Applicants for
membership of AIWCW and for assessment of overseas qualifications and skills,
should consult the List of AIWCW Core Competencies in PART 2, the Evidence
Guidelines in PART 3, and the pro forma Format Guideline for the setting out of
evidence in PART 4 of this document, with PART 4.5 “Core Competencies” forming
the focus of the application.
On
1. HAVE COMPLETED AN OTHER RELEVANT
QUALIFICATION (ORQ)
An Other Relevant Qualification will be at least
equivalent to an Australian Qualification Framework Diploma which has
curriculum relevant to a closely related occupation, such as work with
disabled, youth, the aged, nursing, physiotherapy, etc; OR which is equivalent
to at least a bachelor degree with a major in psychology or sociology or a
similar social science degree And:
2.
PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF AT LEAST THREE YEARS OF PROFESSIONAL EXERIENCE
Professional Experience can be paid or voluntary, but must be adequately supervised by a professional and average at least 30 hours per week, and undertaken within the last 10 years. The experience may be in an Other Relevant Occupation, such as psychologist, nurse, community worker, social policy analyst or planner, or residential care worker, (e.g.) And:
3. SATISFY
AIWCW CORE COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS
In order to
satisfy the Core Competency Requirements, applicants must provide sufficient
evidence that they have attained all 33 of the Essential Elements of
Core Competency, and have attained two out of the six Elements labelled
“Desirable”
Applicants
should use the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Recognition of Current
Competencies (RCC) process, the guidelines for which are included in PART 3. Details of the other 2 requirements above
(ORQ and 3 years experience) may be included within the RPL & RCC process,
but if so they must be clearly acknowledged as such. A pro forma guideline for
the setting out of evidence is provided in PART 4 of this document.
Notes: 1) Cues are examples of the
relevant Element, and evidence for all these particular examples need not be
supplied, but at least some should normally be included.
2) The term “client” might refer to an
individual, couple, family, group or community.
Core Competency 1 – Practices social welfare in an
ethical manner in accordance with values and ethics of the profession
Elements (All Elements are Essential)
1.1.
Applies principles of respect and
commitment to clients as human beings, regardless of their attitudes and
behaviour.
1.2.
Applies principles of social justice,
equity, individual worth and dignity and self-determination in day to day
professional practice and in policy development and implementation
1.3.
Practices in an ethical manner
1.4.
Is responsible and accountable for
one’s own actions, decisions and professional development
1.5.
Maintains and applies an awareness of
legal issues, principles and mechanism, legislation and statutory provisions
affecting professional practice
1.6.
Applies critical analysis to the
profession, social welfare agencies and organizations, and societal
institutions, and works towards change.
Core
Competency 2 – Communicate with a broad spectrum of people and organisations
using appropriate techniques and media.
Elements (All Elements are Essential except 2.4
which is Desirable)
2.1.
Speaks such that one’s meaning is
conveyed effectively.{CUE to clients (individuals and groups),
colleagues, meetings (in-house and public), consultations}
2.2.
Understands and clarifies the intended
meaning of the communication of others
2.3.
Prepares written communication
{CUE: intake reports, case notes, reports for
consideration of a law court, submission for funding, agendas and minutes of
meetings, draft pamphlets and leaflets, draft press releases, community
announcements}
2.4.
Collects, organises, presents and
disseminates information relating to social and community services programs and
issues { CUE : to clients, to the general
community, within organizations, to other agencies} [Desirable]
2.5.
Selects and uses the means of
communication appropriate to the occasion
2.6.
Demonstrates awareness of the impact of
values, power and authority in communication
Core Competency 3 – Assesses, plans and evaluates
programmes, projects and work programmes with clients.
Elements (All Elements are Essential)
3.1.
Gathers relevant data
{CUE information for case histories}
3.2.
Identifies, assesses and analyses data {CUE ability to
provide options}
3.3.
Facilitates the participation of people in developing
policies and programs {CUE
clients, projects and programs}
3.4.
Sets goals and objectives
3.5.
Monitors and evaluates work with clients, policies, programs
and projects.
Core Competency 4 – Implement programmes, projects and
work with clients.
Elements (All Elements are Essential except 4.8
which is Desirable)
4.1
Applies a
range of theories, techniques and methods in working with clients as
individuals, families, groups and communities.
4.2
Conducts interviews with clients and others for a variety of
purposes
4.3
Empowers and educates clients to act on their behalf
4.4
Work with clients and their social environments, and with
the interaction between clients and their environments
4.5
Develops referral systems and makes referrals to other
services, resources and professionals
4.6
Receives referrals from other services
4.7
Facilitates development and maintenance of groups. Networks with communities of people for their
mutual benefit
4.8
Establishes and implements projects and programs. [Desirable]
Core Competency 5 – Plan, organise and carry out work
autonomously and as part of a team
Elements (Elements 5.2, 5.3 & 5.4 are
Essential. Elements 5.1, 5.5 and 5.6 are Desirable)
5.1.
Manages projects and programs [Desirable]
5.2.
Works according to statutory
requirements and policies {CUE
equal opportunity, privacy, occupational health and safety and
industrial relations}
5.3.
Works autonomously
5.4.
Works as a member of a team
5.5.
Manages staff and volunteers including
ongoing support and co-ordination of their activities {CUE:
entry level – up to approximately 20 volunteers} [Desirable]
5.6.
Develops and maintains records and
information systems relating to clients, resources, programs and projects. [Desirable]
Core Competency 6 – Use one’s personal attributes to
effect in dealings with clients, colleagues, employers, and the general
community
Elements (All Elements are Essential)
6.1.
Develops rapport with the client
6.2.
Maintains a high level of self
awareness
6.3.
Applies flexibility and openness to
change, using improvisation and creative alternatives
6.4.
Is aware of personal and professional
limitations, and consults others when appropriate.
Core Competency 7 – Demonstrates an awareness of
societal structures and systems, both formal and informal, and understands
these systems and their implications for clients, workers and community
services organisations.
Elements (All Elements are Essential except for
7.3 which is Desirable)
7.1.
Applies an understanding of
social, cultural, spiritual, political and economic influences in considering
client situations, and in developing policies, programs and projects.
7.2.
Applies an understanding of
societal institutional frameworks to practice {CUE Judiciary, parliamentary, administrative
levels of government; statutory bodies; peak SACS bodies, eg. ACOSS, legal institutions, non-government agencies eg.
Salvation Army, Red Cross, Neighbourhood Houses}
7.3.
Understands the legislative and statutory
provisions affecting workers [Desirable]
7.4.
Applies an understanding of the
historical and socio-political context of welfare work as a profession.
***Please
note that entry level competency in all essential elements must be demonstrated
and one third (1/3rd) of the desirable elements.
PART 3 -
EVIDENCE GUIDELINES – Recognition of Current Competencies
Recognition
of Current Competencies (RCC), Skills Recognition or Recognition of Prior
Learning (RPL) are examples of the different purposes
of assessment. They are a means of
recognising competencies, through previous informal and formal learning, or
through work and life experience.
How can I substantiate my claim that I have met the
competencies nominated?
To
be deemed competent in an Element of competency you must satisfy the
requirement for each criteria within the Element of
competency. Evidence of competence must
be provided in a manner that enables an Assessor to readily ascertain whether
the required competencies have been demonstrated.
To
be consistently effective you need to understand the theories, models,
principles, methods and techniques that underpin your competence. People with this knowledge and understanding
are able to decide and explain what and how things should be done. This is part of being able to produce
competent performance.
To
demonstrate underpinning knowledge and understanding, it may be necessary to
satisfactorily answer questions from an Assessor in addition to provision of
the portfolio of evidence.
a) Greater weight will be given
by an Assessor to evidence that is less than 5 years old, and evidence which is
over 10 years old will generally be given little weight (but might still be
included, especially if it relates continuously to more recent experience)
b) A single piece of evidence such as a
reference, critical incident or case example may be relevant to more than one criteria within any one Element of Competency, to more than
one Element of Competency, and to more than one of the seven Core Competencies.
c) There are three types of evidence that can
be collected and presented. All three
types of evidence will probably be required.
1. Products of Work
2. Personal Reports
3. Witness Testimony
This
type of evidence is divided into Direct Evidence and Indirect Evidence.
Direct
evidence is usually more valid, but assessors will expect to see both types,
plus witness testimony to authenticate them.
Direct
evidence is anything for which you have been primarily responsible.
This
reflects your own work and may include:
·
An outline of the statutory parameters
or legal constraints
you have had to work within during your work in the community and
human service field.
·
Provision of evidence of successful
team membership
·
Provision of evidence of successful
work organization methods
·
Descriptions of case examples, critical
incidents, etc. You could include a record of interview with client(s), or a
full case report, with identifying data removed or blacked out.
·
Provision of evidence of effective
communication style both written and verbal with a range of media appropriate
to the situation
·
Appraisals or Team Reviews that you
have completed
·
Videos of Presentations
·
Evidence of strategies designed and/or
implemented.
(These are examples only, applicants
need to match what they do/or have done within their framework for practice,
with the AIWCW Core Competencies)
This
is information gathered from others about you, and may include:
·
Minutes of Meeting in which you have
participated or have facilitated
·
Magazine or Newspaper articles about
you
·
Prizes, Certificates or other forms of
Commendation
·
Witness Testimony (see below)
·
Self Appraisal
The
personal report is a concise description of the activities and functions
carried out, and should be related to the Core Competencies claimed. It reflects action taken, knowledge and
understanding. A personal report can be
used in conjunction with an oral interview or some other form of assessment.
The
report helps to highlight the knowledge and understanding required to do a job,
and it links with the evidence. You might link it to a case study or record of
interview. You need to explain how your evidence addresses each criteria or
learning outcome in each element of competency or module. It gives the applicant the
opportunity to explain what you know, what you can do, and why you did what you
did in particular situations. The
reports explain how and why the evidence meets the standards in terms of being
valid, authentic, reliable, consistent and current.
The
personal report should include:
·
A brief description of the context or
contract in which the work was carried out.
·
Details of actions taken.
·
An explanation as to how the evidence
relates to the actions taken.
·
An explanation as to why certain
decisions were made, and what factors influenced the outcome.
·
An explanation of the underpinning
knowledge; and understanding that had to be drawn upon. For example, was it necessary to follow
agency policy or any specific legislation?
What underpinning principles were applied? Relate any applicable theories to your
evidence.
·
An explanation of the planning
processes used.
·
An explanation of the decisions
regarding follow-up as a result of the outcomes.
·
Identification of any other situations
handled which were similar. This demonstrates that a range of situations can be
handled.
Witness
testimony should be seen as useful feedback and not merely a reference.
This
is indirect evidence about you, and may include:
·
Letters or formal legal statements
(such as `statutory declarations’) from managers, customers, colleagues,
previous bosses or subordinates to support your claim, including letters of
appreciation. Note that simple statements specifying the period of employment,
and/or general character references will be relevant, but not sufficient as
evidence of competencies.
·
Reports from a manager who witnessed
specific activities undertaken, for example, meetings, presentations,
interviews.
·
Results of questionnaires, surveys,
critiques initiated by you or others.
Witness
testimonies should also contain:
·
An agency or company heading or
letterhead
·
The name of the supervisor or manager
·
The period of employment
·
A list or description of competencies
·
A statement of verification
·
The signature and position of the
person verifying the claim
·
The date
Confidentiality
is an extremely important aspect of the whole process of Recognition of Current
Competencies. It is important that
sensitive information is not disclosed.
You should
obtain authorisation to use evidence, and remove sensitive names
and figures, if necessary.
The Assessor or a panel of assessors will,
through a systematic review of evidence claiming validation, and by applying
specific testing where applicable, determine whether you have
demonstrated/substantiated achievement of the learning outcomes/competencies.
An
initial Assessment will be made which might grant recognition of one or more of
the seven Core Competencies, or of some Elements within these, based upon
documentation you supply (and perhaps upon precedent from similar past
applications).
If the Assessment cannot be completed using
the material supplied, you may be asked to provide additional information and
evidence, or an assessment by personal interview might be required. This might
be conducted by telephone, or even email, if face-to-face interviews are not possible.
Brief tests using multiple choice or short answers to specific issues,
knowledge or case examples, might also be used.
The final decision will be based upon:
(1)
A review of all the documentation
(2)
And/or the conducting of a personal
assessment if deemed necessary
Feedback is available with regards to your
documentation or your assessment performance. Further evidence or extension of
the assessment may be considered if the decision to grant recognition is
marginal.
If
recognition is not granted, you will receive post assessment guidance that will
inform you of the Appeal Provisions. Details of the general Membership Appeals
Procedure are also available from the AIWCW National Secretary. The following
is a summary.