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

PSPPOL602A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Provide policy advice

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency PSPPOL602A - Provide policy advice
Description This unit covers the provision of policy advice to policy developers, internal policy staff, other staff, and for external queries from the government, Ministers, other public sector organisations, the public, etc. It includes interpreting and advising on public policy, and providing input to policy evaluation and review.In practice, the provision of policy advice may overlap with other generalist and specialist work activities such as managing change, managing diversity, managing workplace safety, managing the delivery of client services, managing risk, directing the management of contracts.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application Not applicable.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
Competency Field Policy.
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: Interpret and advise on public policy
  • Policy is analysed and interpretations on its intent and implications are provided in accordance with organisational procedures.
  • Interpretive advice is provided on the relevant acts, regulations, procedures, codes of practice, standards and guidelines related to policy, in accordance with organisational procedures.
  • Written interpretations are provided, supported by defensible evidence and reflect consideration of their intended use and consequences in accordance with legislative requirements.
  • Policy advice is communicated in a manner that addresses the requirements of users.
  • Policy questions referred by policy staff are resolved or consultative mechanisms are used to gain additional clarification or opinions.
       
Element: Provide input to policy evaluation and review
  • Policy feedback data is captured and analysed to identify strengths, weaknesses, and any implementation issues in accordance with organisational requirements.
  • Both planned and unintentional outcomes of policy implementation are analysed and feedback is provided against the evaluation criteria in the policy implementation plan.
  • A comparison of the intended versus actual outcomes of policy implementation is prepared and provided in accordance with organisational procedures.
  • The internal and external environments are monitored for policy implications, and strategies are prepared to respond to potential or impending policy changes in accordance with organisational requirements.
  • Recommendations for continuous improvement, termination or succession of policies are prepared in accordance with organisational requirements.
       


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 specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole. It must be read in conjunction with the Unit descriptor, Performance Criteria, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package.

Units to be assessed together

Pre-requisite units that must be achieved prior to this unit:Nil

Co-requisite units that must be assessed with this unit:Nil

Co-assessed units that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include, but are not limited to:

PSPMNGT604B Manage change

PSPMNGT605B Manage diversity

PSPMNGT606B Manage quality client service

PSPMNGT608B Manage risk

PSPOHS602A Manage workplace safety

PSPPROC602B Direct the management of contracts

Overview of evidence requirements

In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:

the knowledge requirements of this unit

the skill requirements of this unit

application of the Employability Skills as they relate to this unit (see Employability Summaries in Qualifications Framework)

provision of policy advice in a range of (3 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)

Resources required to carry out assessment

These resources include:

public sector policy and legislation

public sector standards, procedures and protocols

precedents for policy interpretation

policy evaluation guidelines

Where and how to assess evidence

Valid assessment of this unit requires:

a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when advising on policy, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine

provision of policy advice in a range of (3 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of particular groups, such as:

people with disabilities

people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

women

young people

older people

people in rural and remote locations

Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this competency may include, but are not limited to, a combination of 2 or more of:

case studies

portfolios

projects

questioning

scenarios

authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses

For consistency of assessment

Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments


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 section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Skill requirements

Look for evidence that confirms skills in:

reading and evaluating complex and formal documents such as policy and legislation

researching, analysing and presenting information

preparing written reports requiring precision of expression and language and structures suited to the intended audience

working as a member of an inter-agency team to consult on and validate policy

adjusting communication to suit different audiences

responding to diversity, including gender and disability

dealing with different points of view and dissenting stakeholders

accessing policies and legislation electronically or in hard copy

identifying and addressing the environmental and occupational health and safety implications of policy/s being developed

Knowledge requirements

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge and understanding of:

policy development processes and practices in the public sector

current policies underpinning the work area

government procedures and protocols

public sector code/s of ethics and code/s of conduct

principles of community engagement in policy development

equal employment opportunity, equity and diversity principles

environmental and occupational health and safety implications of policy/s being developed

The Range Statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The Range Statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in bold italics in the Performance Criteria is explained here.

Policy may include:

public policy

public sector policy

central agency policy

organisation policy relevant to any aspect of an organisation's business, such as policies relating to:

core business

client services

business structure

human resources

administration

financial management

work practices

training

information technology

technical/professional requirements

legal requirements

Policy advice may be provided to:

government

Ministers

other public sector organisations

community groups

the public

policy developers

internal policy staff

other staff

Consultative mechanisms may include:

discussion with other policy managers

seeking clarification from the policy developer

seeking legal opinion

workplace consultative committees

Policy changes may be caused by:

machinery of government changes

a shift to designing policy around a set of government priorities not organisational structures/individual agencies

a focus on whole of government policies

changes to legal risks

emphasis on policy research focused on the mid to long term, as well as that developed to meet immediate needs of government

national or international events such as:

change in government

changes in government policy

changes in strategic direction

changes in legislation

changes in the policies of other governments

changing social trends

economic/technological change

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
Policy is analysed and interpretations on its intent and implications are provided in accordance with organisational procedures. 
Interpretive advice is provided on the relevant acts, regulations, procedures, codes of practice, standards and guidelines related to policy, in accordance with organisational procedures. 
Written interpretations are provided, supported by defensible evidence and reflect consideration of their intended use and consequences in accordance with legislative requirements. 
Policy advice is communicated in a manner that addresses the requirements of users. 
Policy questions referred by policy staff are resolved or consultative mechanisms are used to gain additional clarification or opinions. 
Policy feedback data is captured and analysed to identify strengths, weaknesses, and any implementation issues in accordance with organisational requirements. 
Both planned and unintentional outcomes of policy implementation are analysed and feedback is provided against the evaluation criteria in the policy implementation plan. 
A comparison of the intended versus actual outcomes of policy implementation is prepared and provided in accordance with organisational procedures. 
The internal and external environments are monitored for policy implications, and strategies are prepared to respond to potential or impending policy changes in accordance with organisational requirements. 
Recommendations for continuous improvement, termination or succession of policies are prepared in accordance with organisational requirements. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PSPPOL602A - Provide policy advice
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

PSPPOL602A - Provide policy advice

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: