7937 version 4
28-Jun-16
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PROVIDE SOCIAL SERVICES
Provide information for specific social
service needs
level:
5
credit:
6
planned review date:
June 2006
sub-field:
Social Services
purpose:
People credited with this unit standard are able to identify a
service user's specific needs for social services information,
and present the information to the service user.
entry information:
Open.
accreditation option:
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA, industry and
teaching professional in the same field from another
provider.
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
explain the application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the
social services, and are able to apply this competence
to the context of assessment for this unit standard (for
further clarification, please refer to Unit 7927, Explain
the application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the social
services).
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
7937 version 4
28-Jun-16
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PROVIDE SOCIAL SERVICES
Provide information for specific social
service needs
2
Glossary
Information may be oral or written.
Sources of
information may be service provider or personal data
bases, manuals, pamphlets and records, and/or
information from other agencies and organisations.
Those who require social services information for
specific needs are referred to as service users. They
may be individuals, groups, families or whānau, hapū,
iwi, or other kin group; a community of interest, a
community of locality, or a cultural community.
Service user includes those who require the information
themselves and those who are directly or indirectly
involved with a service user. The service user's
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. People awarded credit for this unit standard
demonstrate competence in three contexts, with any
combination of the above factors.
Specific needs may include but are not limited to:
alternative care, care of the elderly, community issues,
consumer rights, criminal justice, disabilities, economic
development, environmental issues, families and
whānau, health care, housing and land, human rights,
infertility and pregnancy, iwi development, legal issues,
psychiatric care, sexuality, social security benefits,
alcohol and drug issues, violence and abuse. Specific
needs may be cultural, economic, educational,
emotional, psychological, physical, spiritual, social, or
political, or related to age or gender. People awarded
credit for this unit standard demonstrate competence in
three contexts, with any combination of the above
factors.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
7937 version 4
28-Jun-16
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PROVIDE SOCIAL SERVICES
Provide information for specific social
service needs
3
All communications are treated confidentially. The
scope and limits of confidentiality are defined through
negotiation and informed consent, 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.
4
People awarded credit in this unit standard show that
their actions are guided and supported by valid theory
for social service practice. Evidence is required of
social service theory that is derived from authoritative
sources, which may include but are not limited to: body
of knowledge related to social service work; cultural
theory; practice research.
Elements and Performance Criteria
element 1
Identify a service user's specific needs for social services information.
performance criteria
1.1
Interpersonal skills are used which respond to verbal and non-verbal
communications and identify specific needs.
Range:
1.2
interpersonal skills - attending, clarifying, encouraging, following,
listening, questioning, paraphrasing, reflection of feeling and
content, summarising.
The area of specific need for social services information is identified according
to confirmation with the service user.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
7937 version 4
28-Jun-16
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PROVIDE SOCIAL SERVICES
Provide information for specific social
service needs
element 2
Present the information to the service user.
performance criteria
2.1
Information is accessed from sources that are current and valid.
2.2
Information presented meets the specific need according to confirmation with
the service user.
2.3
Information is presented within criteria established by legislation, ethical
practice, and service provider guidelines.
2.4
The method of presentation of information matches the service user's
characteristics and needs.
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