Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

CSCOFM302A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Protect the safety and welfare of Aboriginal and Torres Strait offenders

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency CSCOFM302A - Protect the safety and welfare of Aboriginal and Torres Strait offenders
Description This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to provide safe and responsible care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait offenders who are likely to be at risk of harm because of their experiences in the justice system.This unit replaces and is equivalent to CSCOFM005A Protect the safety and welfare of Aboriginal and Torres Strait offenders.
Employability Skills The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of employability skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit of competency is packaged, will assist in identifying employability skills requirements.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to correctional services staff working with offenders in prisons, secure custodial centres or within the community. With changes based on different organisation's needs, it can apply to workers in juvenile detention, immigration detention or other contexts where working with detained persons is part of the work role.Customisation will be required to accommodate the different work sites and defined work role contexts in which this unit will be applied.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable Not applicable
Competency Field Not applicable
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Reduce risks to Aboriginal and Torres Strait offenders.
  • Use a range of different interpersonal strategies to establish personal contact with the offender to build rapport and a professional relationship of trust and confidence.
  • Check the background of the offender for indicators of special needs and likely risks.
  • Use communication to ensure that the offender understands the conditions of court orders and the conditions of placement and offender services.
  • Complete reports, document all action and decisions, and report all concerns promptly to the relevant people.
  • Respond to concerns and incidents according to procedures and the degree of risk.
  • Ensure that the offender's environment is safe and healthy according to agreed standards and cultural requirements.
  • Supervise the offender's routine to monitor changes in mood and behaviour and potential risks.
  • Seek advice and support, including community and cultural support and the support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait staff, according to procedures and where needs are identified.
  • Refer the offender to specialist services or programs suitable for the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait people.
  • Promote and maintain the rights and responsibilities of offenders and their cultural identity.
       
Element: Respond to risk to Aboriginal and Torres Strait offenders.
  • Observe and note behaviour signs that may indicate change in mood or attitude and analyse them for indicators of risk and harm.
  • Record changes that may indicate concern clearly and accurately and report them promptly to relevant support service.
  • Confirm people with special needs or who might be vulnerable to risk, from a range of offender information and monitor them closely according to procedures.
  • Analyse any indications of risk or harm and respond to them according to the degree and nature of the risk and the circumstances of the offender.
  • Respond to incidents immediately according to procedures and in a manner designed to protect the safety and welfare of the people involved.
  • Give clear and reassuring information to offender to address anxiety and distress and to maintain the offender's understanding of what is happening.
  • Give clear, accurate and comprehensive information to team members for risk analysis.
  • Support investigations of risks and collaborative teamwork to ensure improvements in services and support and continuity and consistency of care.
       


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, 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.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit contains a wide range of variables to reflect the diverse nature of working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a range of correctional services settings. Selection from the range of variables will reflect the specific requirements of the work site and the defined work role.

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 working with offenders from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait background effectively as part of a coordinated team, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and changes to routine

copies of legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines relating to protecting the safety and welfare of Aboriginal and Torres Strait offenders

access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

The context of performance will depend on candidates' roles and responsibilities and the conditions required by:

case management

programmed intervention

classification and review

need and risk assessment

reporting and referring systems

protective care

routine and incident reports

review of sentence plan

investigations

dynamic security

security system.

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 and/or oral questioning to assess knowledge and understanding

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

third-party 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.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, 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.

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

Required skills:

identifying risk indicators, including:

trauma of imprisonment or impact of the justice system

stress caused by legal processes

depression and withdrawal

mental and psychological conditions

separation from family and social support

shame and punishment

cultural conflict and alienation

behaviour and attitudes

checking and analysing information for assessment of risks, special needs and developmental levels of Aboriginal and Torres Strait offenders

taking responsibility for duty of care outcomes based on the degree of risk and the special needs of the offender, including personal contact

preserving the rights and responsibilities of offenders and their safety and welfare

providing supervision and care, based on assessed risk and justifiable degree of care and concern

making decisions based on knowledge of the impact of cultural and personal values on behaviour and expectations

liaising with Aboriginal and Torres Strait staff and advisers

using clear and reassuring communication

responding to emergencies.

Required knowledge:

understanding of the historical context in which contact with the justice system will affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait offenders

understanding of indicators of risk to Aboriginal and Torres Strait people who are particularly vulnerable, including indicators of:

suicide

mutilation and self-harm

physical violence

mental illness

sexual abuse

addiction and drug use

provocative actions and behaviour

intellectual development

personality issues, aberrant behaviour and psychological deviance in the context of the prison environment

cultural isolation and alienation

language barriers

withdrawal and depression

procedures and requirements for reporting risks and incidents involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait offenders, including work site reporting processes and the organisation's offender information system

legislation relevant to roles and responsibilities and service guidelines, such as:

reporting racial abuse and discrimination

monitoring language and culturally determined attitudes

responding to emergencies

reporting incidents

supervision and surveillance of offenders at risk

protective supervision of offenders at risk of harm

access to information and restriction of access

appropriate relationships with offenders and colleagues

rights and responsibilities of offenders

referral to specialist and support agencies

suicide prevention strategy

organisation's code of conduct, code of ethics and duty of care, specifically in relation to the care and custody of Aboriginal and Torres Strait people

range of specialist support services and programs available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait offenders

cultural practices that will have an impact on decisions made about what allowances are made and permission given

impact of cultural beliefs on values, attitudes and behaviour

recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody relevant to the care and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait people in correctional services.

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 in the performance criteria is detailed below. Add any 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.

Potential risks may include:

death

self-harm

suicide

physical injury

assaulting and harming others

illness

physical, emotional and sexual abuse

harassment and bullying

accidents

criminal actions

risk taking

social isolation

depression

family and personal trauma

social and cultural alienation

drug and substance abuse.

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 a range of different interpersonal strategies to establish personal contact with the offender to build rapport and a professional relationship of trust and confidence. 
Check the background of the offender for indicators of special needs and likely risks. 
Use communication to ensure that the offender understands the conditions of court orders and the conditions of placement and offender services. 
Complete reports, document all action and decisions, and report all concerns promptly to the relevant people. 
Respond to concerns and incidents according to procedures and the degree of risk. 
Ensure that the offender's environment is safe and healthy according to agreed standards and cultural requirements. 
Supervise the offender's routine to monitor changes in mood and behaviour and potential risks. 
Seek advice and support, including community and cultural support and the support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait staff, according to procedures and where needs are identified. 
Refer the offender to specialist services or programs suitable for the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait people. 
Promote and maintain the rights and responsibilities of offenders and their cultural identity. 
Observe and note behaviour signs that may indicate change in mood or attitude and analyse them for indicators of risk and harm. 
Record changes that may indicate concern clearly and accurately and report them promptly to relevant support service. 
Confirm people with special needs or who might be vulnerable to risk, from a range of offender information and monitor them closely according to procedures. 
Analyse any indications of risk or harm and respond to them according to the degree and nature of the risk and the circumstances of the offender. 
Respond to incidents immediately according to procedures and in a manner designed to protect the safety and welfare of the people involved. 
Give clear and reassuring information to offender to address anxiety and distress and to maintain the offender's understanding of what is happening. 
Give clear, accurate and comprehensive information to team members for risk analysis. 
Support investigations of risks and collaborative teamwork to ensure improvements in services and support and continuity and consistency of care. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CSCOFM302A - Protect the safety and welfare of Aboriginal and Torres Strait offenders
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

CSCOFM302A - Protect the safety and welfare of Aboriginal and Torres Strait offenders

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: