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

Roles and responsibilities of self and team in relation to worker safety within child protection systems

Legislation relevant to child protection risk assessment work particular for work occurring away from the immediate workplace eg occupational health and safety OHS

Powers orders and processes relating to key legal bodies in child protection

Documentation processes and organisation information systems and tools to be used for safety assessment in child protection teams including debriefing systems

Statutory responsibilities and delegations for staff and clients

Code of conduct for child protection workers

Critical incident reporting procedures

Risk management processes to be applied within organisation occupational health and safety frameworks

Essential skills

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

Document child protection notifications and include recording of logical connections made between concerns expressed analysis and decisionmaking and response is congruent with assessment

Provide accurate documentation using tools provided by the 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

Assess and record team safety risk assessment considerations

Support team members to maintain safety during home visits supervised contacts child risk assessments

Conduct debriefing processes with the team post critical incidents

Disseminate changes and improvements in policy and procedures related to worker safety on and off site within the context of working with high risk cases

Problem solving in complex situations with high risk cases

Maintain effective communication processes to ensure staff are informed of important issues about high risk cases that may affect their safety

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 of competence must be assessed in the workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions

Consistency in performance should consider the range of clients and specific needs that will 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 include access to relevant workplace or simulated realistic workplace setting where assessment may take place

Method of assessment

Assessment may include observation questioning and evidence gathered from a workplace environment

Potential and actual risks to worker safety associated with child protection work may include:

Range of child protection work situations may include:

Organisation policy and procedures may include:

Contingency responsesmay include:

Workplace health and safety procedures when carrying out functions of child protection work may include:

Strategies that support and promote the resilience of team members may include:

Internal and external support networks may include: