This is a first Australian compilation in an within an entire State, Territory, addressing Standards for multi-faith pastoral care practitioners serving in diverse roles.
Much voluntary time has been provided by members of a Subcommittee, developing these draft standards. It has entailed surveying the local pastoral care landscape as well as developing draft standards in consultation with various interest groups, including representatives from the major hospitals in Canberra.
These standards provide valuable guidance for the way that pastoral care is provided by individual practitioners. It also provides a reference for best practice within institutions, as well as for the religious and faith bodies which encourage and sponsor the provisioning of pastoral care with chaplains and spiritual carers.
Standards of Practice are authoritative statements that describe broad responsibilities for which practitioners are accountable, “reflect the values and priorities of the profession,” and “provide direction for professional practice and a framework for the evaluation of practice.”
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The Council does not see these standards as being imposed, but rather to be used as a benchmark against which a best practice may be provided in all contexts; in public and private institutions and within religious bodies.
Establishing and adhering to Standards of Practice encourages good communication, recognition and referrals to pastoral care by others (e.g. doctors, nurses, social workers, and professionals from other disciplines) especially when working as peers in a team. It also raises the bar for the quality of care when we have commonly held measurable criteria regarding the skills required and expectations for personal performance and continuing education. This is important regardless of which faith group one is affiliated or whether one is a paid professional or a valued volunteer.
Standards describe a function, action, or process that is directed toward the a person to contribute to the shared goal(s) of the person and the organization team. For example, a Standard of Practice may require that there is a process for assessing the spiritual/religious needs of a person.
These Standards of Practice need to remain flexible, will likely require adjustments as organizational pastoral care continues to mature and as new situations and opportunities for pastoral care emerge in our Australian context.
The Council recognises the diverse characteristics and needs of pastoral care personnel in all contexts (not exclusively health care) and among all faith groups in this region. The majority of pastoral care practitioners in the ACT are trained volunteers.
Standards 11-13 focus on expectations for those with professional leadership responsibility.
TERMINOLOGY
· Best practice refers to a process that is deemed by practitioners and researchers to be more effective and efficient compared to other methods. They reflect a means of exceeding the minimal standard of practice.
· The term client encompasses the client and their situation, including family and staff.
· The term staff (e.g. staff care) involves all staff, volunteers, other professionals, and students in the organisation’s setting.
· The term spiritual/religious - we recognize there are some inherent differences in the two individual concepts but link them in this document for the sake of ease and inclusion.
WHO WAS INVOLVED AND WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR APPROVAL?
Submitted 25 May 2011 for review and discussion by the larger Standards, Accreditation and Training Subcommittee (SubSAT) of the ACT PCC after a number of sessions were conducted by a small “working group” comprised of Clair Hochstetler (Chair), Debra McCarthy, and Liz Porra.
The SubSAT includes those above plus Mary Waterford who consulted with the working group in one session, Eric McDonald, Pam Robertson, Elizabeth MacKinlay AM (with Judith Marston as Ms. MacKinlay’s substitute while on leave) and Kevin Teo (Council XO)
»Download - DRAFT "STANDARDS OF PRACTICE" [pdf file]
