Application
This unit describes the skills required to develop intervention programs, match offenders to programs, encourage involvement and evaluate the effectiveness of programs.
This unit applies to staff working in offender services coordination roles within correctional services. This role may be carried out in a custodial environment or community program setting.
The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to, particularly those related to interaction with offenders and offender services.
A person working in this role is autonomous and draws upon support from a range of established and new resources. The role is complex, involving application of high level organisation, communication and analysis skills.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section. |
1. Develop intervention programs | 1.1 Identify the need for programs for offenders and check the suitability of existing programs with available information and through consultation with colleagues. 1.2 Provide support to existing community networks and agencies and encourage them to develop programs to meet offender needs. 1.3 Explore the availability of resources and develop strategies to acquire adequate and relevant resources. 1.4 Develop liaison protocols collaboratively with community agencies to ensure that offenders’ interests are reflected in the design and delivery of programs. 1.5 Review the effectiveness of programs with offenders and program staff and make adjustments to ensure that outcomes are achieved. 1.6 Document and report program and offender details according to organisational and program requirements. |
2. Match offenders to existing programs | 2.1 Identify and assess offender needs against the services and criteria of existing programs. 2.2 Consult community or specialist agencies about available programs and advocate for the interests of offenders. 2.3 Gather information about a range of suitable community services routinely and check it for currency, accuracy and relevance. 2.4 Clarify protocol and guidelines for access to programs and involve offenders in determining suitability and preferences. |
3. Encourage responsibility and participation | 3.1 Confirm the objectives of programs in meeting statutory requirements, sentence plan and personal goals of offenders. 3.2 Acknowledge the responsibilities of offenders in determining and achieving their personal goals and reinforce this throughout implementation strategies and procedures. 3.3 Identify and assess offender obstacles and potential resistance to cooperating with service provision to determine appropriate strategies. 3.4 Encourage and support offenders through appropriate allocation of resources and services and routine review of progress. 3.5 Support and maintain the active involvement of offenders in the implementation and review of program goals and strategies. |
4. Evaluate effectiveness of programs | 4.1 Supervise offenders with least disruption and interference to person and routine. 4.2 Create opportunities for formal and informal exchange of information on offender progress and wellbeing. 4.3 Note signs of stress, anxiety and behaviour indicating problems with compliance, and investigate and report to appropriate services. 4.4 Organise structured opportunities for offender feedback and provide reports on progress. 4.5 Encourage constructive, honest, relevant and comprehensive participation in meetings. 4.6 Provide accurate reports in required timeframe that contain honest, complete and substantiated information and recommendations. 4.7 Monitor program regularly against agreed plan, objectives and outcomes. 4.8 Actively seek feedback from offenders and others involved at regular intervals and use this to inform the design of the program. 4.9 Identify and assess proposed changes, discuss them with relevant people and implement where determined. 4.10 Record information provided by those involved accurately and comprehensively. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.
using a range of network and consultation strategies with colleagues inside and outside the correctional organisation
coordinating the organisation’s offender or case management model
liaising with a wide range of professional and specialist service providers
using the organisation’s information management system
using communication strategies for counselling and negotiation
using relevant review and evaluation techniques to determine the effectiveness of programs
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.
organisation’s strategic plans and objectives that relate to the use of programs and services for offenders to achieve the outcomes required
range of agencies within and outside the organisation providing programs for offenders and criteria and conditions for service
organisation’s offender risk management system
organisation’s offender or case management model
programs and resources relevant to offender development
principles and models of community development and their role in offender support and rehabilitation
organisation’s policies, procedures and objectives related to court orders, relationship with community and other service agencies
key people in the local community and community agencies and services
networks and liaison protocol
effective communication strategies, including cross-cultural
Assessment Conditions
Where this unit specifies performance in areas with unpredictable and high risk implications, assessment in simulations should be used as well as retrospective documentation and observation of performance working with offenders in the community.
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 coordination of intervention strategies and programs for offenders as part of a coordinated team, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and changes to routine.
Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The foundation skills demands of this unit have been mapped for alignment with the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). The following tables outline the performance levels indicated for successful attainment of the unit.
ACSF levels indicative of performance
Further information on ACSF and the foundation skills underpinning this unit can be found in the
Competency Field
Intervention