This unit describes the skills required to develop an offender case management system and design and monitor system implementation procedures.

This unit applies to those working in management or supervisory roles within offender management. This role may be undertaken in a custodial environment or community correctional services 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 offender management.

Those undertaking this unit work autonomously drawing upon and evaluating support from a broad range of resources. The role requires high level organisation, communication and evaluation skills.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

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.

interpreting and applying legislation, strategic plans and organisational purpose

anticipating and managing organisational issues

developing and assessing models appropriate for intervention

collecting and analysing information

documenting plans and systems

consulting with and negotiating mutually agreed outcomes with staff at all levels in the organisation

communicating verbally, including interviewing, negotiating

establishing and maintaining relationships and networks interpersonal communication, including

researching current trends in case management

analysing and evaluating practices

planning for practice improvement

explaining complex issues with different people in the organisation

applying program evaluation and review strategies

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.

relevant policy including environmental and/or sustainability practices, procedures and legislation and statutory requirements related to offender management and services, quality management and assurance, organisational programs and services, strategic plans, and case management protocols and procedures

different models of intervention and behaviour change management

organisational and cultural protocols and systems

family structure, dynamics, communication and decision making

family support and family casework strategies

range of community services and available resources

indicators of abuse and accepted intervention strategies

effects of abuse on human development

effects of different forms of intervention

effects of incarceration

operational planning processes

report writing and documentation requirements

stress-management techniques

meeting procedures and facilitation

developing and maintaining appropriate networks

program specific knowledge, including:

organisation’s policies, objectives and program requirements for addressing offending behaviour using a case management approach

organisation’s criteria and protocols for suitability of programs and conditions for referral to programs within the organisation and in other agencies

range of approaches used to prevent and reduce the harm caused by specific offending behaviour and behaviour likely to lead to offending

theories of power and their analysis of relationships in the correctional environment

intervention techniques that use personal responsibility and motivation and a range of alternative strategies

partnership accountability that makes practice open to those who have an investment in the outcomes of case management and its role in reducing offending behaviour

restorative justice programs in which justice shifts from seeing crime as an offence against the state to treating it as an offence against people and relationships and tackling reconciliation and restitution at the human relationship level

alternative justice programs that focus on the offending behaviour and how to change it or require that the offender makes reparation rather than automatic incarceration

behaviour theories and therapeutic responses, including:

cognitive behavioural theory that emphasises the way that people’s thinking affects their behaviour and how thinking patterns can be changed to improve problem-solving skills and give people acceptable and constructive alternatives to harmful and illegal behaviour

human development theory that uses knowledge of the ways in which common human behaviours change during a life span and the way priorities evolve through the stages of life

systems theory that focuses on the interdependence of individuals, families, groups, organisations, environments and cultures as an explanation of how people operate and interrelate

motivational interviewing that uses tactical and strategic persuasion to increase an individual’s motivation by generating arguments for change from the individual

therapeutic group work that relies on knowledge of how the energies of group members can be mobilised and channelled to help each other and to increase responsibility and control

criminogenic factors in needs assessment that use testing of specific factors to determine appropriate intervention strategies

reflective practice that uses analysis of personal practice for increased selfawareness and professional development

grief and loss theories that explain how grief reactions to loss can result in a range of behaviour requiring consideration in the design of intervention and response

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 developing and establishing offender management practices effectively 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.

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 Foundation Skills Guide on the GSA website.

Offender management