Essential skills: It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to: Use interpersonal skills including listening, empathetic responding, paraphrasing, summarising, questioning, body language, models of conflict resolution, assertiveness, tact and sensitivity Work as part of a team including working with co-facilitator to model respectful and cooperative communication and behaviour Establish and maintain boundaries of practice with program participants Deal with conflict in an open, assertive and appropriate manner Be aware and responsive to diverse groups of people who may challenge own values and beliefs Work with reluctant clients and deal with unexpected (and sometimes inappropriate) reactions and input from participants Maintain appropriate levels of confidentiality Empower and support clients who are experiencing difficulties as they make decisions and seek help Set appropriate boundaries, manage issues of triangulation, and develop collaborative working relationships Monitor self and capabilities to minimise the negative impact of work on own personal health and well being Engage with and facilitate the relational/emotional system in couples in order to bring about positive change Assess family functioning De-mystify and normalise key issues for couples and families including step couples and step families 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: Work inclusively with the whole client, considering the full range of possible influences in their lives including: personality, culture, language, religion, age, gender, family of origin, education levels, learning abilities, economic situation, social context, health, disabilities and issues the interplay and dynamics of each of the above ability to respond respectfully to the whole person demonstrating inclusive practice through competently valuing each and every person as a whole unique individual Deliver interventions in a way that is sensitive to special needs of clients (gender, age, socioeconomic status, culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, family of origin, larger systems issues of client) Articulate rationales for interventions related to program and relationship goals, plans, assessment, information and systemic understanding of clients context and dynamics |