D85H 04 (HSC412)
Ensure individuals and groups are supported appropriately
when experiencing significant life events and transitions (RM2)
Elements of competence
HSC412.1
HSC412.2
Design and implement a service which addresses the needs of individuals
experiencing significant life events
Ensure the service responds effectively to individuals experiencing major
life changes or losses
About this Unit
This unit is related to the competence in establishing and maintaining a service which
responds to the needs of individuals and groups, at times of significant life events, loss and
bereavement. The significant events might be those linked to developmental stages such as
sensory loss or onset of dementia. It may also be related to individual life choices such as a
decision to marry, or family upheaval.
The unit is for you if you are a manager with responsibility for:
 Delivering a service at times of significant loss and change
 The performance of workers delivering a service at times of significant loss and
change
Scope
This Unit does not contain scope, however it does contain range. Please see evidence
requirements for details of range.
Principles of good practice
The first element design and implement a service which addresses the needs of clients
experiencing significant life events, relates to the design and delivery of services which are
sensitive and responsive to the impact of significant live events and enable clients to come to
terms with change and loss. Significant life events may be linked to a stage in the life cycle
(e.g. making a choice to marry or begin a sexual relationship) or to a specific trauma or loss
experienced by an individual client at a particular time (e.g. coping with sensory loss or
disability, coping with changes related to complex health needs, death of another client in a
residential setting, illness, injury). For some the issues around placement, such as entering,
moving or leaving care, can also give rise to extreme feelings and reactions and a need for
positive strategies to cope with these.
The second element ensure the service responds effectively to individuals experiencing major
life changes or losses, relates to the supervision and management of service systems,
structures and procedures to ensure that they respond to the particular needs of the service
users in their setting, whether for children, young people, adults or older people. It reflects
the need for close monitoring for staff and strategies, with approaches being evaluated for
effectiveness. Taking account of the wide range of life changes, developments, traumas
which impact on individuals and their care and support needs requires planning and
awareness from managers. A clear understanding of individual and group behaviour in
response to severe stresses is essential to maximising staff and clients’ positive management
of self.
Evidence Requirements for the Unit
It is essential that you adhere to the Evidence Requirements for this Unit – please see
details overleaf.
Unit: D85H 04 (HSC412) Ensure individuals and groups are supported appropriately when experiencing significant life
events and transitions (RM2)
1
D85H 04 (HSC412)
Ensure individuals and groups are supported appropriately
when experiencing significant life events and transitions (RM2)
SPECIFIC EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS UNIT
Simulation:
 Simulation is NOT permitted for any part of this unit.
The following forms of evidence ARE mandatory:
 Direct Observation: Your assessor or an expert witness must observe you in real
work activities which will provide evidence for a significant amount of the
performance criteria for most of the elements in this unit. For example, your
assessor might be present at a meeting where you are negotiating funding for
admission for an individual, or where you are presenting a proposal to senior
management for the development of a service.
 Reflective Account/professional discussion: You should describe your actions in
a particular situation and explain why you did things. For example, you could
prepare an analysis of your proposal in which you detail the process of how you
planned to meet the needs of the individual, the support you offered them, the
policies procedures and legislation you took account of, who you negotiated with,
the outcome(s) of the process and a review of your learning based on the
experience.
Competence of performance and knowledge could also be demonstrated using a
variety of evidence from the following:
 Questioning/professional discussion: May be used to provide evidence of
knowledge, legislation, policies and procedures which cannot be fully evidenced
through direct observation or reflective accounts. In addition the assessor/expert
witness may also ask questions to clarify aspects of your practice.
 Expert Witness: A designated expert witness may provide direct observation of
practice, questioning, professional discussion and feedback on reflective accounts.
 Witness Testimony: Can be a confirmation or authentication of the activities
described in your evidence which your assessor has not seen. This could be
provided by a work colleague, an individual or other key person.
 Products: These can be any record that you would use within your normal role e.g.
minutes of staff meetings, review meetings, care plans, records and reports. You
need not put confidential records in your portfolio, they can remain where they are
normally stored and be checked by your assessor and internal verifier. If you do
include them in your portfolio all names and identifying information must be
removed to ensure confidentiality.
These may also be assignments/projects: You may have already completed an
assignment or project for a formally assessed course of study and this may provide
evidence of knowledge and understanding of legislation, policy and procedures.
GENERAL GUIDANCE




Prior to commencing this unit you must agree and complete an assessment plan
with your assessor which details the assessment methods you will be using, and the
tasks you will be undertaking to demonstrate your competence.
Evidence must be provided for ALL of the performance criteria ALL of the
knowledge and aspects of the range.
The evidence must reflect the policies and procedures of your workplace and be
linked to current legislation, values and the principles of best practice within the
Care Sector. This will include the National Service Standards for your areas of
work and the individuals you care for.
All evidence must relate to your own work practice.
Unit: D85H 04 (HSC412) Ensure individuals and groups are supported appropriately when experiencing significant life
events and transitions (RM2)
2
D85H 04 (HSC412)
Ensure individuals and groups are supported appropriately
when experiencing significant life events and transitions (RM2)
Range
Please note this unit includes Range and tracking of Range is required as follows:
Element 1:
Range 1 - You must show evidence of implementing a service which has been designed to
meet the needs of clients undergoing at least two significant life events
Range 2 - You must show evidence of utilising at least two learning opportunities to offer
staff learning linked to supporting clients undergoing significant life events
Range 3 - You must show evidence of utilising at least one specialist resource
1
a)
b)
c)
d)
2
a)
b)
c)
d)
3
a)
b)
c)
implement a service which has been designed to meet the needs of clients
undergoing significant life events linked to the following:
those associated with age and life stage
those specific to the particular client
those related to injury or illness or disability
those related to loss, change or bereavement
utilise the following learning opportunities to offer staff learning linked to
supporting clients undergoing significant life events:
induction
training
coaching
supervision and appraisal
utilise the following specialist resources:
health or social services
community
religious, spiritual or cultural
Element 2:
Range 1 - You must show evidence that in responding effectively to individuals experiencing
major life changes or losses the service includes all the range detailed.
Range 2 - You must show evidence of responding to at least one of the clients detailed in the
range.
Range 3 - You must show evidence of responding effectively at both the stages detailed in
the range.
Range 4 - You must show evidence of the way your communication with at least two of those
detailed in the range, supports an effective response:
Range 5 - You must show evidence that all of the forms of offering support are available to
your workers and others in the setting:
1
a)
b)
c)
2
a)
b)
3
a)
b)


in responding effectively to individuals experiencing major life changes or losses
the service should include the following:
direct care
administration
resources
respond to the following:
a client with a high level of participation in their own plan of care
a client with an indirect participation in their own plan of care (i.e. through
advocate, relative, friend)
respond effectively:
at the point of identification of significant life event
during reaction/adjustment stages and that the response considered how to:
maximise comfort
ensure privacy and dignity
Unit: D85H 04 (HSC412) Ensure individuals and groups are supported appropriately when experiencing significant life
events and transitions (RM2)
3
D85H 04 (HSC412)
4
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
5
a)
b)
c)
d)
Ensure individuals and groups are supported appropriately
when experiencing significant life events and transitions (RM2)
your communication should support an effective response to the following:
your workers
the client
the other clients
workers from other agencies
family members/carers/advocates
the following forms of offering support are available to your workers and others in
the setting:
practical
supervision
work based counselling
specialist counselling and advice
Unit: D85H 04 (HSC412) Ensure individuals and groups are supported appropriately when experiencing significant life
events and transitions (RM2)
4
D85H 04 (HSC412)
Ensure individuals and groups are supported appropriately
when experiencing significant life events and transitions (RM2)
KNOWLEDGE SPECIFICATION FOR THIS UNIT
Competent practice is a combination of the application of skills and knowledge informed by
values and ethics. This specification details the knowledge and understanding required to
carry out competent practice in the performance described in this Unit.
When using this specification it is important to read the knowledge requirements in
relation to expectations and requirements of your job role.
You need to provide evidence for ALL knowledge points listed below. There are a
variety of ways this can be achieved so it is essential that you read the ‘knowledge
evidence’ section of the Assessment Guidance.
You need to show that you know, understand and can apply in
practice:
Legislation and organisational policy and procedures
1
Legal and policy requirements relating to:
(a)
personal, legal, and financial affairs
(b)
provision of care and health services
2
Responsibilities for allowances, funds, property, decision making
generally.
3
Methods for ensuring all staff understand the boundaries of their
role, responsibilities and the agency policy on the management of
significant life events (e.g. induction, training, coaching, etc).
4
Legal and policy requirements relating to the requirements for
storing, giving, and receiving medicines.
Theory and practice
5
An understanding of the general life stages, health needs, and
changes associated with the client group in receipt of the service (eg
adolescence, sensory loss, learning disability, drug and alcohol
problems, mental health, dementia, palliative care).
6
The impact of individual’s experience of change and loss on others
in the setting or social network.
7
The importance of integrating physical, practical, psychological,
cultural and spiritual aspects of care.
8
The availability of support systems for individuals experiencing
specific kinds of change or loss – e.g. those associated with the
needs of those with particular disabilities, carers or cultural
groupings, addictions, offending behaviours, school or employment
difficulties, etc.
9
Sources of support and services for service users’ particular needs,
health, nursing, advice and guidance, psychological, spiritual,
cultural.
10 Knowledge and sources of resources, medical, financial, equipment
accessible and relevant to circumstances.
11 How to design recording and storage and retrieval systems which
integrate the needs of staff providing the service and formal
reporting requirements12how and where to find appropriate
specialist resources and knowledge (journals, action research) and
remain abreast of findings that promote best practice.
12
How and where to find appropriate specialist resources and
knowledge (journals, action research) and remain abreast of
findings that promote best practice.
Enter Evidence
Numbers
Unit: D85H 04 (HSC412) Ensure individuals and groups are supported appropriately when experiencing significant life
events and transitions (RM2)
5
D85H 04 (HSC412)
Ensure individuals and groups are supported appropriately
when experiencing significant life events and transitions (RM2)
You need to show that you know, understand and can apply in
practice: (cont)
13
How to monitor, maintain and improve decision making with
service users personal, legal and financial affairs and enable staff to
integrate practical and emotional aspects of care, ensuring that the
service users and carers are involved and consulted.
14 How the personal and work experience of staff can impact on their
performance in relation to the needs of service users in situations of
birth, change, loss, trauma.
15 The key issues in responding appropriately to particular
experiences, empathy, allowing service users to move at their own
pace, having space to adjust privacy and the opportunity to express
emotion in a safe environment.
16 The importance of sensitive and accurate recording for all those
involved in care.
17 Information relating to specific needs, understanding of conditions,
experience on coping with diverse life events.
18 Methods of managing staff rotas to maximise flexibility and
responsiveness to individual needs.
19 How to enable staff and peers to offer appropriate support for those
experiencing the variety of significant life events.
20 How to work collaboratively with specialist
practitioners/consultants.
21 Knowledge of individual and group behaviours when experiencing
distress.
Enter Evidence
Numbers
Unit: D85H 04 (HSC412) Ensure individuals and groups are supported appropriately when experiencing significant life
events and transitions (RM2)
6
D85H 04 (HSC412)
HSC412.1
Ensure individuals and groups are supported appropriately
when experiencing significant life events and transitions (RM2)
Design and implement a service which addresses the needs of individuals
experiencing significant life events
Performance criteria
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
DO
RA
EW
Q
P
WT
You ensure that organisational systems
and procedures are designed and
implemented to ensure the quality of the
service, relating to the support for
individuals experiencing significant life
events and meet local and national service
standards.
You ensure that systems and structures
consistently demonstrate acceptance for
cultural diversity, individual choice and
difference.
You ensure that staffing and skill levels
are sufficient to respond to the changing
needs of individuals who are experiencing
significant life events.
You provide all staff with learning
opportunities (including appropriate in
service training), which ensure their
ability to respond sensitively and
appropriately to individuals experiencing
significant life events.
You identify the need for specialist
resources, and ensure the policies and
procedures for joint work and making
referrals for support services are fully
implemented.
You develop and proactively maintain
relationships with specialist resources
frequently used by the service.
You take all practicable steps to identify
appropriate specialist resources and
knowledge, where the scope of services
available, is insufficient to meet an
identified need.
You ensure that policies, procedures and
methods for sharing information and
maintaining records are fully implemented
throughout the service.
You ensure that the emotional impact on
staff and others in the setting, from
individuals experiencing significant loss
or change, is recognised, and systems for
providing support and counselling are
valued and used throughout the service.
DO = Direct Observation
EW = Expert Witness
RA = Reflective Account
P = Product (Work)
Q = Questions
WT = Witness Testimony
Unit: D85H 04 (HSC412) Ensure individuals and groups are supported appropriately when experiencing significant life
events and transitions (RM2)
7
D85H 04 (HSC412)
HSC412.2
Ensure individuals and groups are supported appropriately
when experiencing significant life events and transitions (RM2)
Ensure the service responds effectively to individuals experiencing major
life changes or losses
Performance criteria
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
DO
RA
EW
Q
P
WT
Your organisational systems and
procedures respond to the particular needs
of those experiencing major changes,
losses or traumas associated with their life
stage, or to those of their of significant
others.
You ensure that staff accept and respect
the emotional expression associated with
life changes and crises, and the need for
working through issues over time
You plan for staff interventions and
devise a strategy that takes account of
existing skills, key worker relationships
and an assessment of the service users
strengths and needs for emotional
support.
You ensure that staffing levels and skill
mix respond flexibly to additional
workload in respect of individualised
needs.
You ensure that the physical environment
and routines are adapted in response to
temporary or longer term requirements for
care.
You ensure the involvement of significant
others, and promote a multidisciplinary
approach to achieve best outcomes for
each service user.
You ensure administrative arrangements
for any legal, financial or control of
medicine issues, are in line with
requirements and current best practice in
care or nursing.
You ensure that the service operates in a
manner which encourages, empowers and
enables service users and carers to
participate fully in the plans for care and
any subsequent arrangements.
You ensure that communications systems
are designed to promote open, sensitive
and appropriate communication.
You ensure that staff involved in
specialist care activities are able to
monitor emotional, behavioural or
physical changes, and refer to other
colleagues for consultation, or expert
advice.
Unit: D85H 04 (HSC412) Ensure individuals and groups are supported appropriately when experiencing significant life
events and transitions (RM2)
8
D85H 04 (HSC412)
HSC412.2
Ensure individuals and groups are supported appropriately
when experiencing significant life events and transitions (RM2)
Ensure the service responds effectively to individuals experiencing major
life changes or losses (cont)
Performance criteria
11
12
DO
RA
EW
Q
P
WT
You ensure that reporting and recording
systems are designed to safeguard the
service users and to meet national and
local service requirements.
You ensure that appropriate support
systems, for staff working with
emotionally challenging situations, are
available to help staff manage the impact
of their work, and that these are
effectively monitored and evaluated
through supervision.
DO = Direct Observation
EW = Expert Witness
RA = Reflective Account
P = Product (Work)
Q = Questions
WT = Witness Testimony
Unit: D85H 04 (HSC412) Ensure individuals and groups are supported appropriately when experiencing significant life
events and transitions (RM2)
9
D85H 04 (HSC412)
Ensure individuals and groups are supported appropriately
when experiencing significant life events and transitions (RM2)
To be completed by the Candidate
I SUBMIT THIS AS A COMPLETE UNIT
Candidate’s name: ……………………………………………
Candidate’s signature: ………………………………………..
Date: …………………………………………………………..
To be completed by the Assessor
It is a shared responsibility of both the candidate and assessor to claim evidence, however, it
is the responsibility of the assessor to ensure the accuracy/validity of each evidence claim and
make the final decision.
I CERTIFY THAT SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE HAS BEEN PRODUCED TO MEET
ALL THE ELEMENTS, PCS AND KNOWLEDGE OF THIS UNIT.
Assessor’s name: …………………………………………….
Assessor’s signature: ………………………………………....
Date: …………………………………………………………..
Assessor/Internal Verifier Feedback
To be completed by the Internal Verifier if applicable
This section only needs to be completed if the Unit is sampled by the Internal Verifier
Internal Verifier’s name: ……………………………………………
Internal Verifier’s signature: ………………………………………..
Date: ……………………………………..…………………………..
Unit: D85H 04 (HSC412) Ensure individuals and groups are supported appropriately when experiencing significant life
events and transitions (RM2)
10