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PACIFIC ISLAND SOCIAL SERVICES
Assess the presenting needs of a user
of Pacific Island social services
level:
4
credit:
6
planned review date:
June 2002
sub-field:
Social Services
purpose:
People credited with this unit standard are able to gather
information on the presenting needs of a participant in
Pacific Island social services, and assess the information
gathered on the presenting needs of a participant in Pacific
Island social services.
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
demonstrate knowledge of te tino rangatiratanga and
kawanatanga of the Treaty of Waitangi, and are able to
demonstrate knowledge of how to apply the articles of
the Treaty of Waitangi to social services. They are able
to apply this knowledge to the context of assessment
for this unit standard (for further clarification, please
refer to Unit 7927, Demonstrate knowledge of the
application of the Treaty of Waitangi in the social
services).
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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PACIFIC ISLAND SOCIAL SERVICES
Assess the presenting needs of a user
of Pacific Island social services
2
Pacific Island refers primarily to the main island groups
represented in New Zealand, namely Samoan, Tongan,
Cook Island, Niuean, Tokelauan, Fijian, Tuvaluan,
Solomon Islands, Kiribati.
3
Participant is used as a generic term to denote people
from Pacific Island user groups in the social services.
4
Presenting needs include but are not limited to needs
for: advice, health care, information, protection, referral,
shelter, cultural needs, emotional support, financial
support, material support, signs of crisis or distress.
5
Signs of crisis or distress may include but are not
limited to: indicators of disturbed behaviour, disorders
of physical or mental health, personal withdrawal and
disassociation,
family
ostracism,
poverty,
homelessness, relationship crises or difficulties,
suicidal behaviour, substance abuse, violence,
gambling addiction.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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PACIFIC ISLAND SOCIAL SERVICES
Assess the presenting needs of a user
of Pacific Island social services
6
Agreement with the participant and/or people of
significance to the participant reflects the desirability of
the Pacific Island social service worker first attempting
to achieve agreement with the participant and her/his
family on accuracy of information and any processes to
be undertaken. In some instances this may not be
possible because of intervening factors such as
physical or mental health conditions, or incapacities
caused by alcohol or drug usage. In those situations,
agreement is judged in terms of information and
opinions held by other people of significance, who first
include members of the participant's family; and
secondly, health and social service workers, ministers
of religion, police officers, solicitors, and others who
have current knowledge about the participant and
her/his/their situation.
7
Available resources include but are not limited to
resources available to the participant from: the social
service worker, the social service worker's agency or
organisation, Pacific Island social services, other social
services, community groups, the participant's family,
church, the participant's own resources.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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PACIFIC ISLAND SOCIAL SERVICES
Assess the presenting needs of a user
of Pacific Island social services
8
All communications with participants are treated
confidentially. The scope and limits of confidentiality
are defined through negotiation, and informed consent
of participants, and criteria established by legislation,
ethical practice, and organisational guidelines. In the
context of this unit standard, sources of criteria
established by legislation, ethical practice, and
organisational 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, Pacific Island social service
codes of ethics, and organisational guidelines,
protocols, staff manuals, strategic plans, kaupapa.
9
In carrying out all elements of this unit standard,
actions are documented according to enterprise
standards. Enterprise standards include but are not
limited to: service provider strategic plans, kaupapa,
governing legislation, staff manuals, and service
provider protocols.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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PACIFIC ISLAND SOCIAL SERVICES
Assess the presenting needs of a user
of Pacific Island social services
Elements and Performance Criteria
element 1
Gather information on the presenting needs of a participant in Pacific Island social
services.
Range:
information may be oral, written, or a combination of oral and written.
performance criteria
1.1
Information gathered is accurate according to agreements with the participant
and/or people of significance to the participant.
1.2
Information is gathered according to cultural protocols and criteria established
by legislation, ethical practice, and organisational guidelines.
element 2
Assess the information gathered on the presenting needs of a participant in Pacific Island
social services.
performance criteria
2.1
Assessment identifies presenting needs according to agreements with the
participant and/or people of significance to the participant, and cultural
protocols.
2.2
Assessment identifies presenting needs according to cultural protocols and
criteria established by legislation, ethical practice, and organisational
guidelines.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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PACIFIC ISLAND SOCIAL SERVICES
Assess the presenting needs of a user
of Pacific Island social services
2.3
Assessment of presenting needs is accurate according to agreements with the
participant and/or people of significance to the participant.
2.4
Assessment identifies recommendations for action according to relevant
criteria.
Range:
action - by the participant, by people of significance to the
participant, by the Pacific Island social service worker;
evidence is required of one of the range;
relevant criteria - assessment of presenting needs, participant
abilities and means, available resources, input from other people
of significance to the participant;
evidence is required of one of the range.
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