will operate and guidelines for behaviour

different stages of group development

different types of group leadership

uses and abuse of group techniques

responses to disclosures in groups

management of conflict and challenging behaviour

strategies for learning and change

transference and counter transference issues that arise in group counselling and how to manage these

group and individual defences and how these can be managed

communication and counselling techniques and how they are applied in the group process:

challenging

collaboration

conflict resolution

effective non-verbal communication

empathetic responding

focusing

listening

negotiation

paraphrasing

reframing

questioning

summarising

factors that affect the dynamics of a group, including:

attempted sabotage of process

avoidance of discussion of conflict

challenging feedback

conflict between or among participants/ facilitators

group splitting

inappropriate use of behaviour or relationships

manipulation of other participants

challenges and mistakes in leading counselling groups and strategies for how to address and avoid these

methods for measuring effectiveness of group counselling interventions

role of reflective practice and the nature of a counselling reflective practice framework

referral sources for group members in need of additional services

role and importance of self awareness and influence of own beliefs and attitudes.

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:

group member information

organisation policies and procedures

modelling of industry operating conditions, including:

scenarios that involve groups comprising at least 5 people.

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. Plan for group counselling

1.1 Develop criteria for appropriate participant selection

1.2 Implement ethical processes for participant selectionaccording to nature of the intervention and individual client needs

1.3 Document and record member selection process in line with established practice and organisation procedures

1.4 Identify a suitable supervisor for group counselling and negotiate a supervision plan based on the planned counselling and participate profile

2. Develop a therapeutic alliance for interpersonal learning and change

2.1 Establish agreements with group members about the way that the group will operate

2.2 Develop goals for and with the counselling group according to the nature and needs of the group

2.3 Share information that prepares group members for participation in the group process

2.4 Develop appropriate safety measures between the group and group leader

2.5 Reflect on and respond to potential influence of own values on group participants

3. Manage the group counselling process

3.1 Model and encourage respectful communication within the group that addresses the diversity of participant needs

3.2 Manage key transitions and stages of group development using established group work practices and engagement strategies

3.3 Facilitate the group in ways that assist participants to develop connections with each other and with their own thoughts, feelings and actions

3.4 Use strategies that assist group members to develop self awareness, awareness of change and their use of defences

3.5 Identify and manage issues of transference and counter transference

3.6 Identify and manage conflictand negative behaviours constructively

3.7 Monitor the therapeutic alliance at an individual and whole-of-group level

3.8 Facilitate group member debriefing according to individual needs

3.9 Document observations and outcomes of sessions according to professional standards and organisation requirements

4. Evaluate and reflect on group counselling

4.1 Evaluate group member patterns of improvement and change according to individual and group goals

4.2 Use evaluation processes that allow group members to provide feedback

4.3 Integrate evaluation of group counselling sessions into a broader reflective practice framework

4.4 Participate in supervision according to planned approaches and apply learning to future work

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:

planned, facilitated and evaluated at least 3 different group counselling sessions, each with a minimum group size of 5 people

facilitated sessions that individually or cumulatively involve:

sessions with varied goals

participants of different genders ages

participants with different issues and challenges

managed the group counselling process according to established group work principles using the following communication and counselling skills:

challenging

collaboration

conflict resolution

different styles of group leadership

effective non-verbal communication

empathetic responding

focusing

listening

negotiation

paraphrasing

reframing

questioning

summarising

techniques for maintaining group cohesion

completed a structured process of evaluation and reflection for at least 3 group counselling sessions.

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 group counselling work, and how these are applied in organisations and individual practice:

codes of conduct

discrimination

duty of care

ethical dilemmas in practice, and processes for ethical decision-making

mandatory reporting

practitioner client boundaries and implications of unequal balance of power

privacy, confidentiality and disclosure, including limitations

records management

work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations of group interventions

work health and safety, including:

stress management

supervision requirements for group counselling work

nature of complex interpersonal interactions and relationship, including:

abuse

conflict

power balances

how these play out in group situations

systemic therapeutic group work interventions and their application and evidence base:

cognitive/behavioural

solution focused

systemic approaches

mutual aid model

strengths, limitations, and contraindications of specific group counselling models, including risks of harm associated with models that incorporate assumptions of family dysfunction, pathogenesis, or cultural deficit

how group counselling may be used at the:

individual level

sub group level

whole-of-group level

processes, practices and factors for consideration in selecting participants for group counselling

types of information and supports needed to prepare participants for group counselling

models, theories, principles and practices of group work, including:

establishing agreements about how the group will operate and guidelines for behaviour

different stages of group development

different types of group leadership

uses and abuse of group techniques

responses to disclosures in groups

management of conflict and challenging behaviour

strategies for learning and change

transference and counter transference issues that arise in group counselling and how to manage these

group and individual defences and how these can be managed

communication and counselling techniques and how they are applied in the group process:

challenging

collaboration

conflict resolution

effective non-verbal communication

empathetic responding

focusing

listening

negotiation

paraphrasing

reframing

questioning

summarising

factors that affect the dynamics of a group, including:

attempted sabotage of process

avoidance of discussion of conflict

challenging feedback

conflict between or among participants/ facilitators

group splitting

inappropriate use of behaviour or relationships

manipulation of other participants

challenges and mistakes in leading counselling groups and strategies for how to address and avoid these

methods for measuring effectiveness of group counselling interventions

role of reflective practice and the nature of a counselling reflective practice framework

referral sources for group members in need of additional services

role and importance of self awareness and influence of own beliefs and attitudes.

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:

group member information

organisation policies and procedures

modelling of industry operating conditions, including:

scenarios that involve groups comprising at least 5 people.

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
 
Develop criteria for appropriate participant selection 
Implement ethical processes for participant selectionaccording to nature of the intervention and individual client needs 
Document and record member selection process in line with established practice and organisation procedures 
Identify a suitable supervisor for group counselling and negotiate a supervision plan based on the planned counselling and participate profile 
Establish agreements with group members about the way that the group will operate 
Develop goals for and with the counselling group according to the nature and needs of the group 
Share information that prepares group members for participation in the group process 
Develop appropriate safety measures between the group and group leader 
Reflect on and respond to potential influence of own values on group participants 
Model and encourage respectful communication within the group that addresses the diversity of participant needs 
Manage key transitions and stages of group development using established group work practices and engagement strategies 
Facilitate the group in ways that assist participants to develop connections with each other and with their own thoughts, feelings and actions 
Use strategies that assist group members to develop self awareness, awareness of change and their use of defences 
Identify and manage issues of transference and counter transference 
Identify and manage conflictand negative behaviours constructively 
Monitor the therapeutic alliance at an individual and whole-of-group level 
Facilitate group member debriefing according to individual needs 
Document observations and outcomes of sessions according to professional standards and organisation requirements 
Evaluate group member patterns of improvement and change according to individual and group goals 
Use evaluation processes that allow group members to provide feedback 
Integrate evaluation of group counselling sessions into a broader reflective practice framework 
Participate in supervision according to planned approaches and apply learning to future work 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CHCGRP005 - Plan and provide group counselling
Assessment task 1: [title]

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

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

CHCGRP005 - Plan and provide group counselling

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

(add lines for each task)

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Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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