Assessor information
This information is designed to help assessors to use this guide when preparing for and conducting assessments. It may also be helpful to participants in the assessment process who are not assessors and who want to understand more about the role of the assessor.
The assessor role
An assessor is a person who conducts assessments against units of competency and qualifications in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system. Assessors are responsible for:
- explaining the assessment process to the assessee
- discussing evidence requirements with the assessee
- conducting the assessment
- advising on credentials to be issued.
The Community Services Training Package contains Assessment Guidelines describing assessor requirements including amandatory qualifications and recommended industry knowledge. To find out more about the Community Services Training Package, contact the Human Services Training Advisory Council on 08 8981 2550 or email at admin@hstac.com.au
As a minimum, the assessor must have the following units of competency from the Training Package for Assessment and Workplace Training, or must have demonstrated equivalent competencies:
- TAAASS401C: Plan and organise assessment
- TAAASS402C: Assess competence
- TAAASS404C: Participate in assessment validation
and the relevant vocational competencies, at least to the level being assessed.
Some children's services workplaces have qualified assessors on staff. For more information on how to become a qualified workplace assessor, contact the Human Services Training Advisory Council on 08 8981 2550 or email at admin@hstac.com.au
Registered Training Organisations (RTOs)
To conduct assessments against qualifications in children's services, the assessor must be engaged by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). A number of RTOs in the Northern Territory are approved to conduct assessments for children's services qualifications. Click here to see a list of RTOs.
When an assessor certifies that the assessee has the competencies required, the RTO gives the assessee a credential.
To see examples of children's services credentials, click on the following links:
Assessment panels
Assessment panels, sometimes called partnership arrangements, are often used in children's services workplaces. Assessment panels involve a qualified assessor working in collaboration with a technical expert and/or a workplace supervisor. A technical expert is someone who is qualified and experienced in the competencies being assessed.
Formal requirements for partnership arrangements in assessment are set out in the Assessment Guidelines section of the Community Services Training Package. To find out more about the Community Services Training Package, contact the Human Services Training Advisory Council on 08 8981 2550 or email at admin@hstac.com.au
Assessors using this guide
Assessors may wish to use the following children's services assessment information and tools contained in this guide.
| Link Title | Use For |
|---|---|
Recording assessments. Assessees can also use the form for their own self assessment. |
|
Explaining and discussing the assessment process with assessees. |
|
Undertaking assessments that involve assessment panels, and working with supervisors, co-workers or support persons. |
|
Explaining and discussing assessment scenarios with assessees and anyone else who may be involved. |