CSCOFM308A
Promote cooperative behaviour

This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to monitor the behaviour of offenders, provide responses to unacceptable behaviour and support responsibility for behaviour management and change.This unit replaces and is equivalent to CSCOFM011A Promote cooperative behaviour.

Application

This unit applies to staff working in a custodial context and staff supervising offenders in community programs and agencies.

Customisation will be required to accommodate the different work sites and defined work role contexts in which this unit will be applied.


Prerequisites

Not applicable


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Monitor behaviour.

1.1 Use formal and informal methods to observe, monitor and gather information about individual and group behaviour.

1.2 Assess behaviour for potential conflict and use a range of preventative and defusing strategies.

1.3 Investigate offender behaviour and interactions in a fair, objective and consistent manner.

1.4 Check accuracy of information received from others that might indicate conflict and determine the response that is consistent with the issues and their seriousness.

1.5 Make decisions on action consistent with available evidence and organisation's practice and procedures.

1.6 Seek specialist advice and make referrals where required.

2Use communication strategies to prevent and manage conflict.

2.1 Conduct interactions with offenders in a fair, just, humane and positive manner.

2.2 Use communication strategies with individuals to promote effective interaction and problem solving.

2.3 Consider cultural sensitivities in communication techniques and adapt style and language to accommodate different cultural values and practices.

2.4 Identify potential causes of conflict and use a range of appropriate and effective defusing responses.

2.5 Use negotiation techniques to divert and minimise aggressive behaviour.

2.6 Use negotiation to examine cause and effect and encourage appropriate responsibility and accountability for behaviour and its outcomes.

3Respond to unacceptable behaviour.

3.1 Challenge unacceptable behaviour and outline options and opportunities to change, clearly and with positive encouragement.

3.2 Confirm the implications of continuing unacceptable behaviour clearly, calmly and objectively.

3.3 Use restraining techniques according to organisation's procedures and discontinue as soon as procedures specify.

3.4 Provide reports of incidents arising from aggressive and unacceptable behaviour that are accurate, clear and comply with procedures.

3.5 Report on the appropriateness and effectiveness of the use of restraining techniques clearly and accurately in review and debriefing.

3.6 Select strategies and responses for their potential to provide role models and examples of confident, assertive behaviour.

3.7 Carry out intervention strategies according to an analysis of the situation and organisational policies and procedures.

Required Skills

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required skills:

checking the accuracy of information from different sources

identifying the causes of aggression and violence

using a range of conflict management strategies

applying communication and negotiation skills under pressure.

Required knowledge:

organisation's policies, guidelines and procedures relating to responses to behaviour, safety and security, delegations and duty of care

principles of effective communication for conflict management

defusing and negotiation strategies

specific statutory requirements related to treatment of offenders with special needs and requiring special support

internal and external reporting procedures and practice

requirements for offender risk management

use of relevant restraint and control equipment and techniques

support and referral services and specialists

principles of responding to human behaviour relating to violence, aggression and suicide

principal cultural practices and customs of the correctional population and their impact on behaviour in a correctional environment.

Evidence Required

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

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.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit contains a wide range of variables to reflect the diverse nature of supporting offenders 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 promoting cooperative behaviour, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and changes to routine

copies of legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines relating to promoting cooperative 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.


Range Statement

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.

Individual and group behaviour will include a significant selection of examples from:

changing behaviour patterns

personal friction

expressions of anxiety and high-level concern

serious and chronic complaints

provocative and threatening behaviour

intent to harm self or others

forceful refusal to cooperate

abusive language

apathy, loss of interest and withdrawal

rejection of family, friends and support networks

threatened suicide

irrational behaviour

hyperactivity and depression

racism and bullying behaviour

behaviour consistent with mental health conditions

behaviour consistent with developmental problems.

Referrals should include at least four examples of different support from:

social and welfare worker

medical services

drug or alcohol services

behaviour management programs

counsellor

supervisor

religious and spiritual adviser

program coordinator

case manager

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island liaison

welfare organisations

legal adviser

family and personal and community support networks

emergency and incident response.

Communication strategies may include examples from:

use of positive assertive language

non-verbal gestures

constructive questioning and listening

tone of voice

awareness of cultural values and sensitivity

defusing verbal aggression

negotiating agreements.

Reports may include:

incident reports

case notes

special reports

inquiries

reports required or used by courts and judicial processes.


Sectors

Unit sector

Offender management


Competency Field

Not applicable


Co-Requisites

Not applicable


Employability Skills

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.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.