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PROVIDE SOCIAL SERVICES
Contribute to groups in social service
work
level:
4
credit:
6
planned review date:
June 2006
sub-field:
Social Services
purpose:
People credited with this unit standard are able to: contribute
to establishment of the group; contribute to the identification
of group objectives and tasks; assist the group to address
objectives and tasks; and contribute to closure of the group.
entry information:
Open.
accreditation option:
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and industry.
moderation option:
A centrally established and directed national moderation
system has been set up by Community Support Services ITO
Limited (Careerforce).
special notes:
1
People awarded credit in this unit standard are able to
outline the meaning of the articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
and the relevance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to social
service work, and are able to apply this competence to
the context of assessment for this unit standard (for
further clarification, please refer to Unit 19408, Outline
the meaning and relevance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in
social service work).
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2
This unit standard may be assessed on the basis of
evidence of demonstrated performance in the work
place, and/or through the use of simulated work place
situations that closely approximate the performance
required in workplace settings. Work place settings can
include field education placements.
3
Glossary
The characteristics and needs of group members and
the group may be physical, spiritual, or mental.
Characteristics and needs may include but are not
limited to: age and stage of development, culture,
disability, gender, health status, language, sexual
orientation, and needs for physical comfort, safety, and
privacy. The group environment reflects the value and
appropriateness of that setting in terms of the group
task and process.
Group and group members are used as generic terms
to denote the people who are involved in groups in
social services settings. They may be referred to by
various descriptive terms in the range of social service
settings.
4
People awarded credit in this unit standard are able to
demonstrate self care and positive functioning in
groups, and ability to relate to difference, as evidenced
by acknowledgement and respect for difference,
acceptance, genuineness, honesty, humility, patience,
and warmth. They use inclusive language that is
appropriate to the characteristics and needs of the
group and group members. They seek to establish and
maintain rapport with the group, respond to criticism or
negative feedback without defensiveness, and act on
changes required to maintain rapport.
They
demonstrate and communicate clarity about their role in
the social services within all relationships with members
of the group. They know the limits of their role,
function, and competence, and when to refer on to
others.
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5
All communications with group members, and within the
group are treated confidentially. The scope and limits
of confidentiality are defined through negotiation and
informed consent of group members and the group, and
criteria established by legislation, ethical practice, and
service provider guidelines. In the context of this unit
standard, sources of criteria established by legislation,
ethical practice, and service provider guidelines include
but are not limited to: Official Information Act 1982,
Privacy Act 1993, service provider codes of conduct,
codes of practice issued by the Privacy Commissioner,
social service codes of ethics, and service provider
guidelines, protocols, staff manuals, strategic plans,
kawa, or tikanga.
Elements and Performance Criteria
element 1
Contribute to establishment of the group.
performance criteria
1.1
Contributions to establishment of the group attend to the characteristics and
needs of group members and the group and establishment of the group
environment.
1.2
Contributions to establishment of the group clarify the social service worker's
role, function, and any legal responsibilities with the group.
1.3
Contributions to group formation address essential elements of group
management.
Range:
essential elements of group management may include but are not
limited to - membership of and commitment to the group; ground
rules, kawa or protocols for each group session and group
relationships; leadership; methods and procedures for dealing with
conflict in the group.
Evidence is required of three essential elements.
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1.4
Group members are related to according to their characteristics and needs.
element 2
Contribute to the identification of group objectives and tasks.
performance criteria
2.1
Information sought or contributed is relevant to identification of group member's
and the group's characteristics and needs and group objectives and tasks.
2.2
Interpersonal skills are used which respond to verbal and non-verbal
communications and contribute to the identification of group objectives and
tasks.
Range:
2.3
interpersonal skills may include but are not limited to - attending,
clarifying, encouraging, following, listening, questioning,
paraphrasing, reflecting.
Evidence is required of three interpersonal skills.
Group work skills contribute to identification and facilitation of the task,
maintenance, and individual needs of the group.
Range:
group work skills may include but are not limited to - identification
and maintenance of group values; maintenance of ground rules,
kawa or protocol; leadership; conflict resolution; negotiation;
contributions to decision making processes; group working
methods; group building and development; identification of and
contributions to group dynamics.
Evidence is required of four group work skills.
2.4
Contributions to the group assist the group to define achievable and
measurable objectives and tasks that are consistent with the coping abilities,
knowledge, resources, skills, and values of the group.
2.5
Contributions to the group assist the group to identify connections between
objectives and tasks and their social and cultural context.
element 3
Assist the group to address objectives and tasks.
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performance criteria
3.1
Assistance supports group members to identify and select the process to be
used to address objectives and tasks.
Range:
assistance - co-creating and exploring alternatives, focusing,
providing information, brain storming, leading.
Evidence is required of three forms of assistance.
3.2
Assistance supports group members to develop a mutually agreed group plan
that is consistent with objectives and tasks, and consistent with the group's
coping abilities, knowledge, resources, skills, and values.
3.3
Assistance is provided in accordance with the social service worker's role in the
plan.
3.4
Assistance to the group encourages self determination of the group and
discourages dependency on the social service worker or service provider.
3.5
Assistance supports group members to evaluate progress in terms of objectives
and tasks.
element 4
Contribute to closure of the group.
performance criteria
4.1
Contributions to closure of each group session are according to the established
kawa or protocol.
4.2
Contributions to closure of the group plan are according to completion of
planned involvement of the social service worker or service provider.
4.3
Contributions to closure of the group assist identification of relevant issues
arising from the group.
Range:
relevant issues arising from the group may include but are not
limited to - identification of achieved objectives and tasks; transfer
of learning to dealing with other concerns, issues, or needs;
identification of objectives and tasks that have not yet been
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achieved; identification of future objectives and tasks; identification
of options to achieve future objectives and tasks.
Evidence is required of two relevant issues.
4.4
Contributions to closure of the group are according to the established kawa or
protocol.
Comments to:
Careerforce
PO Box 2637
Wellington 6140
Please Note:
Providers must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority
before they can offer programmes of education and training
assessed against unit standards.
Accredited providers assessing against unit standards must
engage with the moderation system that applies to those unit
standards. [Please refer to relevant Plan ref: 0222]
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016