Elements and Performance Criteria
- Develop a collaborative relationship with the parent/s
- Spend time with parent/s to develop understanding of their perspectives and experiences
- Use language and communication that suits the family's needs
- Use strategies to develop trust in the service and the worker as required
- Take care to ensure privacy is maintained within the community
- Record information about contact to enable accurate and relevant communication next time
- Initiate conversations with parent/s relevant to their lives and perspectives
- Provide information to parent/s
- Provide relevant and timely information
- Answer questions and concerns or seek out relevant information for parent/s
- Give advice within limitations of worker's expertise
- Provide information about the child based on specific observations
- Suggest resources for the child
- Arrange referral to relevant services after consultation with parent/s, as required
- Listen to parent/s concerns or problems
- Give sufficient time according to the seriousness of the concern and level of parent's distress
- Arrange referral to appropriate service as relevant
- Ensure ideas/suggestions given to the parent are relevant to the parent's feelings
- Listen to concerns in a respectful manner
- Discuss child's progress and needs with the parent, with sensitivity to the parent's feelings
- Use strategies to debrief after emotionally demanding communication with parent/s
- Develop parent's capabilities in caring for their children