Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required by individuals teaching programs to children to ensure a safe physical environment and covers the supervision and monitoring of children in the program. It also addresses the application of organisational procedures, ethics and regulatory requirements relevant to working with children.
It applies to individuals instructing children in performing arts environments including, but not limited to, dance, theatre, circus, film and television. It also applies to people responsible for teaching movement skills for recreational or remedial purposes.
At this level, instructors may be working independently with children or in a group situation with other teachers or instructors. They are required to use some discretion and judgement and take responsibility for ensuring a safe environment and the supervision of children within their program/s.
Typical age groups for children are 0 to 4 years, 5 to 10 years, 11 to 14 years and 15 to 18 years.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Apply procedures, industry guidelines and regulations, relating to working with children | 1.1 Identify and source information about regulations, industry guidelines and code of ethics relevant to working with children 1.2 Follow organisational policies and procedures, regulations and industry guidelines about providing a safe environment for children 1.3 Employ ethical practices and observe professional boundaries when working with children 1.4 Identify and seek supervisor, or other professional support, for concerns about ethical or safety issues involving children |
2. Undertake safety checks and assess potential risks relating to the physical environment | 2.1 Ensure space allocated to activity is appropriate for group size, age of children and context of activity 2.2 Check floor and surface areas for hazards and potential risks 2.3 Check equipment and props are in safe working condition 2.4 Use, store and label equipment, costumes and products for program sessions appropriately 2.5 Complete organisational documentation relevant to safety checks and potential risks |
3. Supervise and monitor children in program | 3.1 Check that children are collected or released according to organisational procedures for the safe drop off and collection of children and any specific arrangements 3.2 Assist in the supervision of people who enter the venue where children are present and while children's activities are taking place 3.3 Monitor change facilities and personnel ensuring levels of privacy appropriate for age group 3.4 Check that children are correctly wearing appropriate training outfits, footwear or costumes relating to the activity 3.5 Liaise professionally and courteously with parents and carers when supervising children and providing information |
Foundation Skills
Skill | Description |
Reading | Extracts, interprets and organises information from a range of written sources |
Writing | Completes documentation related to safety checks and supervision arrangements |
Oral communication | Obtains information by listening and questioning Provides clear instructions and/or information using words appropriate for the audience Discusses issues using language and non-verbal features appropriate to the audience |
Numeracy | Estimates quantities of equipment required in program Estimates area required for group size |
Navigate the world of work | Identifies and follows regulations, organisational procedures, ethical and industry guidelines associated with own role Takes responsibility for supervising and monitoring children appropriate to own role |
Interact with others | Works collaboratively with colleagues in the supervision of children Selects and uses appropriate practices and protocols to communicate with a range of people Adapts personal communication style to show respect for others |
Get the work done | Plans and implements safety checks according to instructions Follows directions to monitor activities related to the safety and welfare of children Follows organisational requirements to make decisions about appropriate actions Identifies and responds to problems requiring immediate attention |
Sectors
Regulation, licensing and risk - work health and safety