Application
This unit describes the skills required to maintain the health and safety of offenders and promote a safe environment.
This unit applies to correctional services staff working with offenders in prisons, secure custodial centres and in the community. Working as part of a coordinated team is integral to the role.
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 health and safety of offenders and interaction with offenders.
Those undertaking this unit work with moderate support. The role involves explicit tasks involving a limited number of familiar steps.
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. Maintain the health of offenders | 1.1 Check the special needs of offenders and how they relate to the correctional environment. 1.2 Interact with offenders to identify and check on any problems. 1.3 Give offenders the information they need to protect their health, and avoid stress and risk to their welfare. 1.4 Help offenders to cope with and resolve problems that may affect their health and welfare. 1.5 Give accurate and relevant information on health issues. 1.6 Report health and safety concerns to authorised people. 1.7 Refer offenders to specialists according to policies and guidelines. |
2. Promote safety | 2.1 Assess risks to safety and respond, giving priority to the protection of people involved. 2.2 Access organisational resources to maintain current knowledge and skills in relation to emergency responses. 2.3 Assess incidents and call for extra support according to emergency procedures. 2.4 Respond immediately to requests for support from colleagues. 2.5 Record all incidents in the form and detail required. 2.6 Provide information about the incident and participate in review of the incident and response. 2.7 Ensure that the environment is maintained to prevent and remove hazards. 2.8 Promote safe practices in all activities. 2.9 Supervise the use of personal protective clothing and footwear by offenders for all activities requiring it. 2.10 Ensure conduct and contact with offenders minimise intrusion on personal privacy and provocation of aggressive behaviour. |
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 two occasions.
checking health, safety and hygiene practice of offenders
reporting verbally and in writing on concerns about the safety and welfare of offenders
consulting offender information systems
supporting the routine safety and protection of offenders classified at risk
advising offenders on correct use of personal protective clothing and footwear
reporting risks and incidents
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 policies and procedures related to the health and safety of offenders
code of conduct
duty of care infection control procedures
health and safety reporting procedures
Assessment Conditions
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.
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 maintaining the health, safety and welfare of offenders as part of a coordinated team, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and changes to routine.
This unit has been identified by industry as suitable for holistic assessment with:
CSCORG002 Communicate effectively
CSCOFM004 Protect the safety and welfare of vulnerable offenders
CSCOFM008 Supervise offenders
Refer to advice in the
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
Offender management