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 sufficient knowledge of the areas below to apply to their work in relation to this unit

Importance of self awareness in mental health peer work

Intention of purposeful sharing and positive use of lived experience in mental health peer work

Historical social political and economic contexts of mental health services and mental health consumer and carer movements

Philosophical ethical and values based approaches to peer work

International and national developments in consumer and carer peer work

History and context of selfdirected recovery and recovery principles facilitation pathways and practices

Impacts and different types of stigma for consumers and carers including selfstigma individual stigma community stigma prejudice and discrimination on the recovery journey

Social justice issues principles and approaches including working from a rights based framework and awareness of the rights and responsibilities of consumer and carers and peer workers

Impacts of trauma and the role of the peer workforce in trauma informed care

Impacts of mental health systems on consumers and carers

Different understandings of mental illness and distressissues

Principles and practices of duty of care as these apply to peer work

Selfcare strategies and processes reflection in peer work

Essential skills

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

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

Apply and promote the underpinning values ethics and philosophies of mental health peer work in all aspects of work

Articulate and extrapolate lived experience to

establish rapport

provide hope

provide objective information and opportunity for consumercarer exploration of opportunities rights and options in recovery planning

building a shared understanding

Implement the ethics values and intentions of the consumercarer workforce

Communicate effectively with consumerscarers and service providers

Maintain confidentiality and explain limits of confidentiality

Participate in selfcare strategies in mental health peer work

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 on the job or in a simulated workplace under the normal range of conditions

Consistency in performance should consider the requirements of the particular workplace context

The candidate must show evidence that they have been able to apply learnings from their own lived experience to working with peers in a mental health context

Conditions of assessment

This unit includes skills and knowledge specific to mental health peer work

Assessment must be undertaken by a qualified Assessor as determined by the Australian Quality Training Framework who has lived experience and holds this unit of competency or demonstrated equivalent competencies

OR

A consumercarer himherself who has lived experience and demonstrated experience in a consumer peer worker or carer peer worker role

AND

Accompanied by a qualified Assessor who has the necessary assessment competencies as determined by the Australian Quality Training Framework

Where the candidate being assessed in a consumer peer worker context they must be assessed by an experienced consumer peer worker with lived experience and a qualified Assessor where the consumer peer worker is not a qualified assessor

Where the candidate is being assessed in a carer peer worker context they must be assessed by an experienced carer peer worker who has lived experience and a qualified assessor where the carer peer worker is not a qualified assessor

Access and equity considerations

All workers in community and health 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 and linguistically 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

In recognition of particular issues facing culturally and linguistically CALD diverse communities workers should be aware of cultural and current issues impacting on CALD groups

Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues in particular relating to factors impacting on individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse communities

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit can be assessed independently however holistic assessment practice with other mental health peer work units of competency is encouraged

Resources required for assessment of this unit include access to a workplace or simulated workplace where assessment may occur

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 or other appropriate persons

Lived experience - Consumer in this context means:

Lived experience - Carer in this context means:

Framing stories for different purposes may include:

Ensure sharing is positive, purposeful may include:

Peer ethics in this context means:

Peer ethics are essentially about actively facilitating and promoting the self-determination and empowerment of people who are affected by mental distress

Recognise sharing of your personal story is one component of job role may include:

Own vulnerabilitiesmay include:

Vicarious trauma in this context is defined as:

Needs may include:

Reasonable adjustments in the workplace may include: