Unit of competency details

Descriptor 

This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to communicate with and provide information to others in the area of sexual and reproductive health in one to one or small group environments

Application 

This unit is intended for application in a range of community service work and client education contexts

Employability Skills 

This unit contains Employability Skills

Elements define the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

The Performance Criteria specify the level of performance required to demonstrate achievement of the Element. Terms in italics are elaborated in the Range Statement.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Maximise personal effectiveness

1.1 Participate in personal and professional development activities to ensure own attitudes and values  are identified

1.2 Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of own values and attitudes on client service delivery

1.3 Participate in appropriate skills development activities

1.4 Develop and implement strategies which enable delivery of a service to clients that ensures attitudes and values are not imposed on clients

1.5 Demonstrate acceptance of human rights and responsibilities in line with own work role

2. Employ appropriate techniques with clients

2.1 Ensure all interactions with clients demonstrate respect and dignity for their rights

2.2 Employ a range of non-verbal and verbal techniques to ensure own attitudes and values are not communicated to or imposed on clients and clients feel their attitudes and values are respected

2.3 Provide referrals in situations where own personal and professional abilities do not match client needs

2.4 Apply an appropriate model of sexuality development in assessing clients needs

2.5 Provide information  about relevant legal issues in appropriate situations

2.6 Operate in accordance with legal obligations to ensure compliance with duty of care obligations

2.7 Develop and implement strategies which facilitate clients to express their own attitudes and values

3. Provide information about sexual and reproductive health

3.1 Undertake planning to ensure client needs will be met by the information to be provided

3.2 Provide sexuality information in a non-judgemental way

3.3 Ensure clients are provided with appropriate information which is age and culturally appropriate

3.4 Routinely evaluate  the effectiveness of the information offered and review approach and activities accordingly

3.5 Provide appropriate and relevant resources and materials to maximise effectiveness of information and ensure clients are provided with accurate information to enable them to maintain their sexual health

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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:

• Own personal and social values and attitudes and their potential impact on information provision
• A positive self-esteem and self concept
• Knowledge of community resources and organisations
• Basic knowledge and understanding of sexuality development across the lifespan, including:

• anatomy and physiology of human sexuality
• sexual function and dysfunction
• pregnancy, birth and contraception
• reproductive and sub-fertility issues
• STIs, HIV and safer sex issues
• sexuality events in the life cycle

Essential skills :

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

• Provide appropriate information about sexual and reproductive health in a non-judgemental manner
• Communicate about sexuality effectively and comfortably

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:

• Create a positive learning environment and practise basic skills in group facilitation
• Prepare and provide appropriate information about sexual and reproductive health to address needs of individual and groups of clients
• Work with cultural diversity
• Work with parents and young people
• Apply language, literacy and numeracy competence appropriate to the work role

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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
• Competency must be demonstrated in a real work environment
• Competence in this unit must be assessed over a period of time in order to ensure consistency of performance across contexts applicable to the work environment
• Consistency in performance should consider the work environment, worker's role and responsibilities in the workplace

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
• Assessment of this competency will require human resources consistent with those outlined in the Assessment Guidelines

Method of 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 locations', any evidence should be authenticated by colleagues, supervisors, clients or other appropriate persons

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. 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.

Impact of attitudes and values may be via :

• Body language
• Verbal
• Choice of contact
• Choice of activities
• Structure of group dynamics

Attitudes and values include in relation to :

• Sexual orientation
• Sexuality and ageing
• Sexuality and disability
• Sexual harassment

Evaluate refers to :

• Client survey instruments
• Seeking verbal feedback and affirmation from clients
• Follow up interviews with clients, their family and carers

Information may be provided as part of education programs relating to , for example :

• HIV
• Hepatitis
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Safe sex practices
• Human reproduction
• Pregnancy
• Contraception
• Sexual health
• Relationships and intimacy