Application
This unit describes the skill and knowledge required to identify specific issues and provide appropriate pastoral and spiritual support to a range of clients. Work may be either in a paid or volunteer capacity, across a range of contexts.
This unit applies to workers who operate under professional supervision and mentoring by senior workers and/or within the lines of authority of the organisation or belief system.
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 ethical, spiritual and pastoral issues requiring support | 1.1 Monitor the mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of a client and/or community group 1.2 Consult with the client and/or community to determine specific issues 1.3 Research issues and analyse to determine the client’s and/or community’s needs 1.4 Analyse the client’s and/or community’s situation to identify any immediate pastoral and spiritual care requirements 1.5 Liaise with supervisor and/or coordinating authority to develop a support plan |
2. Provide individual and/or community support | 2.1 Establish a trusting and respectful interpersonal relationship with the clients 2.2 Provide opportunity for the clients to explore and discuss significant life events and attitudes 2.3 Provide meaningful ritual, symbol or action relevant to the clients and their rights and needs 2.4 Provide support to significant others including family members and carers 2.5 Collaborate with client’s support networks, community and/or faith group for ongoing involvement and support 2.6 Assist other carers and community members to understand the role of pastoral and spiritual care workers 2.7 Engage in pastoral, ethical and/or spiritual discussion with the client and/or community group 2.8 Provide pastoral and spiritual support in accordance with organisation protocols and ethical and moral guidelines 2.9 Identify issues beyond scope of role and escalate or refer in accordance with organisation procedures |
3. Review and reflect on pastoral and spiritual care | 3.1 Review provision of support in accordance with standard review procedures 3.2 Evaluate need for additional support and discuss with supervisor 3.3 Reflect on own performance and identify ways to improve own practice |
4. Participate in professional supervision | 4.1 Give and receive feedback constructively and positively 4.2 Act on feedback in collaboration with supervisor and/or mentor 4.3 Seek advice on potential areas for personal and professional development |
5. Maintain records | 5.1 Document pastoral and spiritual care in accordance with organisation policies 5.2 Maintain records in accordance with organisation’s policies |
Foundation Skills
The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (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. |