NZQA registered unit standard
26127 version 1
Page 1 of 6
Title
Assess risk, and work within risk management strategies, in youth
development contexts
Level
5
Credits
15
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to: describe
types and sources of risk for young people and discuss how
engaging in risk taking behaviour impacts positively and
negatively on their development; identify triggers for young
people to engage in high risk behaviour, evaluate screening
tools used to screen for risk, and identify support agencies;
identify and assess risks to young people, youth development
worker and youth development organisation in a range of youth
activities and evaluate strategies for managing these; describe
youth development worker’s responsibilities and limitations in
relation to risk management in youth development and identify
own attitude to risk and its fit with legal and ethical
requirements; and use organisational protocols to support safe
workplace practice in a youth development organisation.
Classification
Social Services > Youth Development
Available grade
Achieved
Explanatory notes
1
This unit standard is underpinned by the principles in the Youth Development
Strategy Aotearoa1 (YDSA) that youth development is “based on a consistent
strengths-based approach” and is “triggered when young people fully participate”. It
prepares people to use their knowledge and understanding of youth development
practice to work with young people, and to practice accountably within established
organisational policies, procedures and protocols.
2
When contributing to achievement of a degree or any degree-related qualification,
assessment of this unit standard must be integrated within an approved programme
of study. Those providers wishing to offer a degree programme containing this
standard are referred to CMR 0222 for further information on requirements.
3
Glossary:
Code of ethics refers to a professional ethical code established by a relevant
professional or regulatory body and setting out a definitive, systematic statement on
ethical practice intended to guide the work of all members of the profession from
beginning practitioners to advanced and expert practitioners.
1Page
7, Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa, accessed from http://www.myd.govt.nz/aboutmyd/publications/youth-development-strategy-aotearoa.html
Community Support Services ITO Limited
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
(Careerforce).
SSB Code 101814
NZQA registered unit standard
26127 version 1
Page 2 of 6
Culturally safe practice is practising in a way that recognises and respects people’s
cultural differences. It has been defined by Williams (1999, p. 213)2 as the creation
of an environment “…where there is no assault, challenge or denial of their identity,
of who they are and what they need. It is about shared respect, shared meaning,
shared knowledge and experience of learning together.”
Organisational protocols are the guidelines, rules and regulations of an organisation
including its legal requirements, policies, procedures, templates and processes.
Risk is the chance of injury, damage, loss or hazard to a person or organisation.
Risk can be to an individual’s identity or physical, emotional or cultural well-being or
to an organisation’s reputation, viability, or resource base.
Risk management is the process of identifying, assessing and controlling risks arising
from organisational, social and environmental factors. It includes making decisions
that balance potential risks with potential benefits.
Screening tools mean those instruments and methods used to screen young people
for risk factors such as mental illness; drug and alcohol use; sexual, emotional or
physical abuse; and to determine their needs, strengths, resilience factors and
circumstances.
Sources of risk include but are not limited to – risk from self including self harm,
violent behaviour, law breaking, irrational behaviour, engaging in unprotected sexual
activity and taking drugs and alcohol; risk from their social environments including
violence; risk of injury from peers, family, whānau and wider communities; and risk
from the physical environment.
Types of risk include but are not limited to – injury to mental health and well-being,
and emotional well-being and self esteem; physical injury and/or disability; negative
impact on growth and development, social status, employment opportunities and
learning orientation.
Youth/young people are people between the ages of 12 and 24.
Youth development context is a situation where youth development practice is being
used intentionally to promote positive development of young people. Examples
include education, sport, community development, religious groups, cultural groups,
and interest groups.
4
Legislation covered by this unit standard includes but is not limited to – Children,
Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989; Health and Safety in Employment Act
1992; Human Rights Act 1993; Privacy Act 1993.
5
Assessment notes:
This unit standard may be assessed against evidence of demonstrated performance
in the workplace and/or through the use of simulated workplace settings in an
educational environment. Workplace settings can include field or practice learning
placements.
2
Williams, R. (1999). Cultural safety: what does it mean for our work practice? Australian and New Zealand
Journal of Public Health, 23 (2), 213-214.
Community Support Services ITO Limited
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
(Careerforce).
SSB Code 101814
NZQA registered unit standard
26127 version 1
Page 3 of 6
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Describe types and sources of risk for young people and discuss how engaging in risk
taking behaviour impacts positively and negatively on their development.
Evidence requirements
1.1
Types of risk are described.
Range
1.2
Sources of risk for young people are described.
Range
1.3
a minimum of five types of risk.
Description includes – outline of the risk, description of the harm
that may result, likely short and long-term effects on a young
person’s development.
a minimum of ten.
Description includes – potential and real sources, aggravating
factors and triggers, factors that de-escalate risk.
Impacts of engaging in risk taking behaviour on a young person’s development
are described.
Range
a minimum of two positive and two negative impacts.
Outcome 2
Identify triggers for young people to engage in high risk behaviour, evaluate screening
tools used to screen for risk, and identify support agencies.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Triggers for engaging in high risk behaviour are identified.
Range
2.2
a minimum of six triggers including – personal, social, economic,
environmental.
Screening tools for screening for risk to individuals are identified and evaluated.
Range
a minimum of two screening tools.
Evaluation includes – application of screening tool; its strengths
and limitations; cultural, ethical and legal considerations in its use;
the skills needed to use the tool and interpret the results.
Community Support Services ITO Limited
(Careerforce).
SSB Code 101814
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
2.3
26127 version 1
Page 4 of 6
Agencies available to support young people at risk of harm from alcohol, drugs,
self harm, mental illness, inappropriate sexual behaviour or violence are
identified.
Range
a minimum of six agencies.
Outcome 3
Identify and assess risks to young people, youth development worker and youth
development organisation in a range of youth activities and evaluate strategies for
managing these.
Range
evidence of three different youth activities.
Evidence requirements
3.1
Risks to young people participating in a youth activity are identified and
assessed.
Range
3.2
Risks to youth development worker’s safety and level of exposure are
assessed.
Range
3.3
assessment includes – type of risk, likelihood of exposure,
assessment of level of risk as acceptable or unacceptable.
Risks to the youth development organisation and level of exposure are
assessed.
Range
3.4
assessment includes – type of risk and level of exposure, balance
of young person’s right to take risk and likelihood of harm,
assessment of risk as acceptable or unacceptable.
assessment includes – type of risk, likelihood of exposure,
assessment of risk as acceptable or unacceptable.
Strategies to manage identified risks are evaluated.
Range
a minimum of two strategies.
Evaluation includes – description of processes for managing risks
to participants, youth development worker, youth development
organisation and wider community; legal, ethical and cultural
considerations; evaluation of their effectiveness.
Community Support Services ITO Limited
(Careerforce).
SSB Code 101814
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
26127 version 1
Page 5 of 6
Outcome 4
Describe youth development worker’s responsibilities and limitations in relation to risk
management in youth development practice and identify own attitude to risk and its fit with
legal and ethical requirements.
Evidence requirements
4.1
Youth development worker’s legal and ethical responsibilities and limitations in
relation to risk management are described.
description includes requirements of – Children, Young Persons,
and Their Families Act 1989; Health and Safety in Employment
Act 1992; Human Rights Act 1993; Privacy Act 1993; a relevant
professional code of ethics.
Range
4.2
Own attitude to risk and its fit with legal and ethical requirements is identified.
identification includes – areas where attitude falls below legal and
ethical requirements, areas where attitude meets or exceeds legal
and ethical requirements.
Range
Outcome 5
Use organisational protocols to support safe workplace practice in a youth development
organisation.
Evidence requirements
5.1
Organisational protocols regarding personal presentation and behaviour at work
are used to ensure risks to self and others are minimised.
5.2
Organisational protocols are used to ensure youth development practice is
culturally safe.
5.3
Organisational protocols are used to implement risk management policies and
procedures, and to develop a safety plan.
5.4
Organisational protocols are used to ensure effective monitoring, measuring
and reporting of health and safety.
Planned review date
31 December 2013
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
14 April 2011
Community Support Services ITO Limited
(Careerforce).
SSB Code 101814
N/A
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
26127 version 1
Page 6 of 6
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0222
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMRs). The
CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing
to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors
and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Community Support Services ITO Limited (Careerforce)
info@careerforce.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit
standard.
Community Support Services ITO Limited
(Careerforce).
SSB Code 101814
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016