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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Assess the needs and issues of clients
  2. Establish goals of service provision with the client
  3. Provide services to meet client needs
  4. Review progress with the client
  5. Use self protection strategies

Required Skills

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

Language of the mental health sector

Signs and symptoms of common mental illness

Common medications for the treatment of mental illness andor psychiatric disability and their side effects

Principles and practice of psychosocial rehabilitation

Difference between mental illness and psychiatric disability

Early intervention

Impact of mental illness andor psychiatric disability on selfesteem motivation daily living skills and relationships

A range of clinical treatment and support services available locally

Clientcentredness

Rights and responsibilities of workers and clients

Understanding of complex ethical issues

Principles and practices of duty of care

Recovery

Relevant policy regulatory legislative and legal requirements relating to mental health service provision

Knowledge specific to working with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

Knowledge specific to working with people at risk of selfharm

Knowledge specific to the following areas

working with clients with alcohol and other drugs issues

working with women

working with men

working with children and young people

working with aged clients

working with corrective services clients

working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients

community education

Essential skills

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

Identify the needs and provide services to a range of clients with mental health issues

Effective collaboration with other workers and relevant services

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

Reflect on the dynamics of relationships

Demonstrate application of following skills where they apply to work role

communication

negotiation

questioning

active listening

interpretation of verbal and nonverbal communication

liaison

referral including identification of circumstances in which referral to a health professional is appropriate

supportive counselling

conflict resolution

mediation

crisis situation responses

protective intervention

advocacy

networking and liaison

identification of support structures

awareness of self and the impact of self on relationships

confidentiality

report writing

resolving aggression including negotiation workplace safety debriefing

resolving aggression, including:
. negotiation
. workplace safety
. debriefing

Maintain documentation as required including effective use of relevant information technology in line with occupational health and safety OHS guidelines

Evidence Required

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 is best assessed on the job or in a simulated workplace under the normal range of conditions

Consistency in performance should consider the range of services provided to clients in the workplace

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 andor 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 of this unit include access to a workplace or simulated workplace where assessment may occur

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 andor written questioning on Essential knowledge and skills and consideration of required attitudes

Where performance is not directly observed andor is required to be demonstrated over a period of time andor in a number of locations any evidence should be authenticated by colleagues supervisors clients or other appropriate persons


Range Statement

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.

Reasons for seeking help may be identified with assistance from:

The client

Carers

Colleagues

Information from other services

Needs may include:

Physical disability

Intellectual disability

Problematic alcohol and other drugs use

Psychosocial

Employment

Related to grief and loss

Emotional

Financial

Legal

Spiritual

Social

Cultural

Appropriate communication and relationship building processes may include:

Engagement

Empathy

Non-judgemental manner

Listening to the person

Treating the person as an individual

Rapport building

Respect

Hope

Share goals applies within the bounds of confidentiality and may include people such as:

Case managers

Other staff

Carers

Consumers

Family members

Other services

Provide services must take into account:

Available resources

Contingency plans

Other services and resources may include:

Carer groups

Consumer groups

Accommodation

Legal

Day support

Employment

Skill development service e.g. Life or living skills

Spiritual support

Psychosocial rehabilitation

Other disability support services

Consumer consultants

Pre-vocational

Leisure

Creative activities

Recreation

Education

Social activities

Aboriginal health services

Drug and alcohol

Advocacy

Respite

Pharmacies

Financial

Supportive counselling in response to crisis situations

Interpreter

Family violence and sexual assault services

Accommodation

Strategies may include assistance with:

Self help groups

Accommodation

Employment

Legal matters

Recreation

Daily living skills

Creative activities

Social skills

Relationships

Records of service provision may include:

Individual service plans

Initial contact forms

Comprehensive assessment and service plan

Individual program plans

Evaluation forms

Emergency assistance may be sought from:

Own organisation staff

Other community organisation staff

Clinical mental health services

Other agencies

Hospitals

Ambulance

Police

Consumer consultants

Trans-cultural consultants