7969 version 5
28-Jun-16
1 of 10
SOCIAL SERVICE WORK WITH ABUSE,
NEGLECT, AND VIOLENCE
Facilitate empowerment with people
who have experienced abuse, neglect,
or violence
level:
6
credit:
6
planned review date:
June 2006
sub-field:
Social Services
purpose:
People credited with this unit standard are able to: respond
to participants who have experienced abuse, neglect, or
violence; facilitate identification of the consequences of
abuse, neglect, or violence for participants; facilitate planning
of strategies for participant empowerment in abuse, neglect,
and violence situations; facilitate implementation of the plan
for participant empowerment in abuse, neglect, and violence
situations; facilitate evaluation of implementation of the plan
for participant empowerment in abuse, neglect, and violence
situations; and effect closure of implementation of the plan
for participant empowerment in abuse, neglect, and violence
situations.
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
implement Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the social services
according to the authority and resources available to
them, and are able to demonstrate application of this
competence to the context of assessment for this unit
standard (for further clarification, please refer to Unit
7928, Implement Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the social
services).
2
Glossary
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
7969 version 5
28-Jun-16
2 of 10
SOCIAL SERVICE WORK WITH ABUSE,
NEGLECT, AND VIOLENCE
Facilitate empowerment with people
who have experienced abuse, neglect,
or violence
Abuse, neglect, and violence includes abusive,
neglectful, violent, or controlling behaviour that may be
economic, emotional, physical, social, verbal, spiritual,
and/or sexual in nature. It also includes role abuse,
which means the abuse of power by an individual or
agency that has a professional, service, or status-based
role in relation to survivors. Abuse, neglect, and
violence may occur within or outside of families and
whānau.
Empowerment recognises that people may be
oppressed and marginalised, and lose self
determination over their own lives, by virtue of
oppression that is based on their experience of abuse,
neglect, or violence.
To achieve personal
empowerment connotes attainment or restoration of
that self determination. "Empowerment is the process
by which people, organisations, or groups who are
powerless (a) become aware of the power dynamics at
work in their life context, (b) develop the skills and
capacity for gaining some reasonable control over their
lives, (c) exercise this control without infringing upon
the rights of others, and (d) support the empowerment
of others in their community." McWhirter, Ellen Hawley.
1991. "Empowerment in counseling". Journal of
Counseling and Development 69:224
Participants may include but are not limited to: people
whose life or safety is affected by abuse, neglect, or
violence; family or whānau of people whose life or
safety is affected by abuse, neglect, or violence. For
the purposes of this unit standard, people whose life or
safety is affected by abuse, neglect, or violence may
include children and young persons, adults, and elders;
either as individuals or as a group.
Participant characteristics may include but are not
limited to: age and stage of development, coping
strategies,
culture,
disability,
experience
and
knowledge, individual or group history, gender, group
roles and dynamics, health status, language, sexual
orientation, economic status, spirituality.
Social service worker is used as a term to refer to the
person seeking award of credit in this unit standard.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
7969 version 5
28-Jun-16
3 of 10
SOCIAL SERVICE WORK WITH ABUSE,
NEGLECT, AND VIOLENCE
Facilitate empowerment with people
who have experienced abuse, neglect,
or violence
Social service worker may include but is not limited to:
community workers, counsellors, kaiāwhina, social
workers, kaitautoko, youth workers, and others who
deliver social services, whether paid or unpaid.
Strategies may include individual, couple, family or
whānau, and group counselling; family meetings or
whānau hui; crisis intervention; social services
information or advice; referral to other services;
mobilisation of resources; community education or
recreation; community or social change; changes to
social policy or structures; development of a support
network; reconnection with participant's social
networks; and change strategies to enable participants
to live in a non-violent environment.
Structures include but are not limited to: cultural,
economic, ideological, or kin structures; political and
social agencies or organisations; other arrangements
that distribute or process resources, or maintain,
manage, govern, or organise society.
3
All communications are treated confidentially, except
where there is an ethical, legal, or organisational duty
on the social service worker to report abuse, neglect, or
violence. Participants are informed of the scope and
limits of confidentiality as defined by 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: the Children, Young Persons and Their
Families Act 1989, Domestic Violence Act 1995 Section
43, Health Act 1956 Sections 22B and 22C, Official
Information Act 1982, Privacy Act 1993, agency 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
Statutes relevant to this unit standard include but are
not limited to: Children, Young Persons and Their
Families Act 1989, Domestic Violence Act 1995,
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
7969 version 5
28-Jun-16
4 of 10
SOCIAL SERVICE WORK WITH ABUSE,
NEGLECT, AND VIOLENCE
Facilitate empowerment with people
who have experienced abuse, neglect,
or violence
Domestic Violence (Programmes) Regulations 1996,
Guardianship Act 1968, Health Act 1956 Sections 22B
and 22C, Official Information Act 1982, Privacy Act
1993. People awarded this unit standard demonstrate
knowledge of the provisions of these statutes and
criteria relating to the reporting of abuse, neglect, and
violence, and care and protection measures, according
to their relevance to the assessment context.
5
People awarded credit in this unit standard demonstrate
competence in relation to one age group, with two
individuals or one group.
6
Resources related to abuse and neglect of children and
young persons - may include but are not limited to:
a
Children, Young Persons and Their Families
Service.
1998.
Breaking the cycle: an
interagency guide to child abuse. Wellington:
Children, Young Persons and Their Families
Service.
b
Risk Management Project, Children, Young
Persons and Their Families Service.
1997.
Recognition of child abuse and neglect Tirohanga tukino tamariki. Wellington: Children,
Young Persons and Their Families Service.
7
Resources related to the Domestic Violence Act 1995
and Domestic Violence (Programmes) Regulations
1996:
a
Department for Courts. July 1999. Individual
provider guidelines for individuals wishing to
provide domestic violence programmes for adult
protected persons. Wellington: Department for
Courts.
b
Department for Courts. July 1999. Individual
provider guidelines for individuals wishing to
provide domestic violence programmes for
children. Wellington: Department for Courts.
c
Department for Courts. July 1999. Individual
provider guidelines for individuals wishing to
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
7969 version 5
28-Jun-16
5 of 10
SOCIAL SERVICE WORK WITH ABUSE,
NEGLECT, AND VIOLENCE
Facilitate empowerment with people
who have experienced abuse, neglect,
or violence
provide domestic violence programmes for
respondents. Wellington: Department for Courts.
8
Resources related to elder abuse and neglect - may
include but are not limited to:
a
Age Concern New Zealand Inc. 1992. Promoting
the rights and well-being of older people and
those who care for them: a resource kit about
elder abuse and neglect.
Wellington: Age
Concern New Zealand Inc.
b
Age Concern New Zealand Inc. 1999. Age
Concern elder abuse and neglect services: a
report of statistics and service developments
covering the three years from July 1996 to June
1999. Wellington: Age Concern New Zealand Inc.
c
Age Concern New Zealand Inc. 1999 (2nd Ed).
Elder abuse and neglect: a handbook for those
working with older people.
Wellington: Age
Concern New Zealand Inc.
9
It is a principle of safe practice in working with abuse,
neglect, and violence that social service workers at all
levels of competence participate in professional
supervision (sometimes referred to as clinical
supervision).
People awarded credit in this unit
standard demonstrate consistent use of professional
supervision as part of safe practice.
10
In carrying out all elements of this unit standard, actions
are documented according to service provider
standards. Service provider standards include but are
not limited to: service provider strategic plans, kaupapa,
governing legislation, staff manuals, service provider
protocols.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
7969 version 5
28-Jun-16
6 of 10
SOCIAL SERVICE WORK WITH ABUSE,
NEGLECT, AND VIOLENCE
Facilitate empowerment with people
who have experienced abuse, neglect,
or violence
Elements and Performance Criteria
element 1
Respond to participants who have experienced abuse, neglect, or violence.
performance criteria
1.1
Cultural concepts used to respond are appropriate to the participants and their
family or whānau.
Range:
cultural concepts - Māori, one Tauiwi culture.
1.2
Responses establish and sustain kawa or protocols according to agreement
with the participants.
1.3
Responses establish an environment that attends to the characteristics of the
participants.
1.4
Responses are through methods of interaction that positively acknowledge
participant needs.
Range:
1.5
needs - needs to be respected, believed, affirmed and supported;
needs for physical comfort, safety, privacy, and security; need to
be in a family or safe collective group.
Responses are through the use of interpersonal skills that acknowledge
participant characteristics and verbal and non-verbal communications.
Range:
interpersonal skills - attending, listening, following, clarifying,
encouraging, discussion, questioning, paraphrasing, reflection of
feeling and content, summarising.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
7969 version 5
28-Jun-16
7 of 10
SOCIAL SERVICE WORK WITH ABUSE,
NEGLECT, AND VIOLENCE
Facilitate empowerment with people
who have experienced abuse, neglect,
or violence
element 2
Facilitate identification of the consequences of abuse, neglect, or violence for participants.
performance criteria
2.1
Facilitation enables identification of the consequences of abuse, neglect, or
violence according to consultation with the participants.
2.2
Facilitation enables identification of the history and consequences of abuse,
neglect, or violence according to available sources of information.
Range:
2.3
available sources of information - participant's personal history or
group history; oral accounts; personal interviews; statistics; written
sources;
history and consequences of abuse, neglect, or violence may
include but are not limited to - abuse, neglect, or violence by
participants; alcohol and drug issues; attempted suicide or self
harm; criminal offending; dependency; economic status and
poverty; educational attainment and opportunities; educational and
other social deprivation; housing and homelessness; physical
and/or mental health and ill-health; prejudice and discrimination;
relationship issues; sexuality and sexual orientation issues; social
displacement; spiritual or religious issues; trauma; trust issues;
unemployment.
Evidence is required related to three of history and consequences.
The history and consequences of abuse, neglect, or violence are verified
according to consultation with the participants.
element 3
Facilitate planning of strategies for participant empowerment in abuse, neglect, and
violence situations.
performance criteria
3.1
Facilitation is conducted according to participant characteristics and the social
service worker's role and function.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
7969 version 5
28-Jun-16
8 of 10
SOCIAL SERVICE WORK WITH ABUSE,
NEGLECT, AND VIOLENCE
Facilitate empowerment with people
who have experienced abuse, neglect,
or violence
3.2
Facilitation of planning of strategies is linked to the verified consequences of
abuse, neglect, or violence.
3.3
Facilitation is through methods that encourage self determination of the
participants and discourage dependency by them on the social service worker
or social service provider.
3.4
Facilitation ensures that planned strategies are within parameters established
according to consultation with the participants.
Range:
parameters may include but are not limited to - characteristics of
the participants; characteristics of the people who will implement
the strategies; objectives for change; potential for effectiveness in
achieving objectives; nature of the abuse, neglect, or violence;
consequences of the abuse, neglect, or violence.
Evidence is required of four parameters.
3.5
Facilitation ensures that the planned strategies focus on the consequences of
abuse, neglect, or violence and are appropriate to attainment or restoration of
self determination of the participants.
3.6
Facilitation addresses the development of essential aspects of the plan.
Range:
essential aspects of the plan may include but are not limited to objectives; identification of resources that are available to meet
objectives; time frame consistent with the use of available
resources
to
achieve
objectives;
responsibilities
and
accountabilities of people who will be involved in implementing the
plan; contingencies; procedures to be followed in relation to
contingencies; reality testing of planned strategies against
objectives; available resources; structural targets of the strategies;
methods for evaluating progress towards achieving the objectives.
Evidence is required of four essential aspects.
element 4
Facilitate implementation of the plan for participant empowerment in abuse, neglect, and
violence situations.
performance criteria
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
7969 version 5
28-Jun-16
9 of 10
SOCIAL SERVICE WORK WITH ABUSE,
NEGLECT, AND VIOLENCE
Facilitate empowerment with people
who have experienced abuse, neglect,
or violence
4.1
Facilitation of the plan has the safety and wellbeing of participants as the first
and paramount consideration.
4.2
Facilitation is conducted according to the social service worker's part in the
plan.
4.3
Any problems encountered in implementation of the plan are responded to in
accordance with the provisions in the plan for contingencies.
element 5
Facilitate evaluation of implementation of the plan for participant empowerment in abuse,
neglect, and violence situations.
performance criteria
5.1
Facilitation of evaluation assists participants to evaluate progress in ensuring
their safety and wellbeing and attainment or restoration of power and control
over their own lives.
5.2
Facilitation of evaluation uses methods that measure outcomes against planned
objectives.
5.3
Facilitation assists participants to review the plan, identify further options, and
amend the plan as necessary, according to the outcomes of the evaluation.
element 6
Effect closure of implementation of the plan for participant empowerment in abuse,
neglect, and violence situations.
performance criteria
6.1
Closure has the safety and wellbeing of participants as the first and paramount
consideration.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
7969 version 5
28-Jun-16
10 of 10
SOCIAL SERVICE WORK WITH ABUSE,
NEGLECT, AND VIOLENCE
Facilitate empowerment with people
who have experienced abuse, neglect,
or violence
6.2
Closure of involvement of the social service worker and social service provider
is established according to information and advice obtained from participants,
and completion of the social service worker's part in the plan.
6.3
The closure process identifies relevant issues for future involvement of
participants with the social service worker or social service provider.
Range:
6.4
relevant issues - factors that may lead to resumption of contact;
future roles, functions and services available from the social
service worker and social service provider; means of reestablishing contact with the social service worker and social
service provider; other sources of referral.
Closure of the assessment is effected according to the established kawa and
protocols.
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