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 perform task skills task management skills contingency management skills and jobrole environment skills as outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit

These include sufficient knowledge of each of the following areas to undertake the role outlined

Importance of selfawareness in mental health peer work

Contemporary frameworks and influences underpinning mental health peer work including recovery trauma informed care person centred rights based selfdetermination holistic physical health and wellbeing

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

Work from demonstrated and consistent peer ethos

Work from demonstrated and consistent peer ethics

Social justice issues and approaches

Impacts of trauma and trauma informed care

Different understandings of mental illness and distress

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

Relevant policies standards and legislations that relate to peer work

Carer participation and leadership approaches

Range of services that exist to assist people to meet their needs

Community development and peer work

Types of work methods and practices which can improve on personal performance such as time management information management

Essential skills

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

Reflect on own attitudes behaviours and practice and how this affects other people

Work from demonstrated and consistent peer ethics

Apply a strengths based approach to work

Access other carer workers resources and services

Communicate effectively with carers and service providers

Complete documentation as required by the organisation and job role that is consistent with peer work approaches

Effective referral including identification of circumstances in which referral to a health or other professional is appropriate

Maintain confidentiality and explain limits of confidentiality

Strategic questioning to

develop understanding of carer perspective of their own experiences

support the rights and needs of carers

Respond to crisis appropriately according to job role and organisation policy

Use the carers preferred language and terminology

Identify barriers experienced by people affected by mental illness

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

Promote and support the right of consumers and carers to advocate on their own behalf and in their own interests

Self care strategies in mental health peer work

Basic workplace protocols for maintaining an effective workplace

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 used their lived experience to work effectively in a mental health carer peer worker role

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 carer himherself who has lived experience as a carer and demonstrated experience in a carer peer worker role

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

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 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

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

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 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 in this context as a Carer is defined as:

Maintain a safe and positive working relationship includes:

Clarify role of carer peer worker which may include but is not limited to:

Effective communication strategies may include:

Carer needs may include: