Unit of competency details

Descriptor 

This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to provide mental health services within a legal context

Application 

This unit applies to work with forensic mental health clients in a range of community services work contexts

This work provides a person-centred approach to care, involving a variety of health and community service professionals working collaboratively with the client, their carer/s and family

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. Work within a legal context

1.1 Apply knowledge of the legal system and the justice health system

1.2 Work with knowledge of legislation (other than mental health legislation) as it applies to the client with forensic mental health  issues

1.3 Work with understanding of social and political context in which the law operates, in the context of client with forensic mental health issues

2. Work with clients with mental health and forensic issues 

2.1 Determine possible impact of client forensic issues on client's recovery program

2.2 Determine impact of mental health status on client's forensic issues

2.3 Determine impact on client of the interaction between forensic issues and mental health issues

2.4 Where required, and with client's permission, involve legal and advocacy services in client's recovery plan

2.5 With client, review recovery plan to best meet the intersection between mental health and forensic issues

2.6 Where appropriate, assist client to identify possible cause and effect of mental health issues on forensic issues

2.7 Determine client's needs holistically, identifying health and social care needs including factors relating to impacts of culture, race, gender, spirituality and lifestyle

2.8 Identify other risk factors for client's population group (e.g. sex offender risk factors)

2.9 Work with client to identify indicators that client is approaching a state of relapse

2.10 Provide advocacy within legal and mental health sectors where there is an intersect impact on client

3. Work collaboratively to plan support

3.1 Collaborate with client to develop plans for future support, care and treatment

3.2 Provide input into an historical risk document which can be passed on to different forensic health support services

4. Review mental health status in relation to ongoing forensic issues

4.1 Regularly discuss progress with the client and renegotiate goals and strategies as required

4.2 Work with the client to identify changes in their mental health status and determine the impact of any change on client's forensic issues

4.3 Where appropriate, review effectiveness of legal and advocacy services in relation to client's forensic issues and in the context of their recovery plan

4.4 Discuss recovery outcomes and ongoing forensic issues with client and appropriate persons inside or outside the organisation and document in accordance with organisation policies and procedures

4.5 In consultation with client and other relevant stakeholders, revise goals, strategies and service delivery decisions to reflect outcomes of review undertaken

5. Report and document information

5.1 Document information about the intervention according to organisation protocols

5.2 Observe privacy and confidentiality requirements when reporting interventions

5.3 Use appropriate terminology to document consumer response, outcomes and identified problems related to service delivery

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:

• Legislation and policy that has an impact on the client
• Own ethical standards and values
• Relevant codes of conduct
• Advocacy principles and practices
• Understanding of the role of community based mental health support in the context of forensic mental health

Essential skills :

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

• Work within a code of practice
• Work across different systems (i.e. forensic system and mental health system) and respond to tensions between the systems
• Support clients to work toward more positive futures
• Take action to care to self

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 is best assessed on the job or in a simulated workplace under the normal range of conditions
• Consistency in performance should consider the requirements of the particular workplace context

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 of this unit include access to a workplace or simulated workplace where assessment may occur

Method of assessment :

• In cases where the learner does not have the opportunity to cover all relevant aspects in the work environment, the remainder should be assessed through realistic simulations, projects, previous relevant experience or oral questioning on 'What if?' scenarios
• Assessment of this unit of competence will usually include observation of processes and procedures, oral and/or written questioning on Essential knowledge and skills and consideration of required attitudes
• Where performance is not directly observed and/or is required to be demonstrated over a 'period of time' and/or in a 'number of locations', any evidence should be authenticated by colleagues, supervisors, clients or other appropriate persons

Related units :

This unit of competency is to be assessed after or in conjunction with:

• CHCMH501A Provide advanced supports to facilitate recovery

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.

Forensic mental health refers to :

• Services provided for the assessment and care of mentally disturbed offenders

Mental health and forensic issues may involve :

• Client's ability to make a plea in court
• Client's state of mind at the time of the offence
• Need for assessment and service delivery

Forensic mental health clients may include :

• Convicted offenders
• People who are accused of crimes, but considered unfit to plead because of their mental disturbance
• People who are considered not guilty of alleged crimes because of their mental impairment
• Offenders or alleged offenders who are referred by courts
• Mentally ill offenders living in the general community