CHCINF407C: Meet information needs of the community

Descriptor: This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to work with the community and individuals to identify and address their information needs
Employability Skills: This unit contains Employability Skills
Application: This unit may apply to work in a range of community service contexts

Element	Performance Criteria
Elements define the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.	The Performance Criteria specify the level of performance required to demonstrate achievement of the Element. Terms in italics are elaborated in the Range Statement.
1. Identify information requirements	1.1 Employ appropriate mechanisms to identify information requirements of the community and specific groups 1.2 Collect and maintain current, accurate and comprehensive information on a range of relevant issues/services for the group to ensure information needs will be met 1.3 Identify gaps or inadequacies in the information base and implement strategies to address them
2. Address information requirements	2.1 Where possible, access existing information sources to meet individual/community needs 2.2 Routinely evaluate adequacy of existing information sources and materials to meet needs 2.3 Where new information materials need to be developed, explore options in consultation with users and stakeholders 2.4 In planning development of new information/ materials, address all aspects of implementation including: content, structure and relevance financial, technological and staffing resourcing staff training needs 2.5 Implement strategies to continuously improve effectiveness of information materials and systems

Element

Performance Criteria

Elements define the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

The Performance Criteria specify the level of performance required to demonstrate achievement of the Element. Terms in italics are elaborated in the Range Statement.

1. Identify information requirements

1.1 Employ appropriate mechanisms to identify information requirements of the community and specific groups
1.2 Collect and maintain current, accurate and comprehensive information on a range of relevant issues/services for the group to ensure information needs will be met
1.3 Identify gaps or inadequacies in the information base and implement strategies to address them

2. Address information requirements

2.1 Where possible, access existing information sources to meet individual/community needs
2.2 Routinely evaluate adequacy of existing information sources and materials to meet needs
2.3 Where new information materials need to be developed, explore options in consultation with users and stakeholders
2.4 In planning development of new information/ materials, address all aspects of implementation including:

content, structure and relevance
financial, technological and staffing resourcing
staff training needs

2.5 Implement strategies to continuously improve effectiveness of information materials and systems

Required Skills And Knowledge

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Essential knowledge:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate knowledge of:

A range of systems that can be used to obtain information
A range of systems that can be used to store and record information

The candidate must also be able to demonstrate relevant knowledge required to effectively perform task skills; task management skills; contingency management skills and job/role environment skills as outlined in elements and performance criteria, such as knowledge of:

Basic project management
Preparation, editing, publishing materials/information

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Assess information needs of community and/or specific group, analyse current capacity for them to be met and determine requirements for new materials
Use and maintain a range of information storage systems

In addition, the candidate must be able to demonstrate relevant task skills; task management skills; contingency management skills and job/role environment skills
These include the ability to:

Demonstrate application of skills in:
- literacy adequate to handle and prepare complex written information
- use of relevant information system

Range Statement

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Community may include:	Current users of the organisation's services Users referred by other organisations New target groups A geographic region Special interest groups Students and researchers Workers in other organisations
Information systems may refer to:	Informal and formal arrangements with government departments and non government organisations to obtain information Subscriptions to publications Material produced and provided by and about other organisations and services Media Electronic networking The range of different systems across sectors
Financial and technological resources required for system may include:	Directories and databases, manual and electronic Manual and computerised filing software and hardware Systems operated within the organisation Systems operating in other organisations

Evidence Guide

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.