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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 of assessment	The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills 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

Conditions of assessment	This unit includes skills and knowledge specific to Aboriginal andor Torres Strait Islander culture Assessment must therefore be undertaken by a workplace assessor who has expertise in the unit of competency or who has the current qualification being assessed and who is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander himherself or accompanied and advised by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who is a recognised member of the community with experience in primary health care It is critical that in assessing this unit consideration is given to the sensitive nature of some aspects of the unit particularly as they apply to Aboriginal andor Torres Strait Islander history and culture Assessment methods should be sensitive to emotional reactions of individuals being assessed and it is highly recommended that access be made available as required to support such as counselling in social and emotional wellbeing

Context of assessment	Competence should be demonstrated working individually under supervision or as part of a primary health care team working with Aboriginal andor Torres Strait Islander clients Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible

Related units	This unit may be assessed independently or in conjunction with other units with associated workplace application

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.

Cultural respect	This competency standard supports the recognition, protection and continued advancement of the inherent rights, cultures and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples It recognises that the improvement of the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must include attention to physical, spiritual, cultural, emotional and social well-being, community capacity and governance Its application must be culturally sensitive and supportive of traditional healing and health, knowledge and practices

Community control	Community participation and control in decision-making is essential to all aspects of health work, and the role of the health worker is to support the community in this process

Supervision	Supervision must be conducted in accordance with prevailing state/territory and organisation legislative and regulatory requirements References to supervision may include either direct or indirect supervision of work by more experienced workers, supervisors, managers or other health professionals A person at this level should only be required to make decisions about clients within the organisation's standard treatment protocols and associated guidelines

Legislative requirements	Federal, state or territory legislation may impact on workers' practices and responsibilities. Implementation of the competency standards should reflect the legislative framework in which a health worker operates. It is recognised that this may sometimes reduce the application of the Range of Variables in practice. However, assessment in the workplace or through simulation should address all essential skills and knowledge across the Range of Variables Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers may be required to operate in situations that do not constitute 'usual practice' due to lack of resources, remote locations and community needs. As a result, they may need to possess more competencies than described by 'usual practice circumstances' Under all circumstances, the employer must enable the worker to function within the prevailing legislative framework

Social determinants of health may include:	Socio-economic factors, including: income inequality employment, job availability/security working conditions education housing, overcrowding and access to food. Social inclusion and exclusion, including: level of poverty and unemployment relative to the whole society. isolation of communities located remotely from centres of high employment, education and services. exacerbation by factors such as gender, age, ability, sexual orientation, culture and religion. Contribution to the social economy Early childhood care and education Specific risk factors, including: rates of substance misuse and abuse poorer nutrition incidence of family violence Legacy of past (and current) practices: removal from land cultural dislocation family separation discrimination

Strategies to address social determinants of health may include:	Policies of social inclusion to reduce social, economic and environmental inequities and barriers to access and equity. Promotion of full employment, job security and healthy working conditions. Facilitation of access to a high quality health system that recognizes and addresses mental, social and spiritual health, including health promotion, disease prevention and health protection. Facilitation of access to quality education, with early childhood education and care, and opportunities for meaningful experiences in lifelong learning and employment training. Facilitation of access to adequate housing and food. Reduction of income disparities to allow access to the basic necessities for healthy living.

Agencies and organisations involved in community development initiatives may include:	Community controlled health providers Women's/men's centres Government health services Welfare agencies Emergency services Police Education and training organisations Non-government and private enterprise Community government councils Elected community organisations Homeland/outstation service providers

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health bodies, strategies, policies and resources may include:	National, state/territory and regional Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health strategies, policies, joint planning bodies The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Council The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and its state/territory affiliates Resources available nationally, locally and at the state/territory level National Aboriginal Health Strategy (1989) ABS publications

Barriers to access and equity in relation to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health may include:	Racism, including community and institutionalised racism Discrimination Socio-economic status Access to essential services and infrastructure Lack of co-ordination of government at all levels Inadequate resources/funding Lack of community control and ownership Lack of political leverage Language barriers Disease focus of mainstream health care delivery Differences in concept of ill health Geographic access to Primary Health Care and specialist health services Cultural barriers, such as poison cousin and kinship barriers

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HLTAHW408B - Address social determinants of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health

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Elements and Performance Criteria

Required Skills

Evidence Required

Range Statement