CHCMGT601B - Contribute to effective governance in the community sector
Assessor Resource
CHCMGT601B Contribute to effective governance in the community sector
Assessment tool
Version 1.0 Issue Date: May 2024
The knowledge and skills of this unit of competency should be used by workers involved in higher level practice and/or management in the community sector
The unit reflects specific requirements in relation to high level leadership in organisations or government departments in the community sector, where one individual may have comprehensive leadership responsibilities, including providing support and guidance in relation to governance issues
Governance essentially refers to 'the systems and processes concerned with ensuring the overall direction, effectiveness, supervision and accountability of an organisation'and may involve government or privately appointed Boards, trustees or other type of governing body
This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to support, guide and maintain effective governance of community sector organisation/s
You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)
Prerequisites
Not Applicable
Employability Skills
This unit contains Employability Skills
Evidence Required
List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.
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 most appropriately assessed in a work context or in a simulated workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions
It is recommended that assessment take place on more than one occasion
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
Where assessment is conducted within the workplace there are no resource implications above those normally available in the workplace
Method of assessment:
Demonstration of competency within the working environment to learn from others and reflect on performance
Where there is not an 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
Observation of processes and procedures, oral and/or written questions 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
Submission Requirements
List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here
Assessment task 1: [title] Due date:
(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)
Assessment Tasks
Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.
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:
Compliance requirements and issues facing the organisation
Governance functions and integrity in community sector organisations
Organisation's policies, procedures and system of internal control and performance reporting
Organisation's strategic direction as described in its vision, mission and values and supporting strategic planning documentation
Principles and practices of effective governance, in particular applying to organisations in the community sector
Principles of access, equity and inclusion and their specific application in relation to community sector organisation/s
Risks facing an organisation in the community sector and associated risk assessment and management policies, procedures and measures
Roles and responsibilities of governing body/ies in community sector organisations
Understanding of key issues in organisation management, relating to:
human resource management
financial management
resource and asset management
change management
contract management
collaborative partnerships in community sector work
Essential skills:
It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:
Contribute effectively to governance of a community sector organisation
Maintain personal integrity in participation in governance of community sector organisation
Provide leadership to support governance of an organisation functioning in the community sector
Support stakeholder consultation and engagement in community sector organisation
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 application of skills in:
communication
critical thinking
negotiation
problem solving
Provide leadership to identify, promote and address environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues
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.
Principles of effective governance include:
Application of high ethical standards and integrity and processes for dealing with any conflict of interest
Clarity of governance functions and responsibilities and effective discharge of these
Collective responsibility and accountability for monitoring and ensuring organisation compliance and performance
Effective leadership and control of an organisation to ensure setting of appropriate strategic directions, delivery of identified services/objectives and upholding of identified values
Identified functions of sub-committees, officers, staff and other agents, delegated authorities and performance monitoring
Open, responsive communication and consultation with and accountability to users, beneficiaries, members, partners and other stakeholders
Regular review of organisation and governing body and appropriate renewal to ensure ongoing effectiveness
Governing body role must include, but is not limited to:
Accepting responsibility in law for actions and decisions of governing body
Agreeing or ratifying all policies and decisions on matter that may create significant risk to organisation
Dealing with appointment and, if necessary, dismissal of organisation's chief executive
Ensuring compliance with organisation's purposes, values and governing documentation
Ensuring organisation's compliance with all relevant laws, regulations and requirements of regulators
Ensuring organisation's solvency, financial strength and good performance
Ensuring organisation's vision, mission, values, activities and objectives are aligned
Setting and maintaining framework of delegation and internal controls
Setting or approving policies, plans and budgets to achieve identified objectives and monitoring performance against them
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.
Observation Checklist
Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice
Yes
No
Comments/feedback
Identify governing body role and responsibilities in relation to organisation's compliance with own objectives and legislative/regulatory requirements, financial performance and solvency, policy development and/or ratification, risk management and internal management
Focus on strategic direction to maintain integrity of organisation's purpose and activities
At all times act reasonably, in the interests of the organisation and its stakeholders, independently of any other group or organisation
Maintain equal responsibility for the actions and decisions of the governing body
Where involved in operation decisions and matters, maintain clear distinction between role at strategic and operational levels
Where appropriate, contribute to definition of roles, responsibilities and terms of reference of sub-committees and individual members of governing body
Monitor organisation's performance and address any issues relating to compliance with own governing document, financial solvency, legislative/regulatory and, where appropriate licensing/accreditation requirements
Monitor and review organisation policies, procedures and reporting mechanisms to ensure ongoing compliance, especially in relation to changing requirements
Monitor any fund raising activities and donations to ensure compliance with relevant requirements
Review changing trends in the community sector to ensure organisation's ongoing adherence to and leadership in promoting and applying underpinning philosophy and approaches
Set and maintain relevant systems of financial control, internal control, performance reporting and policies and procedures
Put in place and ensure implementation of system for regular review of organisation's internal policies, systems and controls to ensure their effectiveness
Where appropriate set up quality assurance/audit practices, processes and personnel
Identify and assess risks facing the organisation, staff, users and other stakeholders, and take appropriate steps to minimise exposure to risk
Avoid undertaking activities which may place at undue risk organisation's users, beneficiaries, volunteers, staff, property, assets or reputation
Obtain advice from appropriate authorities if required in relation to matters where there may be material risk to the organisation or where trustees may be in breach of their duties
As a member of the governing body, take ultimate responsibility for dealing with and managing conflicts that may arise within or on behalf of the organisation
Put in place policy and procedures to enable confidential reporting of matters of concern, such as misconduct, misuse of funds, mis-management and risks to the organisation or its stakeholders
Set strategies and action plans to support organisation's achievement of access, equity and inclusion objectives
Monitor and review organisation's application of principles of access, equity and inclusion in relation to:
Where organisation is set up to service a specific section of the community, ensure this is clear and that principles of access, equity and inclusion are interpreted and applied in a manner appropriate to organisation objectives
Contribute to regular review of effectiveness of governing body
Contribute to recruitment and selection of new members of governing body
Contribute to ongoing strategic review of organisation's work as a basis for constructive change and innovation
Ensure all staff, volunteers and agents have clear and sufficient delegated authority to discharge their duties effectively, where necessary within clearly identified limits relating to budgetary and/or other matters
Ensure any benefit from involvement in governance of the organisation is within what is allowable by law and in the interests of the organisation
Identify and promptly declare any actual or potential conflict of interest and, if necessary, offer to resign from position of governance
Follow organisation guidelines for declaration of personal gifts or hospitality received in relation to organisation's business or from personnel or organisations connected with the organisation
Maintain open communication and consultation between the organisation and its stakeholders to ensure:
Forms
Assessment Cover Sheet
CHCMGT601B - Contribute to effective governance in the community sector
Assessment task 1: [title]
Student name:
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I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.
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Result: Competent Not yet competent
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Assessment Record Sheet
CHCMGT601B - Contribute to effective governance in the community sector
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Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent
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Feedback to student:
Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent