Elements and Performance Criteria
- Assess appropriateness of the case for a child inclusive approach
- Recognise and explore a family situation that may indicate/involve child abuse or neglect
- Implement protocols for child protection as per legislation and organisation policy
- Provide the participants with appropriate support service referrals
- Assess the participant's actions with consideration or any detrimental effects to the best interests of the child
- Withdraw services when unsatisfactory behaviour or situations continue to place the child/ren at risk and follow organisation procedures for follow up actions
- Engage parents in the approach, with appropriate contracting
- Self assess competence to engage with parents in the context of facilitating child inclusive process and feedback
- Seek support from experienced and qualified practitioners in situations of case complexity dependent organisation context
- Communicate the role of child consultant to parents/carers and children
- Clearly describe the differences between the dispute resolution practitioner and counsellor role and that of the child consultant
- Obtain consent from children and adults to engage a child consultant in the dispute resolution process.
- Engage a child consultant with appropriate experience and skill
- Provide a child appropriate environment and resources to support the child's participation
- Facilitate the child inclusive process and feedback
- Acknowledge aspirations and feelings of parents or carers and at the same time remain focused on the needs of the child in dispute
- Invite parents and/or carers to view the situation from the child's point of view
- Discuss with the parents/carers the appropriateness and usefulness of engaging children in part of the dispute resolution process
- Assist parents/carers who may be distracted by their own interpersonal disputes or conflicts, to re focus on their caring and parental roles
- Integrate the children's needs and views into the ongoing counselling or dispute resolution process
- Engage the services of a child consultant to represent the needs, perceptions and attachments of each child to each parent/carer in the dispute
- Apply knowledge of core research findings to family dispute resolution or counselling process where child's needs and views are to be incorporated into interventions and supports
- Communicate with the child consultant about the child's best interests and any methods of integrating child's need and views into counselling or dispute resolution processes