Foundation skills is the term used to cover the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) five core skills, plus employability skills as described in the Core Skills for Work framework.
The ACSF is a national framework that provides a consistent, national approach to identifying the language, literacy and numeracy skills required for work. These Foundation skills are assessed throughout your learning and the completion of each Unit of Competency. Each learner must demonstrate a certain level of skill in these areas to achieve competency in each Unit within the qualification. Foundation skill requirements for working in Community and Health services include:
Learning
- skills to follow communication protocols;
- work with legal and ethical considerations
- understand the organisation’s structure and different models used to support client services
Reading
- skills to read and interpret documents relating to work role
- follow organisation policies and procedures
Writing
- skills to complete reports to organisation standards, using clear, accurate and objective language
- write emails
Oral communicating
- skills to clearly communicate service information
- listen, clarify and respond to requests from colleagues and clients
- use appropriate industry terminology
- diffuse and resolve conflict
- report issues and discuss difficulties
- seek feedback about areas requiring skill and knowledge development
- use communication techniques appropriate to situations
Numeracy
- interpret signs and symbols
- estimate eights for safe manual handling
- interpret charts
- interpret medication dosages
- interpret and address dehydration and malnutrition
Employability skills required for working in Community and Health services include:
Teamwork
- ability to work effectively with others
Problem solving
- ability to identify early signs of complicated or difficult situations
Initiative and enterprise
- ability to promote and model changes to improve work practice and procedures
Planning and organising
- ability to work within timeframes
Self management
- ability to follow confidentiality protocols
- exchange communication in a timely manner
Technology skills
- ability to complete workplace documents and utilise digital media for work