This unit may be applied in a range of pastoral care work contexts

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Identify the issue

1.1 Seek information to determine the range of issues that may be affecting the client within organisation policies and procedures regarding privacy and confidentiality

1.2 Assess well being and needs of the client

1.3 Analyse circumstances and clarify and clearly define the issue/s

1.4 Provide information on the availability of pastoral care services

1.5 Determine manner of pastoral care to be provided, develop an appropriate program and discuss with client

2. Provide pastoral care

2.1 Use communication skills to assist the client to identify areas of concern

2.2 Define boundaries and use communication skills that will establish a trusting and respectful relationship

2.3 Provide opportunity for client to disclose personal impressions and experiences

2.4 Determine own capacity to meet client needs and refer to appropriate personnel or agencies if appropriate

2.5 Provide pastoral care within an agreed timeframe, confidentiality requirements, and in accordance with ethical and moral guidelines

2.6 Support significant others including family members where relevant and appropriate

2.7 Organise the involvement of community based religious and spiritual care providers where appropriate

2.8 Assist other practitioners/team members to understand the role of pastoral care workers

3. Review pastoral care

3.1 Evaluate provision of pastoral care with the client

3.2 Review previous support

3.3 Evaluate need for ongoing and/or additional support and discuss with supervisor

3.4 Negotiate changes to pastoral care plan with the client

3.5 Reflect on own performance and seek to improve practice

4. Maintain records

4.1 Document pastoral care in accordance with organisation policies and procedures

4.2 Maintain records in accordance with organisations policies and procedures

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:

Understanding of own work role and responsibilities

Pastoral care traditions and practices

Awareness of cultural perspectives on spirituality and major denominational doctrines, worship and practices

Specialised information sources

Research techniques

Analysis and interpretation

Professional codes of practice and behaviour

Ethical standards and codes of conduct in relation to pastoral care workers e.g. Australian Health and Welfare Chaplains Association's Health care chaplaincy standards

Verbal and non-verbal communication techniques including body language, language styles, active listening and questioning

Relevant policies, protocols and practices of the organisation in relation to Unit Descriptor and work role

Referral mechanisms

Principles and practices of confidentiality and privacy

Principles and practices for establishing and maintaining appropriate interpersonal relationships

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:

Follow organisation policies and protocols

Promote the pastoral care needs of clients

Ensure adequate pastoral support for clients

Liaise and report appropriately

Adhere to own work role and responsibilities

Adopt non-judgemental and accepting attitudes when establishing and maintaining relationships

Take part in and facilitate interpersonal exchanges with groups and individuals, selecting language styles suitable to audience and context for the purpose of establishing, maintaining and development relationships, exploring issues and/or problem solving

Provide positive and empathetic feedback

Actively listen, summarise and clarify ideas

Meet denominational or multi-faith requirements

Demonstrate sensitivity towards cultural differences and personal beliefs without imposing own beliefs

Provide information on ethical, religious and pastoral matters

Coordinate the involvement of community based religious and spiritual care providers

Apply reading and writing skills required to fulfil work role in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation/service

this requires a level of skill that enables the worker to follow work-related instructions and directions and the ability to seek clarification and comments from supervisors, clients and colleagues

industry work roles will require workers to possess a literacy level that will enable them to interpret international safety signs, read client's service delivery plans, make notations in clients records and complete workplace forms and records

Apply oral communication skills required to fulfil work role in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation

Apply numeracy skills required to fulfil work role in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation

Apply basic problem solving skills to resolve problems of limited difficulty within organisation protocols

Work effectively with clients, colleagues and supervisors

Demonstrate safe and effective use of workplace technology in line with occupational health and safety (OHS) guidelines

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

It is recommended that assessment or information for assessment will be conducted or gathered over a period of time and cover the normal range of workplace situations and settings

This unit will be most appropriately assessed in the workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions

Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible

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:

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

relevant organisation policy, protocols and procedures

equipment and resources normally used in the workplace

Method of assessment may include:

Observation in the workplace

Written assignments/projects

Case study and scenario analysis

Questioning

Role play simulation

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.

Pastoral care may include:

Support or advice in relation to personal, vocational, religious, spiritual, morale, moral, ethical or physical circumstances

Spiritual support or advice

Formal or informal support

Marriage and relationship counselling

Communication skills include:

A variety of non-aggressive interrogative techniques and questioning styles

Ethical and moral guidelines may include:

Professional codes of practice

Ethical standards

Denominational or multi-faith guidelines

Appropriate personnel or agencies may include:

Other community services or health agencies

Other denominations or religious groups

Careers advisers

Life coaches

Community based religious and spiritual care providers may include:

Faith based groups

Faith based care organisations and charities

Faith based welfare groups

Faith based NGO's

Local churches

Christian care organisations and charities

Role of pastoral care workers includes:

Human resources management

Pastoral care of co-workers

Pastoral care of clients

Appropriate communication and relationship building processes may include:

Courtesy

Empathy

Non-judgemental care

Observing and listening

Respect of individual differences

Organisation policies and procedures may include:

Professional practice guidelines

Confidentiality

OHS policy and procedures

This unit contains Employability Skills