Assessor Resource

PSPCOM502A
Develop and implement community engagement strategies

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Not applicable.

This unit covers the design and implementation of effective activities or programs that involve the community in government policy development, planning and decision making processes. It includes issue analysis, scoping, designing, implementing, reporting and evaluating on community engagement activities or programs.

In practice, community engagement overlaps with other generalist or specialist work activities such as acting ethically, providing leadership, developing client services, developing policy, undertaking research, facilitating change, etc.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication

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 specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole. It must be read in conjunction with the Unit descriptor, Performance Criteria, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package.

Units to be assessed together

Pre-requisite units that must be achieved prior to this unit:Nil

Co-requisite units that must be assessed with this unit:Nil

Co-assessed units that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include, but are not limited to:

PSPCOM501A Prepare for community engagement

PSPCOM503A Build and maintain community relationships

PSPETHC501B Promote the values and ethos of public service

PSPGOV504B Undertake research and analysis

PSPGOV507A Undertake negotiations

PSPGOV508A Manage conflict

PSPGOV511A Provide leadership

PSPGOV512A Use complex workplace communication strategies

PSPGOV514A Facilitate change

PSPLEGN501B Promote compliance with legislation in the public sector

PSPOHS501A Monitor and maintain workplace safety

Overview of evidence requirements

In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:

the knowledge requirements of this unit

the skill requirements of this unit

application of the Employability Skills as they relate to this unit (see table following for examples)

community engagement strategies developed and implemented in a range of (3 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)

Resources required to carry out assessment

These resources include:

community information, case studies or scenarios, including current journals, international case studies

community engagement theory, principles, practices and techniques

procedures and protocols for community engagement, including occupational health and safety

policy and legislation related to community engagement

public sector values and codes of conduct

Where and how to assess evidence

Valid assessment of this unit requires:

a workplace environment, or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when designing and implementing community engagement activities/programs, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine

community engagement strategies developed and implemented in a range of (3 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of particular groups, such as:

people with disabilities

people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

women

young people

older people

people in rural and remote locations

Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this competency may include, but are not limited to, a combination of 2 or more of:

case studies

portfolios

projects

questioning

scenarios

authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses

For consistency of assessment

Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments


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 section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Skill requirements

Look for evidence that confirms skills in:

working with diverse communities using a range of communication styles to suit different audiences and purposes

managing expectations

explaining complex and formal policies and concepts to a variety of audiences

facilitating community engagement, including relationship building, networking, negotiation, conflict management and risk management

responding to diversity, including gender and disability

scoping, designing and implementing community engagement activities/programs including project management, time management and budget management

applying lateral thinking to provide solutions and overcome barriers to community engagement

evaluating community engagement activities/programs

applying workplace safety procedures to community engagement activities

detailing requirements, writing recommendations and preparing community engagement reports requiring complex language structures and precision of expression

Knowledge requirements

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge and understanding of:

legislation, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines relating to community engagement

community engagement theory, principles, practices and techniques

public sector ethics and codes of conduct

facilitation/process management in the context of community engagement

principles of cultural awareness and cross-cultural communication

social justice principles

organisational policies related to communication and the media

equal employment opportunity, equity and diversity principles

workplace safety procedures relating to community engagement activities

The Range Statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The Range Statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in bold italics in the Performance Criteria is explained here.

Key stakeholders may include:

all those who may be directly affected or may have a significant issue in the engagement process, including:

individuals

local residents

community leaders

community groups

ethnic communities

non-government organisations

public sector officers

private sector organisations/business community

other public sector agencies in all tiers of government

media organisations

elected public officials who may need to be briefed or provide approval throughout the process

public land committees of management

Options for engagement may include:

alliances

partnerships

education and awareness campaigns

online consultation

deliberative processes

public meetings

consultation with stakeholders

response/s to questionnaires

media campaigns

community-based information

government announcements

correspondence with/to Members of Parliament

direct participation

scenario planning

think tanks

The level of community engagement may include:

information - a one-way relationship in which government disseminates appropriate and relevant information to citizens

consultation - a two-way relationship in which government asks for and receives the views of individuals or communities on issues that affect them directly or in which they may have a significant interest

active participation - opportunities for individuals and communities to propose options and be involved in government planning and decision making

Methods and techniques may include:

advisory bodies and steering committees

events

celebrations

launches

awareness activities or programs

public forums

workshops

face-to-face meetings and interviews

focus groups

value creation workshops

questionnaires (email, Internet or hard copy)

surveys

online interaction

negotiation tables

formal partnerships

citizens' juries

charettes

search conferences

deliberative polling

telephone interviews

written submissions

Barriers to community engagement may include:

access constraints

mobility issues

poor past experiences with engagement processes

time constraints

lack of interest in or commitment to the issues

lack of understanding about an actual issue - building knowledge and literacy, knowing the scenarios

lack of confidence or trust in government

previous over-consultation

lack of understanding or clarity about the engagement process

geographical isolation

socio-economic levels

diversity variables listed below

community perception that nothing ever comes from engagement with government - 'talk fest'

social capital gate keepers - residents who block broad participation

Community engagement risks may include:

political/ministerial imperatives

managing community expectations

adverse media attention

alternative agenda of interest groups

lack of commitment from decision makers

poor previous experiences with engagement

Those missed in the community definition may include:

those who may be affected by the engagement activity

those who have a significant interest in the engagement activity

Community diversity may include differences in:

age

cultural background

disability

educational level

English language proficiency

ethnicity

experience

expertise

family responsibilities

gender

intellectual differences

interests

interpersonal approach

language

learning styles

length of residence

life experience

marital status

mobility

physical differences

politics

race

religion

sexual orientation

socio-economic background

thinking styles

work experiences

working styles

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
A framework is developed to assist in analysing an issue that requires community engagement. 
Key stakeholders are identified and consulted in accordance with organisational policy and procedures. 
The framework is used to conduct the analysis, and community engagement options are identified in accordance with organisational requirements. 
Parameters and constraints of community engagement are identified, including time and resource limitations. 
The purpose and objectives of community engagement are established in consultation with key stakeholders, including what is negotiable, and what is not is clarified with relevant personnel. 
Objectives are developed that are relevant, achievable, measurable, flexible enough to allow for the emergence of new options or ideas and linked to program/project objectives. 
The target community is defined in accordance with the purpose, objectives and scope of activity. 
The level of community engagement, methods and techniques are determined to suit the purpose, objectives, target community and scope of activity. 
Likely barriers to community engagement involvement and strategies to address them are identified. 
Opportunities are identified and used, where possible, to involve the community in the design of the engagement activity or program and its evaluation. 
Benefits for community involvement in the engagement process are identified, both for the organisation and the community. 
Relevant government/agency guidelines, protocols, systems and processes are identified and applied. 
Program is designed to address risks and issues with appropriate mitigation measures and includes strategies to identify and include those missed in the community definition. 
Communication, monitoring, reporting, feedback and evaluation processes are embedded in the activity or program. 
Relevant commitment to/approval of the activity or program is obtained in accordance with organisational policy and procedures. 
Resources and time are allocated to the implementation process, including a process manager/facilitator with the necessary capabilities, in accordance with the program design. 
Implementation is coordinated across the agency and across government, where relevant. 
The objectives and constraints of the engagement are communicated in a manner that is understood by all participants. 
Clarity is established around the roles and responsibilities of all participants and the level of influence of the participants on the final decision. 
The expectations of participants are identified and managed and the community is provided with all relevant information throughout the engagement process. 
Feedback mechanisms are implemented in accordance with the process plan, and community requirements and barriers to community engagement involvement are addressed to maximise participation. 
Risks and issues are addressed with appropriate mitigation measures. 
Community diversity is acknowledged and respected throughout, and the process is transparent and managed in accordance with planned design. 
The process is implemented flexibly enough to allow the community to raise new ideas or options and provide the community with opportunities to develop their engagement capacity. 
Outcomes of community engagement are reported to relevant government/agency staff, all participants and those who may be affected or have a significant interest, in accordance with organisational policy and procedures. 
Feedback on how the outcomes may inform government/agency planning or decision making is provided to all participants. 
A good practice model is used to evaluate all components of the engagement activity or program in accordance with the design plan. 
Feedback on the quality of the activity or program is obtained from participants. 
The extent to which the engagement outcomes informed government/agency planning and decision making is analysed. 
Achievements and lessons from the engagement activity or program are recorded, shared and used across the government/agency and with the community in accordance with organisational policy and procedures. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PSPCOM502A - Develop and implement community engagement strategies
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Assessment Record Sheet

PSPCOM502A - Develop and implement community engagement strategies

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