Application
This unit describes the skills required to assess offenders' potential and needs, develop and implement a plan to assist offenders to achieve change goals and monitor and review the progress of offenders against their plans.
This unit applies to those working with offenders in custodial environments or within the community. Customisation will be required to accommodate the different work sites and different work contexts in which this unit will be applied.
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, use of resources and case management.
Those undertaking this unit normally work autonomously and use support from a range of established resources. This role involves complex task organisation and analysis.
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. Assess offenders’ potential and needs | 1.1 Identify and assess offenders’ history, skills, resources and needs. 1.2 Investigate risks and opportunities for development based on offender assessment. 1.3 Encourage offenders to cooperate actively in the analysis of offending behaviour and directions for change. 1.4 Encourage offenders to take responsibility for changing behaviour by establishing personal goals and determining strategies for achieving them. 1.5 Acknowledge offenders’ preferences and decisions and respond to them positively. 1.6 Use personal goal-setting techniques to identify and prioritise areas for action. 1.7 Assess special needs and make referrals to suitable and available services. 1.8 Record and refer offender information and decisions accurately. 1.9 Identify issues arising from involuntary participation and resistance and discuss the consequences with the offenders. |
2. Develop plan to achieve offender goals | 2.1 Provide information on the services available to offenders and ensure it is clearly explained and designed to promote cooperation. 2.2 Explore and clarify offenders’ expectations and address potential obstacles to encourage realistic goals. 2.3 Explain and negotiate guidelines, conditions and requirements to gain agreement on conditions and compliance. 2.4 Assess the need for specialised assistance or referral and negotiate these with offenders. 2.5 Encourage offenders’ self-management and active involvement in decision making. 2.6 Ensure that appropriate support is provided to offenders in developing plans. |
3. Implement offender management plans | 3.1 Identify, assess and allocate resources required by the plan. 3.2 Review all aspects of the implementation of the plan and provide documents and information to all services involved in implementing the plan. 3.3 Negotiate and conduct referrals with other services according to agreed criteria and protocol. 3.4 Assist offenders in individual negotiations with other services to achieve agreed outcomes. 3.5 Provide guidance and support when addressing obstacles to achieving goals. 3.6 Explore possible consequences of behaviour and decisions with offenders and give encouragement for responsibility in decision making. 3.7 Seek specialist advice when required and incorporate advice into the strategies to achieve goals. |
4. Monitor and review offender progress | 4.1 Review goals and objectives against achievements and measures of progress. 4.2 Make adjustments to plans where required. 4.3 Acknowledge offenders' achievements and provide encouragement and constructive feedback. 4.4 Identify and allocate additional resources needed for further progress. 4.5 Encourage offenders to engage in personal evaluation and reflection. 4.6 Encourage and support offenders' plans. 4.7 Establish and explain the boundaries of confidentiality to offenders. 4.8 Confirm information obtained from the offender and record it 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 two occasions.
applying a range of risk and need assessment strategies
using strategies for complex coordination of resources, services and programs
using a range of planning and reviewing strategies to assist offenders in implementing plans
using communication techniques to overcome resistance
support individual development plans and negotiate changes
using a range of sources to access offender and organisational information
writing detailed reports describing offender progress and activity
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 policies and procedures related to offender management
code of conduct
sentence requirements and legal obligations associated with offender management and services
duty of care
available support services report requirements
negotiation techniques
communication techniques
Assessment Conditions
This unit contains a wide range of variables to reflect the diverse nature of offender management and the different services provided in and for correctional services. 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 responsible for implementing planned approaches to offender management, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and changes to routine.
This unit has been identified by industry as suitable for holistic assessment with:
CSCINT001 Negotiate behaviour change
CSCOFM018 Provide guidance and counsel
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