19403
28-Jun-16
1 of 5
MANAGE SOCIAL SERVICES
Describe how to reduce the risk of
violence in a social service workplace
level:
4
credit:
3
planned review date:
June 2006
sub-field:
Social Services
purpose:
This unit standard is for beginning social service workers
who may be confronted by risks of violence within social
service work. People credited with this unit standard are
able to describe violence in social service work, and describe
risks of violence and means of reducing risk in social
services work.
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).
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
19403
28-Jun-16
2 of 5
MANAGE SOCIAL SERVICES
Describe how to reduce the risk of
violence in a social service workplace
2
People using violence may be employers, managers,
supervisors, co-workers, social service users, students,
or contacts outside of the workplace. This unit standard
does not cover specialist competencies required for
dealing with violence accompanying armed robbery.
3
Glossary
An environment conducive to reducing violence is one
in which all people are attended to in terms of their
characteristics and needs. Characteristics may be
physical, spiritual and mental, and may include but are
not limited to: age and stage of development, culture,
disability, gender, health status, language, and sexual
orientation. Needs include needs to be respected,
affirmed, and supported, and needs for physical
comfort, safety, and privacy.
Verbal abuse includes abuse based upon the age,
culture, disability, gender, health status, language, or
sexual orientation of the person abused.
Violence includes "all forms of physical and nonphysical abuse, attack, threat or assault [that may be
emotional, physical, verbal, and/or sexual in nature,
and] has damaging physical or psychological effects
upon the person".
Acknowledgements: Bibby, P., compiler and editor.
1994. Personal Safety for Social Workers. England:
Arena Ashgate Publishing Company.
4
Legislation relevant to this unit standard: Health and
Safety in Employment Act 1992, Employment Relations
Act 2000, Human Rights Act 1993 ss. 61 - 69.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
19403
28-Jun-16
3 of 5
MANAGE SOCIAL SERVICES
Describe how to reduce the risk of
violence in a social service workplace
5
Guidelines relevant to this unit standard: Occupational
Safety and Health Service. January 1995. A Guide for
Employers and Employees on Dealing With Violence at
work: Information for employers and other people who
may be exposed to physical assault, verbal abuse,
threats or intimidation. Wellington: Occupational Safety
and Heath Service, Department of Labour.
The Occupational Safety and Health guidelines can be
downloaded from the following web site:
http://www.osh.govt.nz/order/catalogue/index.html
Elements and Performance Criteria
element 1
Describe violence in social service work.
performance criteria
1.1
Violence is described in terms of the range of violent and aggressive behaviour
that may occur in social service work.
Range:
violent and aggressive behaviour includes - emotional violence;
physical violence; verbal violence; sexual violence; racial
harassment; sexual harassment; aggressive, intimidating, and
threatening behaviour; telephone harassment; loitering.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
19403
28-Jun-16
4 of 5
MANAGE SOCIAL SERVICES
Describe how to reduce the risk of
violence in a social service workplace
1.2
Personal attributes and experiences are described in terms of their relevance to
violence in social service work.
Range:
1.3
personal attributes and experiences may include but are not
limited to – assertiveness; body language; communication
patterns; impact of personal experiences of violence; conditioning
in gender roles and sexuality; controlling attitudes; use of power
and control; methods of dealing with anger and frustration.
Evidence is required of three personal attributes and experiences.
The description lists service providers that provide services that respond to
violence.
Range:
service providers may include but are not limited to - ACC;
Domestic Violence Act providers; health services; Human Rights
Commission; Iwi/Māori social services; legal services; Pacific
Island social service providers; Police; Rape Crisis; stopping
violence services; Te Korowai Aroha Aotearoa; Victim Support;
Women's Refuge.
Evidence is required of three service providers.
element 2
Describe risks of violence and means of reducing risk in social services work.
performance criteria
2.1
Situations are described in terms of potential risks of violence in social services
settings.
Range:
situations - meetings within the workplace; meetings outside of the
workplace; cash handling; environmental issues in the workplace;
race and gender issues; transport issues.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
19403
28-Jun-16
5 of 5
MANAGE SOCIAL SERVICES
Describe how to reduce the risk of
violence in a social service workplace
2.2
Potential triggers to violent behaviour are described in terms of factors that may
lead to violence or contribute to a violent incident.
Range:
2.3
Signs of impending violent behaviour are described.
Range:
2.4
factors may include but are not limited to - alcohol and drugs;
anger; defensiveness; frustration; power and control issues;
learned behaviour; cultural learning; stress; reactions to poor
service and prolonged discomfort; verbal and non-verbal
communications.
Evidence is required of four factors.
verbal and non-verbal signs.
Ways of minimising risk of violence in the workplace are outlined in terms of
Occupational Safety and Health Service guidelines.
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