Unit of competency details

Descriptor 

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop and implement a multi agency investigation and assessment strategy in response to an allegation of child abuse and neglect

Application 

This unit applies to a range of child protection work contexts where assessment of children at risk is a critical part of the job role

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. Identify appropriate strategies for investigation and assessment

1.1 Identify key agencies and personnel  to be involved in investigation and assessment

1.2 Consult with each agency and individual practitioners to define roles and responsibilities 

1.3 Collect and share relevant agency information 

1.4 Assess and clarify range of issues to be addressed  that relate to meeting individual child's identified needs

1.5 Identify and respond appropriately to specific client characteristics including cultural , family and community issues 

1.6 Liaise and consult with other agencies  and personnel within organisation and interagency frameworks 

1.7 Identify and assess potential risks  to child, family and others

1.8 Assess and evaluate a range of intervention options  according to the needs of the child and situation

2. Select and implement the strategy

2.1 Evaluate the choice of strategy  against key principles of child protection work 

2.2 Implement the strategy that best meets the needs of the child and secures the safety and well being of the child

2.3 Plan and support the implementation of practical arrangements 

2.4 Facilitate and support appropriate referrals  as required

2.5 Record actions for strategy implementation according to organisation and interagency framework

3. Monitor and review the strategy

3.1 Define negotiable and non negotiable aspects of the response strategy and implement processes to ensure these are maintained and monitored

3.2 Revise strategy in response to new information and changing circumstances

3.3 Manage and communicate between agencies in relation to monitoring and review of strategy during and following action

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:

• Roles, responsibilities and functions of key agencies and personnel participating in interagency and collaborative case work
• A range of potential issues that may present and require action in investigation and risk assessment strategies
• Family, cultural and community considerations relevant to investigation and child risk assessment strategies
• Organisation and interagency collaborative frameworks
• Range of options for intervention
• Key principles of child protection work
• Strategic planning processes required to facilitate child protection work
• Organisation policies and procedures
• Legislation and regulations of child protection work relevant to the investigation and assessment of children at risk
• Strategies for effective communication with a diverse range of people

Essential skills :

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

• Work collaboratively with other key agencies to develop, implement and review an investigations and assessment strategy
• Identify key consideration when developing an investigation and assessment strategy

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:

• Apply high level interpersonal and communication skills including questioning, active listening, verbal and non-verbal communication to gain information for purpose of risk assessment
• Identify and facilitate appropriate referral actions
• Participate and conduct interagency meetings
• Undertake effective negotiation and conflict management
• Liaise and network with a range of key agencies and personnel
• Recognise and enforce own and agency limitations and boundaries
• Collect and share critical information for the purpose of collaborative actions across agencies and cases
• Analytically assess issues, options, needs and consider in relation to each individual child's circumstance
• Use effective consultation processes when working with other agencies and personnel
• Participate in collaborative risk assessment processes
• Implement an agreed strategy
• Monitor and review an agreed strategy
• Participate collaboratively in interagency meetings

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
• This unit of competence must be assessed in the workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions
• Consistency in performance should consider the complexity of the environment in which workers are expected to participate

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
• Resources required for assessment include access to relevant workplace or simulated realistic workplace setting where assessment may take place

Method of assessment :

• Assessment may include observation, questioning and evidence gathered from a workplace environment

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.

Agencies and personnel may include :

• Children and families
• Child protection authorities
• Police
• Women's and Children's services
• Community and government health services providing a range of services
• Housing agencies
• Education authorities
• Mental Health Services
• Drug and Alcohol Services
• Early Childhood and/or Youth Services

Roles and responsibilities of key agencies and other personnel may include :

• Child protection assessment
• Criminal investigation
• Psychological and/or family assessments
• Medical/health assessments
• Issue of police warrants
• Speaking with the child and/or family
• Supporting the child and/or family
• Liaison and referral with other appropriate agencies to support the child and family

Relevant agency information may include :

• History of contact with the child and their family
• Criminal records/history
• Previous notifications
• Restraining orders, e.g family or domestic violence
• Child school records
• Medical records
• Past, current and pending court proceedings e.g. Family Court involvement
• Services previously involved with the family
• Information held by each agency relevant to the needs of the child and their family

Range of issues to be addressed may include :

• Safety, well being and best interests of the child are paramount considerations
• Needs of individual children and the need to involve other individuals and agencies in the strategy discussion to assist in meeting those needs
• Identify suitability of agency to interview
• Preservation and gathering of evidence
• Engaging the caregivers
• Managing and defusing dangerous or potentially dangerous situations
• Managing potential disclosures
• Managing the range of responses and the practical implications for each response, e.g. considering the issues which arise in the process of removing a child from the family
• Referral for medical assessment
• Proceedings under the Family Law Act
• Individual worker safety

Cultural , family and community issues may include :

• Ethnicity
• Race
• Language
• Traditions
• Values
• Beliefs
• Religion
• Spirituality
• Customs
• Family structures and relationship networks
• Family and domestic violence
• Age
• Ability
• Mental health

Organisation and interagency frameworks may include :

• Interagency codes of practice,
• Interagency protocols and guidelines
• Memorandums of understandings
• Documented expectations and agreements
• Organisation policies and procedures

Potential risks may include :

• Risk of further harm to the child
• Risk of systems abuse
• Violence and aggression
• Escalation of violence, e.g. siege situation
• Substance abuse
• Mental illness
• Disguised compliance
• Families agency dependency
• Closure of families

Range of intervention options may include :

• Criminal investigation processes - reports, arrest, bail conditions
• Court orders related to domestic and family violence
• Options and orders specified under the relevant child protection legislation in States/Territories
• Family Court interventions under the Family Law act

Strategy may include but is not limited to :

• Joint investigation
• Visits by agencies conducted jointly or separately
• Home visits
• School visits
• Visits to other venue appropriate to the needs of the child
• Negotiating role of the Child Protection Agency in the investigation and assessment

Key principles of child protection work :

• Is defined by each State and Territory within the provision of the relevant Child Protection Legislation

Practical arrangements may include :

• Coordinating resources for investigation
• Coordinating transport and accommodation for the child and protective care givers for the investigations and assessment process
• Developing and coordinating a safety plan
• Coordinating arrangements for the placement or potential placement of a child in alternative care
• Practical arrangements may be informed by the principles of the Interagency framework, guidelines, policies and procedures of the organisation

Appropriate referrals may include :

• Referral to child protection services
• Health and community support agencies
• Psychological and counselling services
• Medical assessment service
• Parenting assessment services