CHCCCS021
Respond to suspected abuse


Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify signs of possible abuse, take appropriate action according to role and responsibilities and minimise the risk of abuse to a person.

This unit applies to workers in a range of community services contexts.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements define the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Identify suspected abuse

1.1 Identify signs of suspected abuse

1.2 Review all available relevant information

1.3 Record concerns and actions taken according to organisation requirements

1.4 Comply with legal and organisation reporting requirements

2. Support people experiencing suspected abuse

2.1 Assess the actual and potential effects of suspected abuse of the person

2.2 Explore the person’s understanding and interpretation of the situation using awareness raising methods

2.3 Empower the person to seek clarification of relevant procedures, information and advice

2.4 Determine whether a course of action is required and if the person agrees to this

2.5 Obtain consent from the person or their legal representative, for any action to be taken on their behalf

2.6 Follow strategies, where appropriate, that have been developed to manage the perpetrator

2.7 Monitor and review action in accordance with organisation policy and procedures

3. Complete reporting requirements

3.1 Complete documentation according to legal requirements and organisation policy and procedures

3.2 Maintain and store documentation appropriately

4. Contribute to systems and procedures

4.1 Promote awareness of worker responsibilities to act on suspicion and disclosure of abuse

4.2 Monitor systems and procedures for their effectiveness in supporting vulnerable people

4.3 Identify and report problems with systems and procedures

4.4 Provide input to the process of improving systems and procedures

Foundation Skills

The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (such as language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.