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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Develop a professional rapport with people who are forced migrants
  2. Work within the context of the settlement services sector
  3. Address issues associated people who are forced migrants
  4. Demonstrate commitment to the central philosophies of the settlement sector
  5. Understand the process of acquisition of life skills

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 and understanding of migration including

what migration is and what forms it takes

causes and impacts of forced migration

knowledge of the international protection regime

Australias response to forced migration

immigration processes including how and why people selected to come to Australia

meaning of various visa subclasses

the profile of the current humanitarian program entrants and their experience and the impact of this on their settlement needs

Knowledge and understanding of settlement issues including

what is settlement current theories phases indicators etc

settlement needs practical and emotional of new entrants

services available to new entrants and how these services can be accessed

what a settlement plan is

government service principles as a sound underpinning for work in the sector

Understanding of refugee experience including recognising effects of torture and trauma in order to make appropriate referral

The impact of migration on the family and the impact of change roles within the family

The importance of identity including recognising the significance of giving clients a chance to define themselves for example according to either their ethnicity or their current circumstances

Legislation and policy relevant to the provision of settlement services

Client confidentiality and privacy requirements

Mandatory reporting requirements as appropriate

Organisation codes of practice

Services available from the agency

Own role and responsibilities and the importance of teamwork in the provision of settlement services

Knowledge of the principles of equal employment opportunity sex race disability antidiscrimination and similar legislation and the implications for work and social practices

Referral networks and their service provision

Availability of resources and assistance within and external to the organisation

Strategies to maintain personal well being

Professional boundaries

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

These include the ability to

Provide services within established timeframes

Sensitively communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures

Form effective workplace relationships with coworkers and colleagues from diverse backgrounds and cultures

Participate in identifying and implementing safe work practices

Employ basic conflict resolution and negotiation skills

Complete relevant government and other documentation and forms

Communicate sensitively with clients to establish needs

Develop deliver and monitor the delivery of a settlement plan

Teach life skills in a way that

is respectful assessment of prior knowledge and abilities

creates an environment where people are able to admit they dont know

creates a safe space in which people can try new things

prioritises the teaching of new skills

supports people who have no conceptual constructs to which new learning can be attached

builds clients confidence and independence

assesses clients acquired competencies

Involve clients in decisionmaking processes

Maintain a distance between self and client in service provision

Refer appropriately

Provide effective advocacy

Problem solve in the context of finding solutions to complex issues

Work effectively with interpreters

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

Assessment may be conducted on one or more occasions but should include the normal range of workplace activities

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

Method of assessment

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


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.

Forced migrants include people with:

Refugee or special humanitarian visas, those granted refugee status in Australia, business and skilled migrants whose prime motivation for leaving their country was to escape violence and/or persecution, and the immediate family members of anyone from the aforementioned groups

Cultural sensitivities may include:

Recognition of the impact of forced migration on the person and the family

Recognition of the impact of one's own ethnicity, gender, class and religion will have on the client

Appropriate interpreter services may include:

Those that are sensitive to the client's ethnicity, gender and religion

Those that ensure that the client is able to understand the dialect spoken by the interpreter

The role and scope of settlement services may include:

Supporting migrants, in particular forced migrants, to adjust to their new life in Australia

Ensuring forced migrants are linked to relevant supports and services

Assisting forced migrants to understand the range of services available for them in Australia and the importance of utilising these services

Empowering forced migrants to advocate appropriately for themselves

Assisting forced migrants to feel secure and to regain their dignity and a sense of control over their lives

Assisting forced migrants to make appropriate links to others within their community and in the general community

Facilitating community development in forced migrant communities

Current issues may include:

Current issues in relation to international protection

Resettlement trends

Size and composition of Australia's migration program

Government settlement policy

The settlement service delivery framework

Community and social attitudes to migrants and refugees

Different frameworks may include:

Case management

Empowerment

Social action

Client-centred

Strengths-based

Rights based

Community development

Appropriate personnel or services may include:

Specialist counselling services

Torture and trauma services

Financial planners

Translators and interpreters

English teachers

Accommodation workers

Specialist workers within own organisation

Client needs and issues may include:

Initial orientation

Settlement advice

Access to secure and affordable accommodation

Linkages with appropriate services (including income support, health care, education, employment etc)

Financial planning support

Family support

Torture and trauma counselling

Language support and training

Educational and professional advice

Linkages with appropriate services (including income support, health care, education, employment etc) that address their specific needs

Potential solutions may include:

Basic settlement milestones met

Family members engaged in meaningful activity

Family functioning as cohesive unit

Entrants linked to their own community

Entrants acting as their own advocates