This unit applies to a range of child protection work occurring in an interagency framework of practice |
Not Applicable
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Implement principles of child protection practice | 1.1 Perform work requirements according to legal, political and social contexts of child protection work 1.2 Perform duties within requirement of child protection system and roles and responsibilities of key agencies within the system 1.3 Ensure work practices reflect understanding of impacts of child abuse and neglect on processes of investigation and assessment |
2. Apply agreed protocols and guidelines for collaborative practice | 2.1 Conduct all work within agreed guidelines of collaborative practice 2.2 Consider experiences of child when supporting needs, rights and interests of the child 2.3 Acknowledge and manage challenges of child protection work in a collaborative practice framework 2.4 Apply effective safe work and self managementstrategies in child protection work and collaborative practices |
3. Work collaboratively with children and families from diverse backgrounds | 3.1 Respond appropriately to children and families with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds 3.2 Develop effective working relationships with agencies supporting children and families from diverse backgrounds 3.3 Liaise and consult with other agencies and personnel as appropriate |
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: Legal, social and political context of child protection work Interagency framework and agreed protocols Structure and processes of child protection system Roles and responsibilities of key agencies and personnel Effects of child abuse and neglect and its impact on the process of investigation and assessment Agreed protocols Rights, needs and interests of children Potential impact of personal values and attitudes on the investigation and assessment of child abuse and neglect Worker safety and self management principles Cultural and linguistic differences |
Essential skills: It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to: Apply a range of collaborative work practices to child protection work Conduct interviews with children in a child protection environment according to accepted best practice and agreed protocols 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: Liaise with child and family Demonstrate effective communication and interviewing Conduct an interview in child protection context Recognise need to adapt questioning strategies to suit situations Establish rapport with children as interviewee Undertake self reflection and self assessment Seek feedback and make changes to improve interviewing techniques |
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 of competence must be assessed in the workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions Consistency in performance should consider the complexity of the environment in which workers are expected to participate |
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 include access to relevant workplace or simulated realistic workplace setting where assessment may take place |
Method of assessment: | Assessment may include observation, questioning and evidence gathered from a workplace environment |
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. | |
Key agencies may include: | Children and families Child protection authorities Police Women's and children's services Community and government health services providing a range of services Housing agencies Education authorities Mental health services Drug and alcohol services Early childhood and/or youth services |
Roles and responsibilities may include: | Child protection assessment Criminal investigation psychological and family assessment Medical assessment Police warrants Liaison and referral with other appropriate agencies to support the child and her or his family |
Impacts of child abuse and neglect may include: | Consideration of the nature of child abuse or maltreatment being physical and psychological- recognising the insidious and detrimental impact of child neglect Psychological maltreatment is embedded in all forms of child maltreatment and exists in discrete forms Negative effects of psychological and physical maltreatment on the cognitive, social, physical and psychological development of children include: insecure attachment relationships distorted development and functioning leading to withdrawal, aggression interruption of social competence and social adjustments behavioural difficulties learning difficulties Dynamics of abuse and neglect or maltreatment and the increased vulnerability of a child who has experienced abuse and neglect |
Agreed protocols and guidelines for collaborative practice in child protection may include: | UN Convention on the rights of the child 1989 Child protection legislation Relevant interagency guidelines Codes of practice in child protection work Safety, well being and best interest of the child are paramount considerations Listen to the voice of the child Need to work in partnership between government, non government agencies and families in taking responsibility for and responding to child abuse and neglect Promotion of interagency cooperation and communication to ensure best outcomes for the child and their family. Collaborative working agreements that allow for timely, efficient and effective interagency processes to respond to child abuse and neglect. |
Needs, rights and interests of the child may include: | Every child has the right to be safe from harm Every child has a right to care in a safe and stable environment Rights as defined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child |
Challenges of child protection work in a collaborative practice may include: | Need for agreements for collaborative practices and the foundation of effective interagency work Values and attitudes in relation to children and their families Values and attitudes in relation to the role of your own agency Values and attitudes in relation to the role o f other key agencies Organisation values Differences between agencies in relation to roles, histories, cultures, powers and priorities, status and perceived power, systems accountability, supervision and responsibilities for decision-making Communication issues of information exchange and privacy considerations, communication styles |
Effective safe work and self managementstrategiesmay include: | Safe work practices Note changes in professional practice Appropriate supervision Clarity about roles Regular multi-disciplinary case reviews Multi-disciplinary training Physical, psychological and emotional safety plans Communication Debriefing |
Culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds may include: | Ethnicity Race Religion Traditions Language Values Customs Family structures and relationships |
Not Applicable
This unit contains Employability Skills |
Not Applicable