Performance Evidence

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in the 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:

1. provided pastoral and spiritual support to 3 clients or community groups
2. documented a log of 20 hours of reflection and review of own performance, values, and beliefs
3. prepared a Pastoral Care Verbatim Report in collaboration with supervising chaplain or pastoral and spiritual care worker
4. performed the activities outlined in the performance criteria of this unit during a period of 100 hours of work in at least 1 organization or community setting

Knowledge Evidence

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

• legal and ethical considerations (international, national, state/territory, local) when working with people with mental health issues, and how these are applied in organisations and individual practice:
  • children in the workplace
  • codes of practice
  • discrimination
  • dignity of risk
  • duty of care
  • human rights
  • informed consent
  • mandatory reporting
  • privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
  • policy frameworks
  • records management
  • rights and responsibilities of workers, employers and individuals
  • specific mental health legislation – impact on individual workers and consequences of breaches
  • work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations
  • work health and safety
• values and principles of the mental health sector, including:
  • recovery
  • recovery oriented practice
  • health promotion and prevention
  • holistic approach
  • empowerment/disempowerment
  • access and equity
  • early intervention
  • rights
  • social justice and inclusion
  • citizenship
• different contexts of mental health work, including:
  • historical context, changing attitudes to mental health and approaches to working with people with mental health issues
  • social context. changing societal views of mental health and approaches to working with people
  • political context, government policies and initiatives affecting the mental health sector
  • economic context, the current economic situation as it relates to and affects the mental health sector and the subsequent impact on people
• impact of own attitudes on working with people with mental health issues
• key issues facing people with mental health illnesses, including impact of prejudice and discrimination
• myths and facts about mental illness
• types of mental illness
• existing services to address a person’s needs and rights
• appropriate responses to changes in mental health, mental distress and crisis
• circumstances in which referral to a health or other professional is appropriate