Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to identify and respond to the needs of clients who may be experiencing domestic and family violence, including responding to immediate intervention and support needs.

This unit applies to health and community service workers providing services according to established organisation procedures. These workers may not be specialised family violence workers.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand Standards and industry codes of practice.

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Unit Mapping Information

No equivalent unit

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=5e0c25cc-3d9d-4b43-80d3-bd22cc4f1e53

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:

• identified and responded to the needs of at least 3 clients affected by domestic and family violence, according to legal and ethical requirements
• used the following interpersonal skills with clients:

• questioning
• active listening
• rapport building.

Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

• legal and ethical considerations (national and state/territory) for workers interacting with clients affected by domestic and family violence , and how these are applied in organisations and individual practice:

• children in the workplace
• codes of conduct
• discrimination
• duty of care
• human rights
• mandatory reporting
• privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
• records management
• rights and responsibilities of:

• workers and employers
• individuals, families, the community and society to minimise or prevent domestic violence

• work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations
• work health and safety

• domestic violence and its context, including:

• social, historical, political and economic context of domestic violence, including types and nature of domestic violence, power and gender issues, child abuse and associated criminal issues
• prevalence of myths, unhelpful beliefs, attitudes and practices in the broader society regarding domestic violence and their effects on individuals’ rights to safety and autonomy

• underpinning values and philosophies in responding to domestic and family violence, including:

• safety and well-being of those subjected to domestic violence must be the first priority of any response
• all individuals have the right to be free from violence
• community has a responsibility to work toward the prevention of domestic violence and to demonstrate the unacceptability of all forms of domestic violence
• all forms of domestic violence are unacceptable in any group, culture or creed
• those who use violence should take responsibility for their behaviour and have access to programs to assist them change their behaviour to ensure the safety of their family
• commitment to meeting the needs and upholding the rights of clients
• commitment to empowering those affected by domestic violence
• domestic violence is widespread and complex
• domestic violence impacts on the physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being and safety of individuals in families
• domestic violence and abuse has devastating effects on family members and results in significant social and economic costs to the community

• the differences between responding to clients in a crisis situation and those requiring long term support
• immediate needs for assessment, including:

• safety and physical and emotional security
• safety plans
• legal or medical information and support
• accommodation/transportation
• safety and welfare of any children whether with client or not

• organisation procedures, practices and standards for:

• client assessment
• allocation of services
• case management
• interviewing
• use of resources
• programmed intervention
• referral

• groups represented within the local community (cultural, religious, language, sexual identity, age and disability) and an understanding of the issues that arise when working with those groups
• referral sources and associated protocols
• own values and attitudes and their potential impact on clients.

Assessment Conditions

Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions. The following conditions must be met for this unit:

• use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:

• client information
• organisation policies and procedures

• modelling of industry operating conditions, including:

• scenarios that involve interactions with other people.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=5e0c25cc-3d9d-4b43-80d3-bd22cc4f1e53