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.

Observation of workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit.

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of client situations or scenarios relevant to the workplace including :

facilitated family dispute resolution

family conciliation

co-facilitated dispute resolution

with voluntary and involuntary participants

case of parenting and property disputes

multiparty dispute resolution

complex cases where family violence is/has been a factor

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:

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 and/or written questioning 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 workplace settings, any evidence should be authenticated by colleagues, supervisors, clients or other appropriate persons

Method of assessment may include:

Observation in the workplace

Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge

Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice.

Dispute resolution skills involving actual client contact are to be assessed initially in simulated settings

If successful, further assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision of an experienced and qualified dispute resolution practitioner

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate

Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality, gender or language barriers other than English

Where the candidate has a disability, reasonable adjustment may be applied during assessment

Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role

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:

Contemporary research and approaches in the provision of conflict management

Contemporary research and approaches in responding to needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities

Contemporary research and approaches in responding to needs of Culturally and linguistically diverse families and communities

Impact of conflict, particularly high and/or ongoing conflict, on children, and the use of child focused and child inclusive techniques to address and minimise these impacts

Understanding and relevant application within job role context of main concepts of family, couple and child dynamics in normal developmental and abnormal forms

An understanding of the sources of power imbalances in relationships and an ability to recognise and respond appropriately to the indicators of such imbalances in their clients.

Procedures and instruments to screen for abuse before and during the dispute resolution process in addition to safety planning requirements and procedures for clients and staff as well as limitations.

Community, educational or other resources for referral or use within the dispute resolution process

Self knowledge, including personal and cultural attitudes toward family conflict and the impact of self on the parties and process

Range of impacts of separation and divorce on couples, parents, children and other family members

Knowledge of behaviour and socialisation theories including those which emphasise that thinking patterns can be changed to give people acceptable and constructive alternatives to harmful behaviour

Understanding of the prevalence of beliefs in the broader society which condone violence, and individuals' rights to safety and autonomy

Knowledge of legislative requirements and provisions relevant to area of service delivery and delegated responsibility

Knowledge which incorporates theories and concepts of planning and control procedures, resource management and risk management

A knowledge of techniques for dealing with potentially volatile clients and group situations

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Apply dispute diagnostic skills including:

recognising indicators of substance abuse

recognise and respond appropriately to the indicators of domestic and family violence and abuse and power imbalances in client situations

identifying, responding to and managing cultural dimensions of the conflict

recognise own reactions to the dispute and/or disputants that might impair practitioner ability to conduct a fair process

Apply relationship skills including:

effective liaison and working relationships with other allied professionals

establishing and maintaining trust and respect

encourage client self determination

recognise own reactions to the dispute and/or disputants that might impair practitioner ability to conduct a fair process

apply age appropriate methods of relating to and eliciting perceptions, information and responses from children who have experienced high levels of parental conflict

Apply process skills including:

conducting appropriate intake procedures and ascertaining appropriateness of mediation for participants

assisting participants to articulate concerns, negotiate and develop an agenda

assisting participants in converting positions of interest and to explore own underlying interests and become aware of others, particularly children

work within a child focused approach.

encourage clients to focus on future options and contingencies and to create and assess workable options

assist clients to understand consequences of their suggestions and plans

Use response skills which include maintaining separate confidentiality strategies when working with users of violence, their partner and family members

Apply assessment skills to identify needs and related issues which impact on user of violence, partner and family members

Use problem solving skills for a broad range of unpredictable problems involving analysis, assessment, evaluation and the ability to adjust plans and acquire additional resources to assist users of violence, their partner, and/or family

Demonstrate skills in dealing with volatile and potentially volatile clients and group situations

continued ...

Essential skills (contd):

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:

Facilitate separate sessions with a high degree of risk management measures

Set up and facilitate a video conference

Seek professional supervision as appropriate

Apply ethical standards in cases of family violence

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.

Family and domestic violence refers to:

Violent, threatening, patterned and repeated use of coercive or controlling behaviour that occurs in current or past family, domestic or intimate relationships

This can include not only physical assaults but an array of power and control tactics used along a continuum in concert with one another, direct or indirect threats, sexual assault, emotional and psychological torment, economic control, property damage, social isolation and behaviour which causes a person to live in fear

The blame for abuse and violence is often wrongly attributed to the person who is subject to the violence leaving them feeling responsible

The use of abuse and violence is often wrongly and/or excused by external circumstances such as alcohol, unemployment

Specialist assistance may include:

Supervisors

Team leaders

Specialist domestic and family violence workers

Standard protocols that screen for family violence may include:

Documented questionnaires and procedures for gathering information in relation to risk

Scripts and preambles

Defined questions

Measures and rating scales of risk

Support person may include:

Friend or relative

Representative

Advocate

Legal representative

Community resources may include:

Domestic violence services

Lawyers

Counsellors

Community health

Mental health

Community welfare agencies

Child support

Centrelink

Child protection agencies

Children's contact services

Family relationship centres

Parent educators

Behaviour change groups such as alcohol and other drugs (AOD) support groups, users of violence groups

Assess suitability of dispute for resolution processes includes assessment of risk to vulnerable parties, which may involve:

Processes for evaluating the nature of specific risks to safety for individual clients using tools and structured clinical judgement

The content of risk may relate to:

exposure to further violence

mental health issues

children's and parenting issues

Risk may include but is not limited to:

Being physically hurt, intimidated, bullied, harassed or controlled

Threatened with physical harm, intimidation, bullying or harassment

Harm or threat of harm to children

Harm or threat of harm to pets and loved ones

Harm or threat of harm to property

Inability or reduced ability to effectively participate in significant events such as compulsory family dispute resolution

Inability or reduced ability to negotiate free and fair arrangements whether by reason of a history of domestic violence or otherwise

Having residential address known by a person who uses violence against you