Modification History
Not Applicable
Unit Descriptor
Descriptor |
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required for delivery of an ethical and legal counselling service and to ensure client rights are protected It addresses rights and responsibilities of client and counsellor as well as issues that may impact on the client-counsellor relationship |
Application of the Unit
Application |
This unit applies in relation to the specific legal and ethical context of the counselling work role, in which an ethical and legal framework is crucial to ensure that clear guidelines are available to counsellors and clients regarding their rights and responsibilities |
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not Applicable
Pre-Requisites
Not Applicable
Employability Skills Information
Employability Skills |
This unit contains Employability Skills |
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
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. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Address client and counsellor rights and responsibilities within counselling practice |
1.1 Identify, analyse and apply current industry standards of ethical and legal practice in counselling 1.2 Identify the responsibilities of a counsellor and apply to ensure delivery of legal and ethical counselling services 1.4 Formulate appropriate procedures to ensure rights are communicated to clients 1.4 Establish and communicate client rights in counselling practice and within the client-counsellor relationship in accordance with organisation procedures |
2. Analyse issues involved in counselling practice and client-counsellor relationships |
2.1 Identify and apply strategies to resolve situations of risk or potential risk 2.2 Analyse and apply strategies to resolve issues involved in working with individual difference 2.3 Analyse and apply strategies to resolve issues arising from 'high need' clients 2.4 Explore personal and professional issues that may impact on the counselling practice or the client-counsellor relationship 2.5 Formulate ways of minimising the impact of personal biases and value systems |
3. Demonstrate ethical practice in client-counsellor relationships |
3.1 Use work practices that apply the responsibilities of a counsellor, including the rights of minors 3.2 Where appropriate, ensure clients are informed of circumstances (legislative requirements) which may override confidentiality 3.3 Identify and apply strategies to minimise risk in client-counsellor relationships 3.4 Identify the potential for litigation associated with sexual relationships between client and counsellor 3.5 Formulate processes on national and state legislation regarding sexual behaviour towards clients as part of strategy to prevent risk 3.6 Identify and apply strategies to minimise the ethical dilemmas of dual relationships |
4. Formulate a plan for ongoing personal and professional development |
4.1 Identify the role and function of a professional practice supervisor 4.2 Identify areas for growth and plan ongoing personal and professional development and supervision 4.3 Reflect upon challenges that may impact on the counselling process, including own motivations for choosing a helping profession 4.4 Undertake self evaluation in relation to identified potential challenges for counsellors |
5. Formulate referral procedures |
5.1 Identify appropriate steps towards referral 5.2 Communicate referral issues to client 5.3 Formulate documentation for referrals containing information required by relevant agency 5.4 Clarify appropriate duration of therapeutic engagement to ensure counselling work continues to address client's interests |
Required Skills and Knowledge
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 underpinning 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:
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Essential skills : Ability to: It is essential that competence be demonstrated in application of ethical and legal responsibilities in counselling practice. The candidate must be able to:
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:
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Evidence Guide
EVIDENCE GUIDE |
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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. |
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Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this unit of competency : |
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Access and equity considerations : |
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Context of and specific resources for assessment : |
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Method of assessment : |
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Range Statement
RANGE STATEMENT |
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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. |
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Responsibilities of a counsellor must include : |
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Rights of minors must include : |
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Circumstances which may override confidentiality must include : |
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Unit Sector(s)
Not Applicable