This document outlines a draft NSW Mental Health Services Competency Framework that is being developed to provide a coordinated approach to developing the knowledge and skills of NSW public sector mental health professionals. It provides background on the framework's development, describes its key parts and format, and poses a series of consultation questions. The framework aims to enhance service provision across the lifespan from infant to older adults. It includes universal competencies, clinical competencies, and a population approach competency. Local consultation workshops and an online submission process are being used to gather input on the draft framework.

1. NSW Mental Health
Services Competency
Framework (Draft)
Statewide Consultation

2. Welcome and Overview
 History & Alignment
 Development and Approval
 Consultation Approach
 Framework Format
 Consultation Questions

3. History & Alignment
 No overarching national competency frameworks for the
Australian mental health workforce
 NSW CAMHS Competency Framework & the NSW Core
Competencies for SMHSOP Community Clinicians
 International Activates:
– NZ, Let’s get real: Real Skills for people working in MH
and addiction
– UK, the Capable Practitioner, the Sainsbury Centre
 Professional Competencies and Codes of Practice

4. Development and Approval
 The Framework has been developed by the Mental Health
Workforce Development Sub-Committee of the Mental
Health Program Council.
 The purpose of a Competency Framework is to provide a
coordinated approach to further developing the knowledge
and skills of the mental health workforce and to enhance
service provision.
 The Framework is intended for use by both new and
experienced NSW public sector mental health professionals
working in mental health services across the lifespan.

5. Consultation Approach
• Local Consultation Workshops in LHD’s and Specialty Networks
•Invitations letters seeking written submissions sent to LHD CE’s (CC
Mental Health Directors) and Key Stakeholders.
• Presentations to Committees and Groups to promote the
consultation and the Framework to additional stakeholders

6. Consultation Approach Cont.
 All consultation materials are available on the NSW Health
Website, including the Draft Framework and the Written
Submission Template
 The website allows for an open consultation process where
any staff member, consumer or carer can provide input.
 Consultation closes on the 28 November 2012.

7. Framework Format – Part 1 Overview
 Introduction
– Background
– Purpose
– Scope
– Alignment
– Format
 Guiding Principles
 Values and Attitudes
– Underpin the application of
knowledge & skills
 Mental Health Service Context
inc Life Stages
– Infant and Early Childhood (0 - 4 yrs)
– Child (5 - 11 yrs)
– Adolescent (12 - 17 yrs)
– Young Adulthood (18 - 25 yrs)
– Adult (26 - 40 yrs)
– Middle Years (41 - 64 yrs)
– Older People (65 - 84 yrs)
– Very Old People (85 yrs plus including
centenarians)

8. Part 2 - The Competencies
 Universal Competencies
1. Responsible, safe and ethical
practice
2. Working with clients, families
and carers in recovery-
focussed ways
3. Meeting diverse needs
4. Working with Aboriginal
people, families and
communities
5. Communication
6. Continuous quality
improvement
7. Partnership, collaboration and
integration
 Clinical Competencies
8. Intake
9. Assessment, formulation and
care planning
10. Interventions
11. Transfer of Care
 Population Approach
Competencies
12. Mental health promotion and
primary prevention

9. Part 3 – Implementation Guide &
Competency Review Tools
 Implementation guide
– Guidelines for individuals, managers, supervisors and
resource developers
– Target audience for the Framework
– Defines some of the possible uses
 Competency Review Form (CRF) (page 38)
 Competency Development Plan (CDP) (page 66)

10. Consultation Questions

11. Question 1
What is your overall impression of
the Framework?

12. Question 2
Do you have any general
suggestions for improvements to
the Framework?

13. Question 3
Does Section 4 (Context Section)
adequately describe the
developmental contexts for
working across age groups?

14. Question 4
Are the Competencies targeted at
the right level to reflect actual
practice?

15. Question 5
Does the framework adequately
describe sub-specialty practice,
i.e. CAMHS and SMHSOP?

16. Question 6
Is there anything missing that
should be included within the
Competencies?

17. Question 7
Do you anticipate the
Implementation Tools will be
useful? (Part 3 of the Framework)
Do you suggest any changes?

18. Question 8
Do you have any suggestions that
would assist with implementing
the framework?

19. Question 9
What do you see as the greatest
barriers to implementing the
framework?

20. Question 10
Are there any other comments?

21. Where to from here?
 Thank you for your input
 Written Submissions
 Next step
 For any further information on the process please contact
Amy Shearden on 02 9424 5834 or email
ashea@doh.health.nsw.gov.au.