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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Clarify client's financial position
  2. Develop and use advocacy and negotiation tools
  3. Collect and develop resources to assist and inform clients
  4. Provide client with relevant resources
  5. Produce quality written materials to assist client outcomes

Required Skills

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

Agency policies and procedures

Legal framework

Financial systems and framework

Social economic and government policy context

Duty of care

Support networks

Model for preparing financial statements and budgets

Social economic and government policy context

Essential skills

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

Use a range of communication skills effectively including

telephone

written

facetoface

Demonstrate application of skills in

research

negotiation

advocacy

client facilitation

Present evidence to support a case

Research and prepare resource information for clients

Research and prepare resource tools for use in financial counselling

Evidence Required

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 of range conditions

Assessment should be gathered on one or more occasions but must reflect the normal range of client situations encountered 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 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 andor 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 of this unit include access to

an appropriate workplace where assessment can take place or simulation of realistic workplace setting for assessment

Method of 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 processes and procedures oral andor written questioning on Essential knowledge and skills and consideration of required attitudes

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

Related units

This unit is part of a suite of units that describe the financial counselling process and are to be assessed concurrently or sequentially

CHCFINA Identify and apply technical information to assist clients with financial issues

CHCFIN501A Identify and apply technical information to assist clients with financial issues

CHCFINA Facilitate the financial counselling process

CHCFIN502A Facilitate the financial counselling process

CHCFINA Develop and use financial counselling tools and techniques

CHCFIN503A Develop and use financial counselling tools and techniques


Range Statement

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.

Information on clients financial situation and relevant personal details will include:

Income and entitlements

Credit and debt commitments

Assets

Household expenditure

Possible sources of financial assistance

Employment status

Constituents of Household

Any personal issues with direct impact on the financial situation

Status and validity of contracts may include:

Original documents

Signatories

Guarantors

Co-borrowers

Timeframe

Contract calculations

Security

Payment history

Written tools for use in advocacy and negotiation may include:

Letters to achieve a specific advocacy purpose

Letter to represent the needs of specific clients or client groups

Reports for funding bodies

Citizens advocacy kits

Checklists

Action plan may be:

Short term or long term

Strategies to address their circumstances may include:

Assessment of the legality of debts

Assessment of possible legal remedies

Development of a money plan

Strategies for increasing income

Strategies for decreasing expenditure

Strategies for reducing credit and debt problems

Referral to other appropriate professionals

Referrals to range of support services that may address client issues may include:

Government income support agencies

Support agencies for mental health, domestic violence, alcohol and other drugs (AOD) issues, gambling counselling etc.

Accommodation agencies including emergency housing agencies

Community health centres

Family support agencies

Local community support networks

Financial assistance agencies

Emergency relief agencies

Dispute Resolution Services

Free legal services

Other Counselling services

Clinical supervision may include:

General supervision by a senior financial counsellor

Mentor group meetings

Review with peers

Interagency meetings to discuss cases

Professional development activities may include:

In-house training

External training

Attendance at conferences, seminars

Clinical supervision

Attendance at industry association activities

Case presentations/discussions