Learning Topic 2 Follow the organisation’s policies and practices
This topic should provide you with the ability to identify your responsibilities as a community services worker and work within the boundaries and limitations of your role. You will learn to:
accept responsibility for your own actions;
seek agreement with the client, where possible, prior to providing services;
work within organisational policies, protocols and procedures;
contribute to the review and development of policies and protocols; and
work within position specifications and role responsibilities and seek clarification when you are unsure of responsibilities or instructions.
Section 2.5 Knowing your limits in your roles and responsibilities
The CSI can be a very stressful area in which to work.
We are often working with a high volume of clients with complex issues and within a context of inadequate resources and support. Given this, it is important to be clear and work within the limits of your role and responsibilities. This means not working many unpaid hours and taking on tasks which are outside your area of responsibility.
In the long run, it is far more effective to advocate for adequate resources than run around trying to do everything and burn yourself out in the process!
Always try to:
be mindful of your job description and focus your energy on completing tasks that are clearly defined as your responsibility;
seek advice and clarification with your supervisor where necessary;
adopt a team approach to completing complex tasks—two hands are better than one!
work within policies and procedures; and
use supervision as an opportunity to formally clarify your responsibilities and identify your training and support needs.
