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 perform task skills task management skills contingency management skills and jobrole environment skills as outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit

These include knowledge of

Availability of and eligibility requirements for current government funded programs

Awareness of unique issues for carers with special needs including those from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

Basic understanding of relevant guidelines and legislation

Current information on range of support servicesnetworks available to carers and care recipients

OHS policies and procedures related to the provision of respite care

Procedures for facilitating referrals and emergency interventions

Procedures for and limitations to negotiating services from other service providers for carers

Specific knowledge of the local community

Specific issues for carers when caring for care recipients with complex needs including

chronic health problems

health problems relevant to specific disabilities

health problems with older people including dementia and dementia with challenging behaviours

mental health problems and understanding of impact of episodic conditions

Understanding of the role and responsibilities of self and other workers within the organisation

Understanding the cognitive or emotional barriers and dynamics in seeking help

Understanding other barriers to provision of services

Understanding the difference between service directed care and person centered or self managed care

Understanding of factors that impact on the caring role and how they may contribute to reluctant behaviours including

background and setting of the care giving eg cultural aspects age of carer

family dynamics

mediators eg carer coping strategies social support quality of relationship between carer and care recipient quality of carers other relationships access to respite services other carer resources

personality traits

respite and other services

stressors eg carer and care recipient behaviour health status functional status amount of care provided availability of services financial status social isolation multiple roles with competing priorities emotional impact of caring ie loss grief and guilt

Essential skills

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to achieve organisation goals

Communicate effectively with carersclients supervisors coworkers and other service providers

Ensure all work is in accordance with organisations and other relevant guidelines

Establish priorities manage time effectively and demonstrate welldeveloped personal organisation skills

Identify requirements outside scope of role responsibility knowledge and skill

In addition the candidate must be able to demonstrate relevant task skills task management skills contingency management skills and jobrole environment skills

These include the ability to

Demonstrate skills in

information gathering and situation analysis

negotiation

effective communication

strategic planning and outcomes measurement

liaising with other organisations and service providers

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 in the workplace or in a realistic simulated workplace setting under the normal range of workplace conditions

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace

Where for reasons of safety space or access to equipment and resources assessment takes place away from the workplace the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible

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 CALD environments

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 essential for assessment include

WHS guidelines

relevant organisation and legislative guidelines standards and procedures

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 competency 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

Related units

This unit should be assessed in conjunction with the following related unit

CHCRCPA Conduct assessment of carers needs

CHCRCP402A Conduct assessment of carer’s needs

Barriersto the provision of servicesmay include:

Complex circumstances may include:

Key factors in risks to the care relationship continuing may include:

Respond to carers or care recipients who are reluctant include:

Support plan may include:

Range of options may include:

Other service providers may include:

Changes in the carer or care recipient’s situation includes changes to: