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

CSCORG505A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Manage a work unit

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency CSCORG505A - Manage a work unit
Description This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to manage the staff, programs and resources of a self-contained work group or a special-purpose unit, program or project. It involves planning and monitoring the services of the unit, managing resources and supervising and supporting staff.This is a generic management unit that will need to be significantly contextualised to reflect the specific nature of diverse work units in correctional services.This unit replaces and is equivalent to CSCORG017A Manage a work unit.
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 The specific applications of this unit will vary considerably within the industry depending on management structures and the nature of specialisations and services within the organisation. This unit applies to candidates with both general and specialist competencies from a range of occupational areas.Factors that will influence the application of this unit will include:type of institution and degrees of custody and securitysize, number of staff and range of serviceslocation, layout and construction or designavailable and required accommodationphilosophy, objectives and purpose of the organisation.In practice, managing a work unit will overlap with other generalist or specialist work activities such as work unit planning, managing activities to meet client requirements, coordinating resource allocation and usage, coordinating a work team, etc.
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: Plan and monitor the services of the unit.
  • Ensure that work unit guidelines, procedures and practices are developed, monitored and reviewed through active consultation and participation with all key people.
  • Promote the contribution of the work unit and its outcomes in the organisation and correctional community.
  • Design and monitor internal information and reporting systems for efficiency, effective communication and accountability.
  • Maintain regular team meetings designed to encourage routine participation in planning and services review.
  • Maintain liaison with other relevant key people in the community and related agencies.
       
Element: Manage unit resources.
  • Determine required resources to enable achievement of work unit objectives.
  • Facilitate cooperation in the work unit through balanced and fair work allocation and recognition of all contributions.
  • Ensure that physical resources are maintained to agreed safety, health and welfare standards.
  • Monitor financial expenditure to ensure that budgets and delegations are kept within agreed limits and allocations.
  • Ensure that financial reporting systems are consistent with organisational and contract requirements.
       
Element: Supervise and support staff.
  • Identify and monitor staff functions, duties and responsibilities required for the effective and productive operation of the unit.
  • Recruit and select staff according to identified criteria and procedures.
  • Identify any skills shortages and staff development needs and provide appropriate training.
  • Identify and counsel inappropriate behaviour to promote a positive attitude towards industry standards and performance improvement.
  • Promote achievements and support and reinforce productive and effective behaviour with team members.
  • Ensure that staff performance appraisal and counselling are provided according to policies and work contracts.
  • Identify issues and concerns affecting work performance of staff and provide counselling and support to resolve problems.
       
Element: Demonstrate effective decision making.
  • Apply team-building strategies to achieve strengthened individual and team commitment to organisational vision and work unit goals.
  • Use a range of consultation methods to involve staff, management and other related services in the decisions affecting the work unit.
  • Promote the use of problem-solving strategies and techniques to produce creative and innovative thinking.
  • Evaluate decisions and actions for their effectiveness and positive outcomes and make adjustments to plans.
  • Ensure that decisions and actions are documented, reported and recorded according to agreed procedures.
       


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

This unit should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment using material drawn from the range statement. The material should be relevant to organisational requirements and defined work role.

Assessment should include the opportunity to demonstrate evidence from work in the wider community. Evidence should be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the candidate 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 manage a work unit 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 when managing a work unit, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine

copies of legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines relating to protocols for managing a work unit

access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Method of assessment

Evidence must include observation and information generated in the workplace as well as observation of performance in routine work functions or, where this is not possible, in a simulated exercise.

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

scenarios

simulations or role plays.

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:

accessing and using legislation and guidelines relating to managing the work unit, including physical, human and financial resources

interpreting and explaining organisational policies, procedures and strategic plans and assisting others to apply them in the workplace

planning and developing work unit objectives and effectiveness measures

using team building strategies

undertaking grievance counselling and resolving conflict in work teams

delegating work to others

recruiting and selecting staff using approved methodologies and strategies

identifying training needs and skills shortages

undertaking effective liaison, negotiation and consultation with stakeholders

interpreting budgets and applying financial management strategies

preparing written advice and reports requiring analysis and accurate expression.

Required knowledge:

legislation, regulations, policies and procedures relating to protocols and guidelines in relation to managing a work unit

Environmental or sustainability legislation, regulations and codes of practice applicable to industry

financial management and budgetary processes in the organisation

consultative mechanisms and protocols of the organisation

political and industrial relations context of the industry

group dynamics

conflict resolution techniques

meeting formats and facilitation or chairing requirements

recruitment and staff selection methodologies

team-building strategies

strategic plans and work unit and business plans

equal employment opportunities, equity and diversity principles.

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.

Guidelines, procedures and practices will include a relevant selection from:

occupational health and safety

reporting and recording procedures

offender and case management

sentence management

equal employment opportunities

anti-discrimination

code of conduct

induction and training/staff development

recruitment

security and intelligence

human resource management

management and service protocols

financial management and accountability

inquiries conducted in the justice system and the organisation

offender assessment units

service and consultant contracts.

Key people may include:

individual members of the work unit team

individuals from other work areas of the organisation

groups formed for a special purpose or project

senior management

other agencies, community groups and individuals.

Work unit may include:

mainstream correctional units in custodial and community services with responsibility for the supervision of offenders under court orders and sentence conditions

alternative detention units

community-based programs

emergency response teams

education and training centres

dog squads

specially commissioned review or implementation teams

health teams

catering services

therapeutic units

employment and commercial enterprises

escorts and transport

information technology

human resources

parole board support unit

finance management

special research and inquiry.

Resources may include:

human

physical

financial

technological and information resources.

Recruitment and selection processes may include:

job analysis and evaluation

job description

recruitment advertising

use of external agencies

application processing

competency profiling

job classifications.

Team-building strategies may include:

defining and clarifying objectives and work area plans

strengthening communication processes

clarifying ground rules and behavioural expectations

fostering creativity

offering constructive feedback

recognising achievements.

Consultation methods may include:

distribution of materials

maintenance of regular contact

providing facilitated meetings

inviting discussion

providing explanations.

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
Ensure that work unit guidelines, procedures and practices are developed, monitored and reviewed through active consultation and participation with all key people. 
Promote the contribution of the work unit and its outcomes in the organisation and correctional community. 
Design and monitor internal information and reporting systems for efficiency, effective communication and accountability. 
Maintain regular team meetings designed to encourage routine participation in planning and services review. 
Maintain liaison with other relevant key people in the community and related agencies. 
Determine required resources to enable achievement of work unit objectives. 
Facilitate cooperation in the work unit through balanced and fair work allocation and recognition of all contributions. 
Ensure that physical resources are maintained to agreed safety, health and welfare standards. 
Monitor financial expenditure to ensure that budgets and delegations are kept within agreed limits and allocations. 
Ensure that financial reporting systems are consistent with organisational and contract requirements. 
Identify and monitor staff functions, duties and responsibilities required for the effective and productive operation of the unit. 
Recruit and select staff according to identified criteria and procedures. 
Identify any skills shortages and staff development needs and provide appropriate training. 
Identify and counsel inappropriate behaviour to promote a positive attitude towards industry standards and performance improvement. 
Promote achievements and support and reinforce productive and effective behaviour with team members. 
Ensure that staff performance appraisal and counselling are provided according to policies and work contracts. 
Identify issues and concerns affecting work performance of staff and provide counselling and support to resolve problems. 
Apply team-building strategies to achieve strengthened individual and team commitment to organisational vision and work unit goals. 
Use a range of consultation methods to involve staff, management and other related services in the decisions affecting the work unit. 
Promote the use of problem-solving strategies and techniques to produce creative and innovative thinking. 
Evaluate decisions and actions for their effectiveness and positive outcomes and make adjustments to plans. 
Ensure that decisions and actions are documented, reported and recorded according to agreed procedures. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CSCORG505A - Manage a work unit
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

CSCORG505A - Manage a work unit

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: