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

Competency must be demonstrated in a real work environment

Competence in this unit must be assessed over a period of time in order to ensure consistency of performance across contexts applicable to the work environment

Consistency in performance should consider the work environment, worker's role and responsibilities in the workplace

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 and linguistically diverse (CALD) environments

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:

Assessment of this competency will require human resources consistent with those outlined in the Assessment Guidelines

In cases where the learner does not have the opportunity to cover all relevant aspects in the work environment, the remainder should be assessed through realistic simulations, projects, previous relevant experience or oral questioning on 'What if?' scenarios

Method of assessment:

Assessment of this unit of competency will usually include observation of processes and procedures, oral and/or written questioning on essential knowledge and skills and consideration of required attitudes

Where performance is not directly observed and/or is required to be demonstrated over a 'period of time' and/or in a 'number of locations', any evidence should be authenticated by colleagues, supervisors, clients or other appropriate persons

Related units:

This unit of competency is recommended to be assessed in conjunction with a first aid unit

Depending on jurisdiction and job role, this may be:

HLTFA311A Apply first aid
or

HLTFA412A Apply advanced first aid

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:

Aspects of working with clients, including:

common relapse precipitants

a range of strategies for working with clients

case management principles

client empowerment/disempowerment

client-centred approach

different lifestyles

protocols around use of interpreters

range of cultural contexts (e.g. lifestyle, set of beliefs and customs)

rights of workers and clients

self-esteem, abuse issues, self-awareness, own biases, ethical obligations relating to helping relationships

strategies to promote participation in programs

types of counselling (e.g. motivational interviewing, brief and intensive intervention, and relapse prevention)

Co-morbidity issues relating to assessment of people with AOD issues

Effects of AOD use, including:

basic health issues relating to AOD use (e.g. malnutrition, blood borne diseases, skin infestations, effects of drug use on health, cognitive, social, emotional development and impact on others)

basic pharmacology (e.g. types of drugs, dose levels, effects of specific drugs, tolerance, and treatment approaches broadly)

consequences and effects of drug substitution/replacement

effects of prescribed drugs on the use of other drugs

patterns of drug use in Australia and the local community

range of use and use scenarios (e.g. lifestyle context of illegal drug use)

signs and symptoms of medical risk associated with AOD use

stages and symptoms of AOD withdrawal

the effects of alcohol-related brain injury

Established processes and protocols for determining:

health status

length of dependence

level of dependence

patterns of use

Legal and organisation knowledge, including:

legal and organisation requirements for client registration, allocation and referral

organisation policies and procedures for documenting work with clients

organisation policies on reporting and confidentiality

range of AOD specific treatment intervention options, including detoxification, inpatient treatment programs, outpatient treatment services and brief interventions

understanding agency role, agency target group and the impacts on the local community

Legal issues, including:

legal issues surrounding AOD use

legal status of drugs

Policy issues, including:

harm minimisation, including a range of approaches (e.g. prevention, early intervention, abstinence, specialist treatment, supply control and safer drug use)

public health model (e.g. interaction of impact of drugs, individual and the environment)

Risk management in relation to interventions for people with AOD and co-morbidity issues

Theoretical frameworks about motivation to change AOD use

Working with clients at risk of self-harm, including:

legal and ethical obligations regarding clients at risk of self-harm or with mental illnesses

links between predisposing factors for self-harm, drug use and mental health problems

no-suicide contracts and other protective strategies

suicidal or self-harming behaviour, ideation or intention

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Conduct assessments using established processes and protocols

Work with clients:

with a range of issues

in a range of settings

from different cultural backgrounds

in a non-judgemental way

in emergency situations

In addition, 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:

Demonstrate first aid certification or equivalent skills (as per unit HLTFA311A Apply first aid) including:

cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

bandaging

managing toxic substances

managing bleeding

managing broken bones

managing consciousness

managing choking and knowledge of coma positions

Establish rapport

Use active listening including questioning

Interpret verbal and non-verbal communication

Work with a range of clients

Contract with clients

Demonstrate application of skills in:

conflict resolution

negotiation

crisis intervention

protective intervention

advocacy

networking and liaison with other agencies

identification of support structures

Maintain documentation as required, including effective use of relevant information technology in line with work health and safety (WHS) guidelines

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.

Clients include:

Families and personal network of the client

Assessment may take place:

Face-to-face

By telephone

Other related information may include:

Co-morbidity (dual diagnosis) issues related to physical/sensory/intellectual/psychiatric disabilities

Developmental issues

Doctor’s or other professional’s reports

Information provided by family or support network

Information related to legal issues for persons under court/protective/statutory orders

That provided by other services via referral

Trauma issues, for example, for survivors of domestic violence, abuse, neglect or sexual assault

Current status of the client includes:

Determining readiness to change

Physical, emotional, financial, legal and psychosocial state and immediate needs in these areas

Other drug use in the family

Level of risk of deliberate self-harm behaviours and/or harm to others

Levels of risk behaviour associated with AOD use including behaviours which expose clients to blood borne diseases

Indicators of other issues may include:

A history of mental health issues

Indicators of abuse, neglect or harm including self-harm

Indicators of child abuse

Having no accommodation, employment or money

Options for meeting the range of client needs may include:

Referral to other services

Community intervention

Client's drug use history refers to collection of relevant information on:

Name, age, gender, and so on

Drug history

Social and legal history

Current status including housing status

Agency ability to cater for the client needs

Mental health issues

Other relevant related issues affecting clients

Early or short-term programs refers to:

Less intensive, shorter term activities that are an alternative to longer and more intensive programs. These brief interventions carried out by a range of workers, often opportunistically, are usually offered to those individuals who are less severely drug dependent

Current information on related issues includes information on:

Meeting physical, emotional, financial and social needs

Contacts for self-help groups

Resources on dependency

Resources on alcohol and other drugs issues for families or personal network

Advocacy groups

Information regarding mental health and self-harm

Crisis and emergency contacts

Goals and action plans may be short and long term and should include:

Harm minimisation (including abstinence, controlled drinking, safer sex, safer drug use, safe injecting)

Strategies to target reducing at risk behaviours

Goals and action plans may include:

Vocational goals (employment and training)

Accommodation

Meeting immediate physical needs

Maintenance of stable social and emotional environment

Reintegration within social context

Ensuring personal safety

Management of crisis

Timelines and priorities

Relapse prevention strategies may include:

Identification of drug use 'triggers' and working with the client to develop responses to deal with triggers

Referral to self help groups

Stress management advice

Ongoing positive support

Monitoring of the client's progress

Facilitating use of community resources

Encouraging client to develop a support network

Role play

Discussion of strategies for stress management, money management, goal setting, prioritising, problem solving, decision-making, disengagement

Client exit (negotiation of with the client) will depend on the organisation policies and procedures and the individual clients needs and may include:

Negotiation of contract with client

Providing information on what the client may expect when they leave

Providing follow up

Ending the client/worker relationship

Ensuring personal safety of clients at risk of self-harm including availability of ongoing supports from appropriate agencies

Access to harm reduction consumables e.g. Needles, syringes, and needle exchange programs

Client exit (organisation requirements) may include:

Client questionnaire

Documentation including reason for exit and condition of client at exit

Organisation's documentation on treatment/ assessment progress

Supporting a client to make contact with other services may include:

Making an appointment for the client

Accompanying client to first appointment

Organising for another appropriate person to accompany the client to an appointment

Organising interpreter services for the client

Appropriate services and other support options may include:

Detoxification

Inpatient counselling

Outpatient counselling

Self-help groups

Proclaimed place, rehabilitation centres, residential etc

Sobering up units

Services which provide consumables (e.g. syringes, thiamine, needle exchange, methadone or other drug substitution/replacement services)

Therapeutic communities

Department of Social Security

Accommodation

Emergency services

Mental health services

Follow up will depend on the organisation's policies and procedures and the client needs and may include:

Obtaining feedback and reports on outcomes of referrals from other agency in accordance with organisation policies and procedures including those referring to client confidentiality

Checking protective support for suicide risk is available if required

Making an appointment for follow up

Contact with client at referral agency

Liaison between alcohol and other drugs worker and other services

Outcomes may include:

Measurement of harm minimisation

Changes made during intervention and changes sustained over time

Those negotiated with the client as part of a management plan

Referral and acceptance to another treatment program or half-way house

Both positive and negative outcomes

Linkage with appropriate services

Client being moved from institution or service

Client changes - behaviour, attitudinal

Review against care plan may be:

Within the organisation

In consultation with other agencies