Assessor Resource

PSPCRT416A
Provide support to self-represented litigants

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit applies to those court staff providing appropriate levels of advice or support to self-represented litigants to ensure procedural fairness.

This unit covers the ability to support and assist self-represented litigants. It involves identifying the specific needs of the self-represented litigant and delivering appropriate support, assistance and referral according to organisational policy, protocols and procedures.

In practice, it requires managing the provision of services in the context of the requirements of procedural fairness and the principles of impartiality and independence of the court.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

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

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



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.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

gather relevant information through:

interviewing clients and other relevant persons

identifying, accessing and assessing relevant documentation

identify client needs and address queries and concerns

explain scope and limitations of personal responsibilities to clients

provide information on self-representation and appropriate referrals for further advice

provide appropriate assistance to self-representing litigants in preparation for and during proceedings

comply with information sharing and privacy protocols

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated by informing, supporting and assisting self-representing clients in a range of settings over time.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must comply with:

applicable regulations and codes

workplace procedures and protocols.

Access may be required to:

a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practices and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when interacting with and supporting a self-represented litigant

organisational procedures, policy and protocols relating to self-represented litigants

scenarios and/or case studies to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when supporting a self-represented litigant

relevant systems and resources relating to court practices and procedures, specifically ADR processes

Guidance information for assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

oral questioning about legal processes, types of information and documentation that should be gathered

observation of the candidate assisting self-representing litigants in a range of contexts to ensure achievement of the unit outcomes

feedback from peers and/or supervisor that the candidate consistently applies relevant workplace procedures

review of records completed by candidate or reports of performance

In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency that are difficult to assess directly. Questioning techniques should suit the language and literacy levels of the candidate.

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.

Required skills

initiative and enterprise skills to apply legislation, rules, regulations and codes of practice

communication and interpersonal skills to:

provide explanations to others

promote understanding of legislation, regulations, organisational procedures and codes of practice

identify client needs, provide assistance, and encourage client-initiated activity in relation to alternative dispute-resolution (ADR) processes

negotiation and conflict resolution skills in relation to ADR processes

facilitation skills in relation to ADR processes

Required knowledge

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

various groups represented within the local community (e.g. cultural, religious, language, sexual identity, age and disability) and an understanding of the issues that arise when working with those groups

appropriate range of referral sources and associated protocols

specific limitations of work role, responsibility and professional abilities

distinction between legal and procedural information

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Interpersonal skills may include:

using appropriate means for communicating with people:

with disabilities

for whom English is not the first language

of different age, religious, gender and sexual identity groups

using non-judgemental communication techniques

demonstrating cultural and sub-cultural awareness and sensitivity

demonstrating empathy

using appropriate body language

reflecting, summarising and paraphrasing

asking open-ended questions

actively listening

Mechanisms may include:

interviews with clients, family, significant others and carers

applications and other forms

case documentation

using specialist communicators

client verbal or written consent to contact relevant others

information from professionals, including medical reports

information from service providers

previous file records

Appropriate persons may include:

organisational management, colleagues, supervisor, and team members

various community groups representing cultural, sub-cultural, religious, social, ethnic, gender, sexual identity and age groupings within the community

government representatives and service providers

police

family members, friends and care givers

specialist support services for people with specific needs

Limitations on sharing information may include:

government representatives and service providers

police

family members, friends and care givers

other parties to proceedings

presiding officers

Referrals may include:

legal aid organisations

specialist workplace staff or units

community legal centres

welfare and support agencies

government departments

Legal proceedings may include:

initiating applications

witness appearances

defending a matter

applications for compensation

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
Use appropriate interpersonal skills to accurately identify client needs. 
Employ mechanisms to ensure that all relevant client information is collected. 
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 to best meet client needs. 
Observe protocols and limitations on sharing of information provided by client. 
Provide information and options to self-represented litigant in a culturally appropriate and respectful manner. 
Apply a working knowledge of specific organisational policies and procedures to provide information and options. 
Identify and communicate limitations in addressing client needs to the client. 
Provide appropriate referrals according to organisational policy and procedures, including making necessary and appropriate arrangements according to client needs. 
Provide assistance according to legislation, regulations and organisational policy and procedures. 
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 where required, within area of responsibility and with authority and limits imposed by government. 
Use appropriate interpersonal skills to facilitate communication between self-represented litigants and other parties. 
Use negotiation and conflict-resolution techniques to resolve difficult situations and make referrals according to organisational policy and procedures. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PSPCRT416A - 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

PSPCRT416A - 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: