Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

CHCFIN502A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Facilitate the financial counselling process

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency CHCFIN502A - Facilitate the financial counselling process
Description This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to identify and respond to the immediate and ongoing needs of clients, including provision of referral services as required
Employability Skills This unit contains Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit is to be applied in the context of establishing a relationship of trust and support to enable clients to make informed decisions to address financial issuesIn order to qualify for the ASIC exemption from the delivery of financial service contained in the Financial Services Reform Amendment Act (2003) a financial counsellor must be eligible for membership of the financial counselling association recognised in their State or TerritoryFinancial counselling operates from a strengths-based and client-focused model
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not Applicable
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Respond to initial client contact
  • Obtain informed consent from client to enter into a financial counselling process
  • Identify and address any conflicts of interest and/or other ethical considerations
  • Identify appropriateness of financial counselling on the basis of routine client information collected
  • Clarify with client the role of financial counsellor and expectations of the representative agency
  • Explain rights and responsibilities of client and counsellor in the financial counselling process
  • Clarify client expectations and needs to ensure their issues and motivations are suited to financial counselling
  • Make an appropriate referral if client need is identified as outside scope of own work role
  • Explain confidentiality policy of the representative agency
       
Element: Assess client's financial situation
  • Collect information on client's financial situation including relevant personal issues
  • Examine and analyse the material with client to identify areas for further investigation
  • Seek additional information as required, including the status and validity of contracts
  • Highlight important features of the client's financial position
  • Assist client to identify areas where they want to take action
  • Identify and discuss client's legal rights and responsibilities
       
Element: Discuss options with the client
  • Work with the client to establish a list of concerns
  • Identify areas for possible action and prioritise to reflect client's concerns
  • Provide information regarding client responsibilities and rights in relation to individual debts and overall financial situation
  • Discuss with client potential consequences of various options
       
Element: Develop action plan in partnership with client
  • Work with the client to prioritise areas for action immediately and in the longer term
  • Assist client to identify workable strategies to address their financial concerns
  • Assist client to develop their own action plans to address their circumstances
  • Discuss need for advocacy or negotiation by client and/or financial counsellor
       
Element: Provide and evaluate ongoing support
  • Ask client about their interest in ongoing support
  • Identify areas where clients may require referral to specialists agencies or professionals
  • Identify range of support services able to be provided by the organisation and others
  • Develop and implement with the client an ongoing plan defining any support to be provided
  • With the client, work through roles and responsibilities of client and counsellor in the support framework
  • Implement processes to evaluate effectiveness of support provided to the client by the financial counsellor
  • Revise support services in the light of evaluation feedback
  • Terminate the financial counselling process in line with organisation procedures and professional role requirements and provide referrals as agreed with client
       
Element: Maintain client records as required in a financial counselling agency
  • Implement processes to keep accurate records of financial counselling sessions in accordance with organisation and privacy requirements
  • Record appropriate file notes and retain relevant documentation taking into account professional and legal requirements
  • Maintain confidentiality of records in accordance with professional and legal requirements
  • Secure client records for storage, archiving and destruction as per organisation and privacy requirements
  • Prepare and maintain statistical records in line with organisation requirements
       
Element: Participate in reflective practice processes
  • Implement professional supervision in accordance with organisation policy and procedures
  • Maintain knowledge of current industry information and best practice in financial counselling and utilise in professional practice
  • Undertake professional development activities to meet organisation and industry requirements
  • Ensure reflective practice is consistent with relevant codes of practice and ethical guidelines
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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 simulated workplace under the normal of range conditions

Assessment should be gathered on one or more occasions but must reflect the normal range of client situations encountered 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:

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:

an appropriate workplace where assessment can take place or simulation of realistic workplace setting for assessment

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

Related units:

This unit is part of a suite of units that describe the financial counselling process and are to be assessed concurrently or sequentially:

CHCFIN501A Identify and apply technical information to assist clients with financial issues

CHCFIN502A Facilitate the financial counselling process

CHCFIN503A Develop and use financial counselling tools and techniques

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

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:

Client-centred, strengths-based approaches and other counselling models consistent with these approaches

Concept of and legal implications of informed consent

Framework for dealing with ethical dilemmas and conflicts of interest

Confidentiality and duty of care in a financial counselling context

Agency policies and procedures

Scope of practice for financial counselling and associated work roles

Client rights and responsibilities within a financial counselling context

Legal and financial framework

Referral networks / resources

Human, legal and welfare rights

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Provide a supportive environment for clients to enter into a financial counselling process

Obtain, organise and analyse client data

Interview clients to identify client issues

Facilitate client decision-making and planning

Identify appropriate strategies for client to resolve financial issues and improve their financial management

Work in a non-judgemental manner

Demonstrate application of skills in:

communication

research

reading and interpreting contracts and other relevant documents

clearly presenting opinions and information

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.

Client information relating to their financial situation and relevant personal details will include:

Income and entitlements

Credit and debt commitments

Assets

Household expenditure

Possible sources of financial assistance

Employment status

Constituents of Household

Any personal issues with direct impact on the financial situation

Status and validity of contracts may include:

Original documents

Signatories

Guarantors

Co-borrowers

Timeframe

Contract calculations

Security

Payment history

Action plan may be:

Short term or long term

Strategies to address their financial concerns may include:

Assessment of the legality of debts

Assessment of possible legal remedies

Development of a money plan

Strategies for increasing income

Strategies for decreasing expenditure

Strategies for reducing credit and debt problems

Referral to other appropriate professionals

Referral to range of support services that may address client issues may include:

Government income support agencies

Support agencies for mental health, domestic violence, alcohol and other drugs (AOD) issues, gambling counselling etc.

Accommodation agencies including emergency housing agencies

Community health centres

Family support agencies

Local community support networks

Financial assistance agencies

Emergency relief agencies

Dispute Resolution Services

Free legal services

Other Counselling services

Professional supervision may include:

Supervision by a senior financial counsellor

Debriefing

Mentor group meetings

Review with peers

Interagency meetings to discuss cases

Professional development activities may include:

In-house training

External training

Attendance at conferences, seminars

Clinical supervision

Attendance at industry association activities

Case presentations/discussions

Client need is identified as outside scope of own work role may include, for example:

Specific financial situations requiring specialist counselling

Indicators of related on non-related behavioural, emotional, psychological and/or mental health issues

Indicators of addictive behaviour

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Obtain informed consent from client to enter into a financial counselling process 
Identify and address any conflicts of interest and/or other ethical considerations 
Identify appropriateness of financial counselling on the basis of routine client information collected 
Clarify with client the role of financial counsellor and expectations of the representative agency 
Explain rights and responsibilities of client and counsellor in the financial counselling process 
Clarify client expectations and needs to ensure their issues and motivations are suited to financial counselling 
Make an appropriate referral if client need is identified as outside scope of own work role 
Explain confidentiality policy of the representative agency 
Collect information on client's financial situation including relevant personal issues 
Examine and analyse the material with client to identify areas for further investigation 
Seek additional information as required, including the status and validity of contracts 
Highlight important features of the client's financial position 
Assist client to identify areas where they want to take action 
Identify and discuss client's legal rights and responsibilities 
Work with the client to establish a list of concerns 
Identify areas for possible action and prioritise to reflect client's concerns 
Provide information regarding client responsibilities and rights in relation to individual debts and overall financial situation 
Discuss with client potential consequences of various options 
Work with the client to prioritise areas for action immediately and in the longer term 
Assist client to identify workable strategies to address their financial concerns 
Assist client to develop their own action plans to address their circumstances 
Discuss need for advocacy or negotiation by client and/or financial counsellor 
Ask client about their interest in ongoing support 
Identify areas where clients may require referral to specialists agencies or professionals 
Identify range of support services able to be provided by the organisation and others 
Develop and implement with the client an ongoing plan defining any support to be provided 
With the client, work through roles and responsibilities of client and counsellor in the support framework 
Implement processes to evaluate effectiveness of support provided to the client by the financial counsellor 
Revise support services in the light of evaluation feedback 
Terminate the financial counselling process in line with organisation procedures and professional role requirements and provide referrals as agreed with client 
Implement processes to keep accurate records of financial counselling sessions in accordance with organisation and privacy requirements 
Record appropriate file notes and retain relevant documentation taking into account professional and legal requirements 
Maintain confidentiality of records in accordance with professional and legal requirements 
Secure client records for storage, archiving and destruction as per organisation and privacy requirements 
Prepare and maintain statistical records in line with organisation requirements 
Implement professional supervision in accordance with organisation policy and procedures 
Maintain knowledge of current industry information and best practice in financial counselling and utilise in professional practice 
Undertake professional development activities to meet organisation and industry requirements 
Ensure reflective practice is consistent with relevant codes of practice and ethical guidelines 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CHCFIN502A - Facilitate the financial counselling process
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

CHCFIN502A - Facilitate the financial counselling process

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: