HLTAHW031
Provide information/strategies to enhance capacities of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander families


Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide information and strategies related to promoting and enhancing the capacities of families and communities (including children and young people) as part of primary health care services for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities.

This unit applies to those Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers providing a range of primary health care services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities.

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 specify the level of performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Provide strategies to promote and strengthen the capacities of families and communities

1.1 Determine the components of a ‘healthy family’ and strategies to strengthen the family unit

1.2 Demonstrate knowledge of and respect for the diversity of culture, skin and language groups and family structures in relation to achieving healthy families and communities

1.3 Provide accurate information about the incidence, impacts and social and psychological context of family health problems in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities

1.4 Discuss the obstacles to healthy family and community development in relation to family and/or domestic violence, and abuse of children and young people

1.5 Provide practical advice relating to early identification, management and prevention of family health problems in accordance with community cultural needs and work role obligations

1.6 Work in collaboration with primary health care workers, multidisciplinary teams, organisations and other agencies to support ‘healthy family’ outcomes

2. Work in partnership with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and communities

2.1 Develop and implement strategies to increase participation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in health service delivery

2.2 Ensure delivery of health care, services and programs reflect culturally safe and appropriate practice

2.3 Ensure health care, services and programs encourage self-determination and community control to ensure improved health outcomes

2.4 Identify and utilise resources to promote effective partnerships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, organisations and communities

2.5 Support the development of effective partnerships between staff, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and their communities to facilitate accessibility, affordability and acceptability of appropriate health and workplace services

3. Identify immediate risks and needs

3.1 Comply with federal, state or territory workplace legislation which may impact on primary health care workers’ practice and responsibilities

3.2 Use culturally appropriate interpersonal skills to promote confidence and rapport, allowing the effective exchange of accurate and relevant information

3.3 Assess, analyse and respond to any indicators of risk or threats to the safety of children, young people, family and/or community members

3.4 Use culturally appropriate methods to accurately record relevant, specific and general circumstances to ensure that all relevant information is collected and complies with organisational, legal and ethical obligations

3.5 Identify own limitations in addressing and assessing clients’ needs and, where appropriate, seek assistance from appropriate community person/s or work collaboratively with relevant organisations

4. Implement strategies to empower children, young people, families and communities

4.1 Identify current community and government intervention and support policies in relation to family health issues in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities

4.2 Discuss the principles of community development and ways in which community development strategies promote empowerment and re-empowerment

4.3 Use culturally appropriate educational resources to assess, analyse and prevent identified children, youth and family health issues

4.4 Make appropriate referrals for clients with family health problems in line with community and organisational legislation and guidelines

Foundation Skills

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

Learning

in order to locate, evaluate and organise information to suit intended audience and purpose

Other foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit.