Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit covers the competency required to provide pastoral care and counsel to members of an organisation.

Chaplains are required to be religious leaders immersed in the practices of their accredited faith group and to operate within a spiritual framework. This includes the provision of spiritual advice and support on a day-to-day basis to members of the organisation and their family members.

This competency is required by all Defence chaplains.

Application of the Unit 

The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.

Prerequisite Unit /s 

Nil

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the Required Skills and Knowledge and/or the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Encourage spiritual formation in the organisation 

1.1 Mental, emotional and spiritual well being of the organisation  community is monitored and documented

1.2 Frameworks for responding to crises are provided in accordance with organisational requirements 

1.3 Opportunities for the organisation community to deepen spiritual awareness are provided

1.4 Spiritual quests of the organisation community are attended to

2. Provide supportive networks 

2.1 Information on availability of chaplaincy and other pastoral services is provided to the organisation and organisation members

2.2 Pastoral care  and welfare programs are implemented in accordance with organisational requirements

2.3 Collaborative relationships with local clergy are established

2.4 Family members are supported in their home in accordance with organisational requirements

2.5 Liaison with support agencies is undertaken and maintained

3. Administer the pastoral care of the organisation 

3.1 The specific needs of organisation members are determined through consultation

3.2 An appropriate program is developed in liaison with the organisation members and coordinating authority

3.3 Pastoral care is provided for organisation members in accordance with organisational requirements

3.4 Pastoral support to organisational members in their work, home and leisure environments is provided in accordance with organisational requirements

3.5 Pastoral support is provided to family members in crisis in accordance with organisational requirements

3.6 Pastoral issues and trends are reported in accordance with organisational requirements

4. Counsel organisation members and their families 

4.1 Assessment of the organisation's members seeking counsel is conducted in accordance with organisational requirements

4.2 Relationship is established and maintained with community members

4.3 Pastoral counselling  is conducted in accordance with organisational requirements

4.4 Community members are referred to appropriate agencies  in accordance with organisational requirements

4.5 Post trauma pastoral care programs are implemented as required

5. Maintain records 

5.1 Pastoral care and counselling proceedings are documented in accordance with organisational policy

5.2 Records  are maintained in accordance with organisational requirements

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills 

• meet denominational or multi-faith requirements
• communication skills including the capacity to:
• read and interpret spoken and written texts which include abstract ideas and symbolism
• present abstract and symbolic ideas to groups and individuals
• take part in and facilitate interpersonal exchanges with groups and individuals, selecting language style suitable to audience and context for the purpose of establishing, maintaining and developing relationships, exploring issues and or problem solving
• actively listen, summarise and clarify ideas
• provide positive and empathetic feedback
• use a variety of verbal and non-verbal communication techniques including body language, language style and gesture
• follow instructions and report information
• organisational
• planning
• counselling
• facilitate small group discussion
• liaison
• analytical and evaluation
• retain professionalism under duress
• encourage members of faith group

Required Knowledge 

• world religions together with associated religious beliefs and practices
• denominational doctrines, worship and practices
• principles of chaplaincy care
• relevant organisational processes and protocols
• relevant records maintenance requirements
• relevant support agencies
• code of behaviour
• organisation guidelines and standards for privacy, confidentiality, defamation, duty of care
• professional codes of practice
• ethical standards
• verbal and non-verbal communication techniques including body language, language style, active listening, questioning
• composition of faith group

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Assessment must confirm the ability to meet denominational or multi-faith requirements and to facilitate the spiritual formation of the organisation

It is essential that competency in this unit is demonstrated through the provision of pastoral care in a caring, non-intrusive and non-judgemental manner

Consistency in performance 

Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual and/or simulated pastoral care contexts to ensure competency is demonstrated in a full range of pastoral care, support and counselling activities

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated work environment.

When assessing this unit consideration should be given to limitations placed on the provision of pastoral care due to specific organisational policies.

Specific resources for assessment 

There are no special resource requirements for this unit

Guidance information for assessment 

Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised  wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Organisations may include 

Australian Defence Force

Police forces

Fire services

Emergency services

Organisational requirements may include 

Legislation

Policies

Procedures

Practices

Standards

Conventions

Denominational or multi-faith requirements

Goals, objectives, plans, systems and processes

Access, equity and diversity principles and practices

Quality and continuous improvement processes and standards

Ethical standards

Performance plans

Defined resource parameters

Pastoral care may include 

Maintenance of the spiritual well being of the individual

Conduct of religious observances and activities

Provision of support services

Provision of pastoral advice

Pastoral counselling

Management of a chapel

Pastoral counselling may include such matters as 

Relationship

Family/domestic situations

Professional

Career

Denominational

Ecumenical

Vocational

Multi-faith

Secular contexts

Appropriate agencies may include 

Welfare agencies

Legal agencies

Financial agencies

Government departments

Records to be maintained may include 

Ecclesiastical records required by legislation or faith group

Specific records that are required by the organisation

Co-requisite Unit /s 

Nil