- PSPPOL402A - Assist with specialist policy development
Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners
PSPPOL402A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Assist with specialist policy development
Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024
| Qualification | - |
Unit of Competency | PSPPOL402A - Assist with specialist policy development |
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| Description | This unit covers assistance in the planning, research and writing of policy, typically provided by a policy research officer. It includes assisting with policy development planning, researching, contributing to the developments of policy options, and assisting with drafting and dissemination of policy.Contribution to the development of policy expected of all public sector staff is covered in PSPPOL401A Contribute to policy development, rather than this specialist unit.In practice, assisting with specialist policy development may overlap with other generalist or specialist work activities such as applying government processes, providing client services, gathering and analysing information, providing input to change.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication | ||
| Employability Skills | This unit contains employability skills. | ||
| Learning Outcomes and Application | Not applicable. | ||
| Duration and Setting | X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting. |
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| Prerequisites/co-requisites | Not applicable. | ||
| Competency Field | Policy. | ||
| Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners | Student Learning Resources | Handouts Activities |
Slides PPT |
Assessment 1 | Assessment 2 | Assessment 3 | Assessment 4 | |
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| Elements of Competency | Performance Criteria | |||||||
| Element: Assist with policy development planning |
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| Element: Research information for policy development |
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| Element: Contribute to the development of policy options |
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| Element: Assist in drafting policy |
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| Element: Assist with policy dissemination |
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Evidence Required
List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.
The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole. It must be read in conjunction with the Unit descriptor, Performance Criteria, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package. | |
Units to be assessed together | Pre-requisite units that must be achieved prior to this unit:Nil Co-requisite units that must be assessed with this unit:Nil Co-assessed units that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include, but are not limited to: PSPGOV402B Deliver and monitor service to clients PSPGOV405B Provide input to change processes PSPGOV406B Gather and analyse information PSPGOV408A Value diversity PSPGOV422A Apply government processes |
Overview of evidence requirements | In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms: the knowledge requirements of this unit the skill requirements of this unit application of the Employability Skills as they relate to this unit (see Employability Summaries in Qualifications Framework) assistance with specialist policy development in a range of (2 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time) |
Resources required to carry out assessment | These resources include: public sector policy and legislation public sector standards, procedures and protocols policy development guidelines guidelines for public sector research |
Where and how to assess evidence | Valid assessment of this unit requires: a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when assisting with the development of policy, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine assistance with specialist policy development in a range of (2 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time) Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of particular groups, such as: people with disabilities people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people women young people older people people in rural and remote locations Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this competency may include, but are not limited to, a combination of 2 or more of: case studies portfolios projects questioning scenarios authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses |
For consistency of assessment | Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments |
Submission Requirements
List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here
Assessment task 1: [title] Due date:
(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)
Assessment Tasks
Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.
This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit. |
Skill requirements Look for evidence that confirms skills in: reading and evaluating complex and formal documents such as policy and legislation researching, analysing and presenting information preparing written reports requiring precision of expression and language and structures suited to the intended audience working with others to consult on and validate policy adjusting communication to suit different audiences responding to diversity, including gender and disability reconciling different points of view and conflicting information accessing policies and legislation electronically or in hard copy identifying and addressing the environmental, sustainability and occupational health and safety implications of policy/s being developed |
Knowledge requirements Look for evidence that confirms knowledge and understanding of: policy development processes and practices in the public sector the policy cycle current policies underpinning the work area policy research methods and protocols organisation and government procedures and protocols public sector code/s of ethics and code/s of conduct principles of community engagement in policy development equal employment opportunity, equity and diversity principles environmental, sustainability and occupational health and safety implications of policy/s being developed |
The Range Statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The Range Statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in bold italics in the Performance Criteria is explained here. | |
Stakeholders may include: | all those individuals and groups both inside and outside the organisation that have some direct interest in the organisation's conduct, actions, products and services, including: employees at all levels of the organisation other public sector organisations private sector organisations non-government organisations other jurisdictions union and association representatives boards of management government Ministers clients the public special interest groups |
Policy may include: | public policy public sector policy central agency policy whole of government policies international policy organisational policy relating to a range of functions, such as: human resources administration financial management work practices training information technology technical/professional requirements environmental and sustainability practices |
Key aspects of the policy development plan may include: | context rationale issues to be addressed expected outcomes timeframe research methods resource requirements for development key stakeholders communication strategy feedback mechanisms for review milestones precedents risk analysis possible complications success measures possible resource implications for implementation |
Sources of information may include: | stakeholder consultation and submissions focus groups developments in other public sector or private sector organisations similar policies and practices that may be benchmarked current and closed files surveys literature reviews Internet |
Evaluation of information sources may be in terms of: | sufficiency authenticity appropriateness currency |
Criteria for choosing preferred policy option may include: | likely effectiveness implementation timeframe and costs (including infrastructure) interaction with other policies (existing or being developed) consistency with broader government agendas |
Organisational requirements for style, format and contents may require policies to be: | forward-looking outward-looking principles-based innovative, creative, flexible evidence-based inclusive consistent self-contained, with adequate coverage of the subject matter accessible to the intended audience/understandable to all users in gender-neutral non-discriminatory language |
Outcomes of the policy development process may include: | nature of the policy change match with stakeholder expectations implementation requirements expected costs timelines contextual factors (including any impact on other related policies) |
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.
Observation Checklist
| Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice | Yes | No | Comments/feedback |
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| Research is conducted into the wider internal and external environment to identify related policies for context and identify other policies likely to be impacted. | |||
| Internal and external stakeholders are identified and prioritised and their contact details are checked to ensure that key individuals and groups are engaged as early as possible and throughout the policy development process. | |||
| Key aspects to be included in the policy development plan are identified and research assistance is provided to determine the content of each in accordance with organisational requirements. | |||
| Sources of information are identified and evaluated. | |||
| Information required to support the policy development process is gathered and collated in accordance with organisational requirements. | |||
| Gaps, ambiguity and conflicting views in the information are identified, recorded and referred to the principal policy developer, or additional research is conducted to clarify them. | |||
| Possible policy options are formulated and analysed under guidance, to identify their strengths and weaknesses. | |||
| Possible criteria for choosing preferred policy option are researched and prioritised in terms of their applicability to the task. | |||
| Initial drafts or selected sections of the policy are written in accordance with organisational requirements. | |||
| Written and oral feedback from stakeholders is captured and included in re-drafting as required. | |||
| The progress of policy development against the timeframe and milestones is monitored and reminders are provided to keep the process on track in accordance with the policy development plan. | |||
| Policy writing is undertaken in accordance with organisational requirements for style, format and contents. | |||
| Recipients for approved policy documents, particularly those who will be responsible for implementing the new or revised policy, are identified and information is provided on the outcomes in accordance with organisational requirements. | |||
| Routine enquiries on the release and content of the policy are dealt with or referred in accordance with organisational procedures. |
Forms
Assessment Cover Sheet
PSPPOL402A - Assist with specialist policy development
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Assessment Record Sheet
PSPPOL402A - Assist with specialist policy development
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Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent
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Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent
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