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 is best assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace under the normal range of conditions

This unit must be assessed with all other specialisation units chosen as part of a package at a particular Australian Qualifications Framework level

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 an appropriate workplace where assessment can be conducted or simulation of realistic workplace setting for assessment

Method of assessment may include:

Observation

Written assessment

Case studies

Evidence of materials developed in the workplace

Questioning

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:

Principles of community delivered service provision

Holistic and client-centred service

Principles of client empowerment/disempowerment

Principles of access and equity

Awareness of components of the social housing sector, including:

homelessness

crisis management

crisis refuges - youth and family violence

cooperatives

transitional housing

long term housing

Policy, regulatory, legislative and legal requirements include:

residential tenancy legislation or equivalent

legislation underpinning the principles of privacy, equal opportunity, individual rights, and freedom of information

and may include:

housing legislation, as appropriate

National Community Housing Standards

Disability Services Act and standards

national housing policy

relevant state based legislation

Context of social housing provision, including: historical, social, political and economic aspects

Current issues facing clients and existing services to address their needs and rights

Principles and practices of ethics and values

Principles and practices of confidentiality

Principles and practice of duty of care

Legal system:

courts

police powers

court reports

tribunals

Knowledge specific to working with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Demonstrate understanding of own work role within the context of the social housing sector

Demonstrate understanding of organisation role within the context of the social housing sector

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:

Prepare reports so that the information and organisation of information is appropriate to its purposes and audience

Work as part of a team or as a sole worker

Demonstrate the application of skills in:

interpersonal communication with clients and other stakeholders

problem solving

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.

Context includes:

Statutory framework within which work takes place

Changing social context of work e.g. consumer centred approach, changing government and societal views of not-for-profit housing, approaches to working with clients/service users/members/tenants

Different models of work in the sector may include:

Housing management

Tenancy management

Tenancy support

Tenancy advice/advocacy

Community development and education

Case management

Stakeholders may include:

Consumers/service users/clients/members/tenants

Local community

Community organisations

Government representatives and service providers

Peak bodies and networks in the sector

Management, colleagues, team members

Central philosophies of the social housing sector may include:

A social justice perspective

Community development approach

Housing as a right not a privilege

A holistic and consumer-centred approach

Commitment to meeting the needs and upholding the rights of consumers

Commitment to empowering the consumer

A commitment to access and equity principles includes:

Creation of a consumer oriented culture

A non-discriminatory approach to all people using the service, their family and friends, the general public and co-workers

Ensuring the work undertaken takes account of and caters for differences including: cultural, physical, religious, economic, social