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 must be assessed with other relevant specialisation units chosen as part of a qualification

This unit may be assessed on the job or through simulation

Assessment must be over a range of situations with more than one target group
It will entail observations and other workplace assessment tools

Consistency in performance should consider the work environment, worker's role and responsibilities 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 and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Context of and specific resources for assessment:

Resources required for assessment include access to appropriate workplace where assessment can take place

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 and/or written questioning on Essential knowledge and skills and consideration of required attitudes

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

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:

Awareness of risk and co-morbidity issues, including theoretical frameworks about motivation to change alcohol and/or other drug use

Basic pharmacology relevant to the work being undertaken, including:

types of drugs

dose levels

effects of specific drugs

misuse and abuse of benzodiazepines and other pharmaceutical drugs

tolerance

treatment approaches broadly

Client needs and rights including duty of care

Current issues facing clients and existing services to address their needs and rights

Harm minimisation approach to work in the sector and a range of support activities

Historical and social context as listed in the Range Statement

Holistic and client-centred care

In depth knowledge of alcohol and other drug issues and their impact on individuals and the community

Mental health issues and co-existing drug issues

Political and economic context as listed in the Range Statement including early intervention and health promotion

Principles and practices of community support

Principles and practices of ethics and values

Principles of access and equity

Principles of client and community empowerment/disempowerment

Principles of health promotion (as per Ottawa Charter)

Range of different settings

Relevance of the work role and functions to maintaining sustainability of the workplace, including environmental, economic, workforce and social sustainability

Statutory and legislative framework within which work takes place, including legal issues facing workers in the AOD sector

Understanding of risks related to personal safety when working in AOD sector

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Apply an in depth knowledge of alcohol and other drug issues and their impact on individuals and the community

Apply an understanding of the appropriateness of a range of different settings

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:

Demonstrate interpersonal communication with clients and other stakeholders

Prepare reports so that the information and the organisation of this information is appropriate to its purposes and audience

Recognise and act upon opportunities to enhance sustainability in the workplace

Work individually or as part of a team

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.

Historical, social, political and economic context includes:

Changing social context of work e.g. changing government and societal views of AOD use and approaches to working with clients

Economic context e.g. the current economic situation as it relates to and affects AOD use and the subsequent impact on client needs

Historical context of work e.g. changing attitudes to AOD use; changing approaches to working with clients

Political context e.g. government policies and initiatives affecting AOD work including early intervention and health promotion

Statutory framework within which work takes place in the sector

Consideration of the interrelationship of issues affecting clientsmay include:

Community development approach

Empowerment of the community

Essential values and philosophy of the sector may include:

A focus on harm minimisation including harm prevention; harm reduction; health promotion and harm management

A holistic and client-centred approach -
i.e. promotion of health and well being; early identification of health problems; delivery of appropriate services; commitment to meeting the needs and upholding the rights of clients; commitment to empowering the client

Models of work in the sector may include:

Case management

Community development and education

Working with families

Stakeholders and representatives may include:

Clients

Community organisations

Consumer workers

Families and care givers

Friends, peers and target group

Government representatives and service providers

Local community

Management, colleagues, supervisor, team members

Peak bodies and networks in the sector

Services

Specialists/experts

Settings may include:

Any community setting

Day program

De-toxication unit

Home based withdrawal

Home via telephone/email/internet

Inpatient

Outreach

Residential rehabilitation

A commitment to access and equity must be demonstrated by:

A non-discriminatory approach to all people using the service, their family and friends, the general public and co-workers

Ensuring the work undertaken takes account of and caters for differences including: cultural, physical, religious, economic, social etc