This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

Required skills

making clear agreements with offenders about goals processes and outcomes

conducting interviews with offenders for specialist purposes

establishing a balance between being directive and maintaining offender responsibility and control

establishing a balance between being supportive and nonintrusive

checking and confirming information about offenders with colleagues

reporting to colleagues and team on information about the progress of offenders

operating as part of a complex case management team

developing responses that are in proportion to the events

providing leadership in the development of personal change plans

showing firm and flexible responses to positive and negative developments

giving honest and constructive feedback

maintaining a focus on personal responsibility

assessing needs and promoting change

Required knowledge

organisations policies procedures practices guidelines and standards about

contact with offenders

case management

programmed intervention

referral and specialist support

code of conduct

duty of care

confidentiality

freedom of information

reporting and offender files

use of resources

principles of case management as a behaviour change strategy

theories of human behaviour including

offending behaviour

antisocial behaviour

behaviour control

addictive behaviour

mental health conditions

peer pressure and control

suicide and selfabuse

role of cultural values in determining behaviour and relationships

principles of specialist communication such as

interviewing including motivational interviewing

negotiation

mediation

counselling

report presentation

crosscultural communication

sources of information including

offender information management system

internal recording and reporting system

specialist services

justice information

key people including offender and family colleagues and community support services

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

Overview of assessment

This unit should be assessed in conjunction with competencies covering offender assessment risk assessment offender case management and intervention programs

Evidence for assessment must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments

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

In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria look for evidence that confirms

the knowledge requirements of this unit

the skill requirements of this unit

application of employability skills as they relate to this unit

ability to assist offenders to change behaviour in a range of two or more contexts or occasions over time

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Valid assessment of this unit requires

a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered by an individual responsible for assisting behaviour change with an offender as part of a coordinated team including coping with difficulties irregularities and changes to routine

copies of legislation policies procedures and guidelines relating to assisting offenders to change behaviour

access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

observation of performance in routine workplace activities within a range of agreed responsibilities and in various work locations

written andor oral questioning to assess knowledge and understanding

completion of workplace documents and reports produced as part of routine work activities

thirdparty reports from experienced practitioners

completion of performance feedback from supervisors and colleagues

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands and any identified special needs of the candidate including language and literacy implications and cultural factors that may affect responses to the questions

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge

Type of contact and negotiation with offenders will depend on work roles and responsibilities and could include:

Nature of the intervention plans will depend on the organisation's offender management policies, the focus of the organisation's programs and the resources available and may include:

Nature of the personal goals will depend on the offender management objectives and strategies of the organisation and the programs operating in the organisation and could include addressing: