Assessor Resource

PSPCRT017
Provide support to self-represented litigants

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit describes the skills required to support and assist self-represented litigants. It involves identifying the specific needs of the self-represented litigant and delivering appropriate support, information and referral.

This unit applies to those working within the court system operating under procedures set by the court. Support must be provided within area of responsibility and with authority and limits imposed by the court.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to, particularly those set by the court.

Those undertaking this unit would generally work independently with occasional supervisory responsibilities. They would perform complex tasks in a range of familiar and unfamiliar contexts.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Identify client needs

1.1 Collect and access client information and identify client's needs.

1.2 Assess information for complexity, urgency, safety risks and eligibility for services.

1.3 Clarify problems raised by the client and seek assistance from appropriate persons to identify how best to meet client needs.

1.4 Share information provided by client while adhering to protocols and limitations.

2. Provide information and options

2.1 Identify and communicate to the client any limitations in addressing client needs.

2.2 Provide appropriate referrals, including making necessary and appropriate arrangements according to client needs.

3. Provide assistance

3.1 Provide assistance to access support services and alternative procedural options.

3.2 Provide assistance to complete and comply with procedural requirements, including initiating matters, orders, lodging documents and appearing in court.

3.3 Provide assistance to facilitate the case management of legal proceedings and the implementation of procedural modifications within area of responsibility and with authority and limits imposed by the court.

4. Facilitate communication

4.1 Use appropriate interpersonal skills to facilitate communication between self-represented litigants and other parties.

4.2 Resolve difficult situations using conflict-resolution techniques and make referrals.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

promoting and applying legislation, rules, regulations and codes of practice

providing explanations to others

identifying client needs, providing assistance and encouraging client-initiated activity in relation to alternative dispute-resolution (ADR) processes

providing information and options to self-represented litigant in a culturally appropriate and respectful manner

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

relevant legislation, regulations, organisational procedures and codes of practice in relation to court practices and procedures, specifically ADR processes

profiles of the general characteristics of the relevant self-represented litigant groups

understanding of groups represented within the community, and of the issues that might arise when working with these groups, according to demographics including at least one of:

culture

religion

language

sexual identity

age

disability

facilitation, negotiation and conflict resolution methods in relation to ADR processes

range of referral sources and associated protocols

limitations of work role, responsibility and professional abilities

distinction between legal and procedural information

Assessment of this unit requires a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the diverse conditions likely to be encountered when providing support to self-represented litigants.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Identify client needs

1.1 Collect and access client information and identify client's needs.

1.2 Assess information for complexity, urgency, safety risks and eligibility for services.

1.3 Clarify problems raised by the client and seek assistance from appropriate persons to identify how best to meet client needs.

1.4 Share information provided by client while adhering to protocols and limitations.

2. Provide information and options

2.1 Identify and communicate to the client any limitations in addressing client needs.

2.2 Provide appropriate referrals, including making necessary and appropriate arrangements according to client needs.

3. Provide assistance

3.1 Provide assistance to access support services and alternative procedural options.

3.2 Provide assistance to complete and comply with procedural requirements, including initiating matters, orders, lodging documents and appearing in court.

3.3 Provide assistance to facilitate the case management of legal proceedings and the implementation of procedural modifications within area of responsibility and with authority and limits imposed by the court.

4. Facilitate communication

4.1 Use appropriate interpersonal skills to facilitate communication between self-represented litigants and other parties.

4.2 Resolve difficult situations using conflict-resolution techniques and make referrals.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

promoting and applying legislation, rules, regulations and codes of practice

providing explanations to others

identifying client needs, providing assistance and encouraging client-initiated activity in relation to alternative dispute-resolution (ADR) processes

providing information and options to self-represented litigant in a culturally appropriate and respectful manner

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

relevant legislation, regulations, organisational procedures and codes of practice in relation to court practices and procedures, specifically ADR processes

profiles of the general characteristics of the relevant self-represented litigant groups

understanding of groups represented within the community, and of the issues that might arise when working with these groups, according to demographics including at least one of:

culture

religion

language

sexual identity

age

disability

facilitation, negotiation and conflict resolution methods in relation to ADR processes

range of referral sources and associated protocols

limitations of work role, responsibility and professional abilities

distinction between legal and procedural information

Assessment of this unit requires a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the diverse conditions likely to be encountered when providing support to self-represented litigants.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Collect and access client information and identify client's needs. 
Assess information for complexity, urgency, safety risks and eligibility for services. 
Clarify problems raised by the client and seek assistance from appropriate persons to identify how best to meet client needs. 
Share information provided by client while adhering to protocols and limitations. 
Identify and communicate to the client any limitations in addressing client needs. 
Provide appropriate referrals, including making necessary and appropriate arrangements according to client needs. 
Provide assistance to access support services and alternative procedural options. 
Provide assistance to complete and comply with procedural requirements, including initiating matters, orders, lodging documents and appearing in court. 
Provide assistance to facilitate the case management of legal proceedings and the implementation of procedural modifications within area of responsibility and with authority and limits imposed by the court. 
Use appropriate interpersonal skills to facilitate communication between self-represented litigants and other parties. 
Resolve difficult situations using conflict-resolution techniques and make referrals. 
Collect and access client information and identify client's needs. 
Assess information for complexity, urgency, safety risks and eligibility for services. 
Clarify problems raised by the client and seek assistance from appropriate persons to identify how best to meet client needs. 
Share information provided by client while adhering to protocols and limitations. 
Identify and communicate to the client any limitations in addressing client needs. 
Provide appropriate referrals, including making necessary and appropriate arrangements according to client needs. 
Provide assistance to access support services and alternative procedural options. 
Provide assistance to complete and comply with procedural requirements, including initiating matters, orders, lodging documents and appearing in court. 
Provide assistance to facilitate the case management of legal proceedings and the implementation of procedural modifications within area of responsibility and with authority and limits imposed by the court. 
Use appropriate interpersonal skills to facilitate communication between self-represented litigants and other parties. 
Resolve difficult situations using conflict-resolution techniques and make referrals. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PSPCRT017 - Provide support to self-represented litigants
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

PSPCRT017 - Provide support to self-represented litigants

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: