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

Observation of workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of client situations or scenarios relevant to the workplace including

couples counselling

individual counselling as planned strategy for relationships intervention

complex cases of consistent high level of relationship conflict

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:

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

Assessment of this unit of competence will usually include observation of live relationship counselling, 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 workplace settings, any evidence should be authenticated by colleagues, supervisors, clients or other appropriate persons

Method of assessment

Observation in the workplace is essential

Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge

Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice

Counselling skills involving direct client contact are to be assessed initially on two occasions in a simulated counselling setting. If successful, further assessment is required during 10 hours actual counselling practice under direct supervision

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate

Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality, gender or language barriers other than English

Where the candidate has a disability, reasonable adjustment may be applied during assessment

Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role

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:

The historical development of counselling theories and practice approaches

Own prejudices and stereotyping attitudes and behaviour and the potential influence these may have on counselling practice.

Limitations imposed on the counsellor client relationship as a result of professional and ethical responsibility in the context of an unequal balance of power in the counselling setting.

Limitations to the effectiveness or usefulness of counsellor in some circumstances and course of actions appropriate for client referral when necessary

Contracting and reaching agreements with client about the nature, process and expected timeframes and responsibilities for counsellor and client within the provisions of counselling

Importance and opportunities for continuing professional development and maintaining a professional level of self awareness of current scientific and professional information and education in the area of counselling practices.

Indicators and dynamics of domestic and family violence and complexities of interpersonal interactions, e.g. power, abuse and conflict

Procedures and instruments to screen for abuse before, during and after couple or family counselling and any additional safety planning requirements and procedures for clients and staff. Also, option for not offering relationship counselling where there is violence

Referral options and pathways to support clients seeking interventions and supports beyond or in conjunctions with counselling

The importance and intent of counsellor participation in supervision

Relevant state and federal legislation applicable to counselling practice

Limitations of confidentiality that may arise in the counselling setting

Contemporary research and approaches to counselling in diverse cultural contexts

Relevance of concepts of couple, family and child dynamics in normal and abnormal developmental forms

Critical understanding and appreciation of the main approaches used in couple counselling

Critical understanding of the theories of major couple counselling approaches,

Stages of human development and how this knowledge applies to relationship counselling practice

Human diversity including culture, gender, age, ability, class, spirituality and ethnicity

continued ...

Essential knowledge (contd):

Recognise the role of social contexts in the counselling relationship

Issues impacting on same sex couples

Family and relationship research and implications for practice

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Establish and explain professional relationships in the counselling context

Identify and adhere to legislative requirements of counselling in a broad range of contexts including Family Law and counselling couples, families and children

Explain counselling goals and action plans and outline relationship counselling process and agreements

Assess and screen for domestic and family violence and child abuse using a range of indicators and processes

Monitor own competence through counselling supervision and be willing to consider the views expressed by clients and by counsellor colleagues

Manage the counselling role within an ethical context and discuss with clients processes referral where necessary

Comprehend a variety of individual and systemic therapeutic relationship approaches ant their application, including evidence-based therapies and culturally sensitive approaches

Recognise the strengths limitations and contraindications of specific therapeutic approaches, including risk of harm associated with approaches that incorporate assumptions of family dysfunction

Apply an appropriate relationship counselling approach and identify specific techniques to ensure client needs are met, including those needs of same sex couples

Apply advanced relationship counselling interventions and explain the contribution of counselling interventions to the therapeutic process

Compare and contrast relationship counselling theories and approaches

Identify common concerns in the provision of counselling processes

Work in a multidisciplinary environment where appropriate

Manage confidentiality of information obtained from clients during the counselling process

Maintain a solid theoretical base for effective and contemporary counselling practice

Manage the dynamics of counselling couples experiencing high levels of ongoing conflict

Respect and promote client self determination and ability to make own decisions within the clients value, beliefs and context

Demonstrate sensitivity when counselling individual and couples from diverse backgrounds

Produce case records, files and reports to a standard acceptable to industry and obtain client consent for release of information

Complete case work and participate effectively in case management processes where appropriate

Apply practitioner self critique and non-defensive recognition of own errors

Join and manage the relational/emotional system in couples

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.

Assess for domestic and family violence issuesmay refer to:

Processes for proactively enquiring about the presence of family domestic violence with the intention of preventing further violence or harm

Issues of safety or riskmay refer to but are not limited to:

Being physically hurt and emotionally intimidated, bullied, harassed or controlled

Threatened with physical harm and emotional intimidation, bullying or harassment

Harm or threat of harm to children

Harm or threat of harm to pets and loved ones

Harm or threat of harm to property

Inability to fully participate in significant events such as court ordered mediations

Having residential address known by a person who uses violence against you

Financial abuse

Sexual abuse

Social isolation

Support services may include:

Crisis intervention services

Legal or medical services

Family and domestic violence services

Child support services

Culturally specific services

Accommodation services

Access to services/information

Financial services

Child support agency

Mediation services

Living skills and problem solving programs

Educational programs

Specialist services

Mental health services

Statutory chid protection authorities

Engage may include techniques and strategies such as:

Conversation - non problem-focused

Discuss self as counsellor in professional manner

Display respect and non-judgemental attitude

Distribute time equally between individuals in couple

Use open questioning in a non threatening manner

Empathy and rapport

Counselling contexts may include:

Couple therapy including same sex couples therapy

Separate sessions with individuals in the relationship

Presenting problems may include:

Pre and post separation issues

Parenting and agreements

Sexual relationship issues

Fertility and/or pregnancy issues

Intimacy issues

Grief and loss experienced one or both parties

Family of origin influences

Specific issues for same sex couples

Cross cultural relationships

Questioning techniques may include but are not limited to:

Questioning to scan relationship web

Reflexive questioning

Relational questioning

Circular questioning

Terminate counselling sessions may include:

Planned termination of counselling

Client's decision to terminate the sessions

Counsellor assesses and identifies issues of concern in a client case where to continue counselling would be unethical and/or place the client and/or others at risk

Interruptions to counselling may include:

Counsellor illness

Counsellor planned leave

Counsellor changes employment

Interruptions due to organisation change

Counsellor ceases practice

Other external factors e.g. client illness, expert recommendations that counselling cease

Feedback strategies may include but are not limited to:

Interviews with colleagues

Evaluation forms

Complaints

Recommendations

Suggestions

Focus group work