This unit may be part of a general case management approach or it may be part of a specialist set of strategies for influencing particular behaviour in offenders. This can be the behaviour that has caused the offence or it may be risk behaviour associated with detention or community-based supervision. Offender participation may be part of a mandatory sentence requirement or voluntary, and may be inside a secure centre or in the community.

Not applicable

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Support and monitor the progress of change.

1.1 Maintain contact with offenders according to program agreements and in a supportive but non-intrusive manner.

1.2 Check signs of progress or obstacles and review and adjust intervention plans.

1.3 Consult colleagues working with offenders for information about progress and check information with a range of sources.

1.4 Provide information to colleagues working with offenders that is accurate, comprehensive and designed to promote cooperation in the implementation of change.

1.5 Negotiate and provide support where its need is indicated by progress and obstacles.

1.6 Negotiate and implement agreed penalties and rewards where beneficial.

2Review the process and outcomes of personal plans.

2.1 Identify and match outcomes against the plans and the indicators of progress.

2.2 Give relevant feedback at progressive stages based on the personal goals and timetables agreed in plans.

2.3 Negotiate new or adjusted goals and timeframes and adjust plans to reflect new agreements.

2.4 Publicly credit and acknowledge achievements where this is agreed.

2.5 Recognise achievements in personal responsibility and accountability formally and informally.

2.6 Identify and negotiate new areas of change and development.

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 non-intrusive

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:

organisation's 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

anti-social behaviour

behaviour control

addictive behaviour

mental health conditions

peer pressure and control

suicide and self-abuse

role of cultural values in determining behaviour and relationships

principles of specialist communication, such as:

interviewing, including motivational interviewing

negotiation

mediation

counselling

report presentation

cross-cultural 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 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.

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.

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

assessing offender for referral or inclusion in a specific program

intervention programs as part of sentencing conditions

intervention programs that are part of an offender management process

disciplinary conditions

conditions for probation or parole or community release

part of a strategy for reducing re-offending.

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:

therapeutic programs

group work

education and learning

counselling

training and employment programs

living skills programs.

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:

re-offending

violent behaviour

sexual attitudes and sexual violence

addiction, and drug or alcohol use

social and interpersonal behaviour, relationships and trauma

financial management

skills and employment

mental illness

health management

self-harm and suicide

cultural alienation.

Unit sector

Intervention

Not applicable

Not applicable

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.