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

Required skills

negotiating agreement with a group

establishing and maintaining group rules and selfmanagement

establishing and maintaining the connection between the purpose of the group and the objectives of the organisation

maintaining a friendly and professional relationship with formal and informal groups

maintaining the purpose focus and objectives of the group

using a range of communication techniques to achieve cooperative participation and manage conflict

determining the resources needed for general and specific group activities

negotiating the allocation of resources with your organisation

advocating on behalf of the group

negotiating the availability of resources outside your organisation

using strategies to maintain the focus of the group in its activities

reviewing and evaluating the achievements of the group against its purpose

reporting on the group to establish and confirm its relationship to the objectives of the organisation

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 with awareness of environmental andor sustainable practices

theories of human behaviour including

offending behaviour

behaviour and conflict management

mental health conditions

peer pressure and control

suicide and selfabuse

role of cultural values in determining behaviour and relationships

principles of communication such as

interviewing

report presentation

crosscultural interaction

giving constructive feedback

interactive communication

use of nonverbal cues such as body language

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

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 support group activities at both formal and informal levels 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 supporting group work as part of a coordinated team including coping with difficulties irregularities and changes to routine

copies of legislation policies procedures and guidelines relating to supporting group activities

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

Purpose of the group will depend on offender programs and activities supported by the organisation and could include:

The nature of individual and group goals will depend on offender management strategies and could include addressing:

Evidence will be given of applying the following resources: