Unit of competency details

CHC08 Version 3 

CHC08 Version 4 

Description 

CHCYTH402B Work effectively with young people in the youth work context

CHCYTH402C Work effectively with young people in the youth work context

Unit updated in V4.

ISC upgrade changes to remove references to old OHS legislation and replace with references to new WHS legislation. No change to competency outcome.

Descriptor 

This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to work in the youth work context

The unit focuses on the historical and contemporary youth sector practice and understanding of the current status of young people

Application 

This unit applies to work undertaken in all youth work roles where the young person is the primary client

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. Apply understanding of the social, historical, economic, legal and political contexts of young people

1.1 Assess and respond to the needs of young people within the context of their experiences

1.2 Research, analyse and maintain up to date knowledge and awareness of the social, political , economic and legal contexts of young people

1.3 Research, analyse and apply understanding of youth policy in practices of youth work

1.4 Apply understanding of the historical and cultural constructs of youth and the changing context of young people

2. Apply understanding of the context of youth work

2.1 Apply knowledge of youth contexts to youth work practice

2.2 Identify legal frameworks which impact on context of youth work

2.3 Research, maintain and apply models and frameworks of youth work in a variety of youth work contexts

2.4 Develop a comprehensive understanding of the youth sector

3. Work within the core values and practice frameworks of youth work

3.1 Assess core youth work practice values to ensure supports and interventions are young person-centred

3.2 Apply practice frameworks to maximise support for the young person as a unique individual

3.3 Demonstrate support for the young person's rights and safety including access and equity of services

4. Work with understanding of the impact of values in determining the approach to working with young people

4.1 Identify, and reflect on own values and experiences which may impact on approaches to youth work

4.2 Work with awareness of organisation values

4.3 Match interventions and supports appropriate to the young persons own values

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:

• Cultural practices which will have an impact on decisions made about what allowances are made and what rights are given and responsibilities expected
• Current status of young people in context:

• social and cultural context of youth
• historical, economic, political and social contexts of young people
• rights, needs and responsibilities of young people
• risk taking and social behaviour in young people
• young people as primary client
• changing contexts of young people

• Processes for getting advice and assistance when there are ethical or professional issues
• Relevance of the work role and functions to maintaining sustainability of the workplace, including environmental, economic, workforce and social sustainability
• The impact of popular beliefs on values, attitudes and behaviour
• The organisation's codes of conduct or code of ethics/duty of care
• The range of specialist support services and programs available to young people
• The social, political, historical and economic context of the service response to the needs and interests of young people

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

• Check and analyse information for assessment of risks, special needs, significant changes and personal and social developmental levels for young people
• Make decisions based on knowledge of the impact of cultural and personal values on behaviour and expectations
• Provide effective support and/or services for young people in at least one youth work context, such as:

• centre based work
• drop in centres, recreational facilities
• housing and residential services
• outreach and home visits, street, parks
• schools
• on line youth work, web based, emails, discussion rooms
• telephone contact

• Provide supervision and care based on assessed risk and justifiable degree of care and concern
• Respond to risks and incidents of varying degrees of severity
• Use clear and reassuring communication relevant to the culture of young people

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:

• Demonstrate application of skills in:

• assessment
• referral
• negotiation
• effective use of relevant information technology in line with work health and safety (WHS) guidelines
• critical thinking
• political analysis
• reflective practice

• Recognise and act upon opportunities to enhance sustainability in the workplace

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 is best assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace under the normal range of conditions
• Consistency in performance should consider the organisation and individual context within which work takes place

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
• Resource requirements for assessment of this unit include access to:

• a workplace or an accurately simulated environment where assessment may take place

Method of assessment:

• Knowledge testing and simulation exercises conducted in a training program
• Observation of performance in routine workplace activities
• Documentation and products produced as part of routine work activities
• Observation and documentation from specially conducted assignments based on routine work requirements
• Observations from supervisors, colleagues, clients, youth, health and welfare support agencies, specialist staff

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.

Contexts of young people

• Historical, economic, political and social contexts of young people
• Rights needs and responsibilities of young people
• Social and cultural construct of youth
• Socioeconomic status of young people
• Stereotyping of young people
• Young people as the primary client
• Young people in the media

Research, analyse and apply understanding of youth policyincludes:

• A basic understanding of formal ideologies
• Changing contexts of young people
• Changing social policy contexts impacting on young people and their environment today and in the future
• Current issues in youth policy and young people's experiences of all social policy e.g. health
• Economic context - disadvantage, poverty, income, employment, government economic policy, distribution of resources and opportunities
• Historical and social contexts of youth work
  e.g. changing attitudes to young people, changing approaches to working with young people, social exclusion
• Political context - youth social policy
• Statutory frameworks of youth work

Youth work practice may include:

• Case management
• Classification and review
• Community development
• Community work
• Group work
• Individual work
• Need and risk assessment
• Programmed intervention
• Protective care
• Reporting and referring systems
• Residential care, such as in a family group home

The context of youth work may include:

• Centre based - appointment based
• Drop in centres, recreational facilities
• Housing and residential services
• On line youth work, web based, emails, discussion rooms
• Outreach and home visits, street, parks
• Schools
• Telephone

Models and frameworks of youth work may include:

• Basic understanding of the theories of youth development and youth work
• Client self determination
• Client-centred approaches
• Community Development
• Education
• Empowerment
• Rights based

Youth sector includes:

• Funding bodies
• Government services
• Non government services
• Relevant levels of accountability
• Young people
• Youth sector peaks
• Youth workers

Youth work practice valuesmay include:

• Be non-judgemental
• Consider the whole context
• Engage with diversity and difference
• Focus on strengths and capacities
• Integrity, acceptance, equity and equality
• Notice change and achievement
• Recognise the person first not just their issues
• Self agency/ young person directed practice
• Social justice, fairness, honesty and respect
• The values of:

• youth workers
• young people and their peers
• key stakeholders in young people's lives
• workplaces
• colleagues
• other workers and services
• community
• others

• Transparency and transparent boundaries
• Valuing the person
• Work collaboratively
• Work towards 'power with' not 'power over'
• Work with young people in partnership

Young person's rights include:

• Young people's rights as documented in the UN convention on the rights of the child