Topic 2: Distinguish between private and public issues arising in community development work
Community workers participating within a community development framework provide support to groups within a community and facilitate action. To do this, you need to have well-developed communication and interpersonal skills. You need to work with groups and organisations within the community, as well as have the ability to connect with individuals to encourage them to tell their stories.
Workers must be able to help individuals determine which of their concerns are private and which are public issues. Some people may not realise that issues that they consider to be personal problems are concerns that other people in the community share. Individuals with private issues should be referred to appropriate services, while public issues may be best dealt with using a public or community development approach.
In this topic you will learn how to:
2A | Employ appropriate interpersonal skills to hear individual stories and distinguish between private and public issues |
2B | Identify the individual’s willingness to engage in a public process to bring about change and facilitate the move from private concern to public action |
2C | Provide appropriate referrals to support people to deal with personal issues |
2D | Ensure all work reflects and meets duty of care responsibilities |