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:

This unit requires a demonstrated ability to work with user of domestic and family violence to assist them to individually acknowledge their responsibility for their violent and abusive behaviour

In particular, evidence must be obtained on the ability to:

Critically assess a users of domestic and family violence motivation for change

Promote the users of domestic and family violence sole responsibility for their violence and abuse and an awareness of the impact of this behaviour on other people

Facilitate processes that enable the user of domestic and family violence to make choices about changing thinking and behaviour

Monitor and critically evaluate changes in the light of information from a variety of sources

Evaluate and critically self reflect on the impact of the worker's actions throughout the intervention process

Maintain an evidence-based, good practice basis for working with users of violence and abuse

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 and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Context of and specific resources for assessment:

Evidence will be determined by selection from the Range Statement, justified in terms of work requirements, work roles and responsibilities and occupational specialisations

Resources may include:

Literature and information relating to the theory and practice of providing integrated domestic violence services and interventions for users of violence and abuse

Internet resources

Agency/organisation policies and procedures

Literature and information relating to the legislative and criminal justice system in relation to domestic violence

Access to interventions for users of violence and abuse

Method of assessment:

Evidence for assessment of competence may be gathered by appropriate combination of the following:

demonstration of competency within the working environment in delivering services to clients living with and affected by domestic and family violence

realistic simulations, projects, previous relevant experience or oral questioning on 'what if?' scenarios

observation of processes and procedures, oral and/or written questions on essential knowledge and skills and consideration of required attitudes

where performance is not directly observed and/or is required to be demonstrated over a period of time and/or in a number of locations, any evidence should be authenticated by colleagues, supervisors, clients or other appropriate persons

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:

Gendered analysis of domestic violence and abuse

Effects of domestic violence

Child protection and domestic violence/family violence and family court legislation/protocols

Court report requirements

Dynamics of power and control in relationships

Risk assessment

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Use group processes which recognise and act in relation to personal responsibility and challenge key aspects of behaviour (e.g. denial, minimisation, justification, blame, collusion)

Write court reports

Recognise suspected child abuse and neglect

Know when and how to notify of child abuse and neglect

Analyse and evaluate own values

Apply group process skills which focus on utilising group dynamics, challenging/ confrontation and facilitation techniques

Use counselling skills which focus on engaging the user of domestic and family violence around issues of violence, abuse, coercive behaviours, abuse of power and controlling behaviours

Challenge the users of domestic and family violence beliefs and attitudes about the women that support their use of violence

Challenge users of domestic and family violence re their beliefs and attitudes about the use of violence

Refrain from adversarial challenging

Maintain position of respect in relation to the user of domestic and family violence

Recognise and deal with/challenge accountability and resistance to accountability for abusive behaviour

Articulate any apply defined framework of frameworks of accountability in interventions with men

Address issues in relation to child protection that are encountered during the course of the intervention

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 risks

Critically analyse and evaluate the users of domestic and family violence re their engagement in the intervention process and take action to deal with any non-compliance in relation to legal orders and other established agreed contracts

Work effectively with the criminal justice system in ways that promote and ensure accountability by the user of domestic and family violence for their actions

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.

Accountability frameworks refer to processes that facilitate open and transparent review of actions of users of domestic and family violence that can be subject to review by legitimated others and are directed to:

People's experience of domestic violence

Current knowledge about the experience of domestic violence on all persons in the community who have been abused or are vulnerable to violence and abuse

Agencies/organisations and services that represent and assist people who experience domestic and family violence and abuse

Statutory agencies/organisations that address domestic violence including the criminal justice system

Funding agencies/organisations that support intervention programs

Public context of the behaviour of users of domestic and family violence may include:

Rights to the safety of children and partners

Criminality of some violent and abusive behaviour

Domestic and family violence legislation including restraint orders

Stalking legislation

Child protection legislation

Community attitudes to use of domestic and family violence

Child protection in the context of the work includes:

All existing child protection legislative requirements including mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect

Agency/organisation policies and procedures for the protection of children

Child protection actions and strategies include:

Interventions usually by statutory agency including legally required reporting to prioritise the safety of children

Formal arrangements by agreement or law for interagency cooperation for child protection

Legal orders include:

Apprehended violence orders (AVO) domestic violence orders (DVO) violence restraint orders (VRO)

Probation and parole orders

Interstate orders (ISO)

Child protection orders

Family court orders

Other sources of relevant information may include:

Police officers

Correctional service workers

Police prosecutors and prosecutors

Family law court personnel

Alcohol and drug court personnel

Other family members

Health workers/medical practitioners

School teachers

The criminal justice system includes:

Any law enforcement body or agency including police, prosecutors and courts, and community corrections/probation and parole/commonwealth justice officers