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 must be assessed in the workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions

Consistency in performance should consider the complexity of the environment in which workers are expected to participate

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 relevant workplace or simulated realistic workplace setting where assessment may take place

Method of assessment:

Assessment may include observation, questioning and evidence gathered from a 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:

Legal, social and political context of child protection work

Interagency framework and agreed protocols

Structure and processes of child protection system

Roles and responsibilities of key agencies and personnel

Effects of child abuse and neglect and its impact on the process of investigation and assessment

Agreed protocols

Rights, needs and interests of children

Potential impact of personal values and attitudes on the investigation and assessment of child abuse and neglect

Worker safety and self management principles

Cultural and linguistic differences

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Apply a range of collaborative work practices to child protection work

Conduct interviews with children in a child protection environment according to accepted best practice and agreed protocols

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:

Liaise with child and family

Demonstrate effective communication and interviewing

Conduct an interview in child protection context

Recognise need to adapt questioning strategies to suit situations

Establish rapport with children as interviewee

Undertake self reflection and self assessment

Seek feedback and make changes to improve interviewing techniques

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.

Key agencies may include:

Children and families

Child protection authorities

Police

Women's and children's services

Community and government health services providing a range of services

Housing agencies

Education authorities

Mental health services

Drug and alcohol services

Early childhood and/or youth services

Roles and responsibilities may include:

Child protection assessment

Criminal investigation psychological and family assessment

Medical assessment

Police warrants

Liaison and referral with other appropriate agencies to support the child and her or his family

Impacts of child abuse and neglect may include:

Consideration of the nature of child abuse or maltreatment being physical and psychological- recognising the insidious and detrimental impact of child neglect

Psychological maltreatment is embedded in all forms of child maltreatment and exists in discrete forms

Negative effects of psychological and physical maltreatment on the cognitive, social, physical and psychological development of children include:

insecure attachment relationships

distorted development and functioning leading to withdrawal, aggression

interruption of social competence and social adjustments

behavioural difficulties

learning difficulties

Dynamics of abuse and neglect or maltreatment and the increased vulnerability of a child who has experienced abuse and neglect

Agreed protocols and guidelines for collaborative practice in child protection may include:

UN Convention on the rights of the child 1989

Child protection legislation

Relevant interagency guidelines

Codes of practice in child protection work

Safety, well being and best interest of the child are paramount considerations

Listen to the voice of the child

Need to work in partnership between government, non government agencies and families in taking responsibility for and responding to child abuse and neglect

Promotion of interagency cooperation and communication to ensure best outcomes for the child and their family.

Collaborative working agreements that allow for timely, efficient and effective interagency processes to respond to child abuse and neglect.

Needs, rights and interests of the child may include:

Every child has the right to be safe from harm

Every child has a right to care in a safe and stable environment

Rights as defined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Challenges of child protection work in a collaborative practice may include:

Need for agreements for collaborative practices and the foundation of effective interagency work

Values and attitudes in relation to children and their families

Values and attitudes in relation to the role of your own agency

Values and attitudes in relation to the role o f other key agencies

Organisation values

Differences between agencies in relation to roles, histories, cultures, powers and priorities, status and perceived power, systems accountability, supervision and responsibilities for decision-making

Communication issues of information exchange and privacy considerations, communication styles

Effective safe work and self managementstrategiesmay include:

Safe work practices

Note changes in professional practice

Appropriate supervision

Clarity about roles

Regular multi-disciplinary case reviews

Multi-disciplinary training

Physical, psychological and emotional safety plans

Communication

Debriefing

Culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds may include:

Ethnicity

Race

Religion

Traditions

Language

Values

Customs

Family structures and relationships