SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Apply palliative care principles when assisting and supporting the child and family to manage life threatening disease 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
117484  Apply palliative care principles when assisting and supporting the child and family to manage life threatening disease 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Ancillary Health Care 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services Rehabilitative Health/Services 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  12 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will enable caregivers, working under the supervision of a suitably qualified person, to care for children whose disease is no longer responsive to curative treatment.

A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of all aspects of the definition of paediatric palliative care.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of all the possible role players involved in the provision of paediatric palliative care, and their respective roles.
  • Apply relevant ethical and legal principles in the provision of paediatric palliative care.
  • Assist in the effective management of total pain, in partnership with all members of the paediatric palliative care team.
  • Assist in the effective symptom management in partnership with all members of the paediatric palliative care team.
  • Assist in the management of the nutrition of a child
  • Assist in the provision of quality end-of-life care for patients and their families
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of grief and loss and the associated feelings. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation for this unit standard is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or areas of learning when starting to learn towards this unit standard:
  • Understand the relevance of ethical issues in community work and educate community members on rights and responsibilities
  • Assist the community to access services in accordance with their health related human rights ID No: 9827
  • Maintain and adapt oral communication ID No. 8962
  • Assist and Support the Client and Family to plan and implement Home Based Care ID No: 117488 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • Care will take place under the mentorship and supervision of a qualified health worker with relevant experience and includes communication with the palliative care team.
  • Care will be provided in a variety of settings, i.e. home, community or institutions. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of paediatric palliative care. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The different role players in the palliative care team are identified in terms of their respective roles and contribution to the treatment plan. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The team includes the health workers, the child and the family
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The different forms of support provided are described in terms of who may give the support and when. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Paediatric palliative care principles are explained in accordance with the WHO definition of palliative care for children in terms that are understood by the client and the family. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The ways in which death of children is viewed are explained in terms of cultural and religious beliefs. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Apply relevant ethical and legal principles in the provision of paediatric palliative care. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Communication is clear and concise and enhances teamwork in terms of achieving optimal care for the child. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The practical application of paediatric palliative care principles is in accordance with the provision of the best possible quality of life for the particular situation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The relevant legislation regarding the rights of children in South Africa is explained in terms of palliative care principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The ethical issues related to the provision of paediatric palliative care are explained in terms of palliative care principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The ethical dilemmas that effect the management of children and adolescents with life limiting conditions are identified in terms of the palliative care context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Dilemmas include Euthanasia, the right to information, confidentiality, the right to treatment, feeding and hydration
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Team confidentiality is recognised and respected in accordance with accepted ethical and legal requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Assist in the effective management of total pain. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Total pain includes physical, social, spiritual and emotional pain. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Total pain is described in terms of the factors that cause and influence pain. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The characteristics of pain are described in terms of the factors influencing the relief of pain. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The source of pain is identified from information provided by the child regardless of the developmental level of the child. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The child's level of pain is assessed through the use of available scoring systems for pain in children. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Assist in the effective management of symptoms that affect the quality of life. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Symptoms include Gastro-intestinal, respiratory, dermatological and neurological symptoms. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The common symptoms affecting the quality of life in paediatric palliative care are recognised in terms of the effect and intervention. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Interventions include making appropriate referrals
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The management of these symptoms within the context of paediatric palliative care is described in terms of the caregiver's role. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Assist in the management of the nutrition of a child with life-threatening or advanced disease. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The nutritional needs of a child with advanced disease are explained in terms of maintaining comfort. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An appropriate nutritional plan for the child with advanced disease is drawn up in the context of family and community preferences and available resources. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The use of community feeding schemes and grants is explained in terms of access to relevant resources. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Feeding methods selected are appropriate to the needs of the child in preventing infections. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Feeding methods relate to using cup and spoon methods rather than bottles.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Assist in the provision of quality end-of-life care for patients and their families. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A child's concept of death is explained in terms of the age and developmental stage. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The process of death is explained in accordance with the complex emotions, anxieties, needs and questions of all concerned. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Ways of providing a suitable environment are explained in terms of the needs of the child and family to enhance the quality of life. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The dying process is identified in terms of adapting the palliative care principles to the needs of the child. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 7 
    Demonstrate an understanding of grief and loss and the associated feelings. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The needs of the bereaved are identified in terms of the ways of dealing with the feelings associated with the loss of a child. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Resources within the team and the community that could assist the bereaved are identified in terms of their specific needs. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Resources include financial, spiritual, emotional and support organisations
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The use of available resources is explained in terms of the service they offer. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Own feelings and experiences relating to loss and grief are identified in terms of monitoring own coping levels and potential action that may be taken. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The ability to take responsibility for the maintenance of self-health when working with children with advanced disease is demonstrated in terms of recognising potential need of support and accessing it. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    1. Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
    2. Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider by the ETQA.
    3. Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the HWSETA, according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate's performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems related to the physical, social, emotional and spiritual condition of the patient. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with the patient, family, care team and community. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively in the context of paediatric palliative care. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, organise, analyse and evaluate information about patients, families and the community. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively with patients, family members and members of the care team in order to facilitate the provision of paediatric palliative care. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively with regard to available equipment for the control of distressing symptoms. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems with regard to community and community structures, cultural sensitivity and spiritual sensitivity. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Site specific

    Learners must work in accordance with the protocols, procedures and policies of the relevant work environment:
  • Private Homes
  • Community facilities
  • Institutions 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  49131   Further Education and Training Certificate: Community Health Work  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2009-02-18  Was HW SETA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Elective  64697   Further Education and Training Certificate: Community Health Work  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  HW SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.