This unit describes the skills required to provide pastoral care and counsel to members of an organisation as Defence Chaplains. Chaplains are required to be religious leaders immersed in the practices of their accredited faith group and to operate within a spiritual framework. This includes providing pastoral and counselling ministry to personnel, their families and other authorised personnel.

This unit was developed for Defence Chaplains but may be relevant to others who work in this field.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.

Those undertaking this unit would work independently and perform complex tasks in a mainly predictable context.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1

Provide pastoral support

1.1

Monitor mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of the organisation's members

1.2

Provide frameworks for responding to crisis

1.3

Provide opportunities that enhance spiritual health and wellbeing of the organisation's members

1.4

Develop guidance on availability of chaplaincy and other pastoral services to the organisation's members

1.5

Develop pastoral care and welfare programs

1.6

Identify contact details and leaders within other faith groups within local area

1.7

Identify avenues to provide support to family members

1.8

Identify support agencies and provide support to members and families

2

Administer pastoral care

2.1

Determine the specific pastoral needs of organisation's members through consultation in order to develop pastoral care plan or program

2.2

Provide pastoral care to organisation's members in their work, home and leisure environments

2.3

Provide pastoral care to family members including those in crisis

2.4

Identify pastoral issues and trends

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and includes:

adhering to faith standards, organisational policies and procedures

selecting language style suitable to audience and context for the purpose of establishing, maintaining and developing relationships

actively listening

summarising and clarifying ideas

using a variety of verbal and non-verbal communication techniques including body language, language style and gesture

planning

counselling

analysing and evaluating information

supporting members of other faiths

analysing complex personal issues

creating a pastoral care plan

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

chaplaincy role

world religions together with associated religious beliefs and practices

principles of pastoral care

relevant organisational processes and protocols

relevant support agencies and roles

code of behaviour

ethical standards

confidentiality and privacy requirements

relevant organisational policy

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations. Where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that reflect workplace conditions.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations

relevant materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry

applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

acceptable means of simulation assessment.

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

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Not applicable.

Chaplaincy