Application
This unit applies to all people working in detention centres, correctional centres or prisons, community corrections offices, justice administration offices and on work sites where detainees, prisoners or offenders are under statutory supervision. Variables will determine different applications of the standards depending on the nature and complexity of security requirements, security ratings and defined work role and responsibilities. The language used in this unit implies an institutional setting. Adaptation of the language will be necessary to reflect the practices of non-institutional settings and work sites. Customisation should occur through the introduction of specific organisation security equipment, functions and procedures. | |
Prerequisites
Not applicable | |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Use communication to establish control | 1.1 Adopt a position and stance designed to increase control and confidence and minimise provocation and aggressive response 1.2 Use communication techniques which focus the attention and concentration of the person in controlled directions 1.3 Use communication strategies which provide clear instructions and options aimed at reducing escalation of reaction 1.4 Use communication methods which engage the person in positive responses 1.5 Use non-verbal messages and body language which avoid provocation and aggressive messages 1.6 Use continuous and calming communication to provide distraction and personalised engagement 1.7 Defuse negative provocation and confrontation with the use of confident and positive proposals and alternatives 1.8 Select language which is neutral and avoids provocation and aggressive messages |
2. Apply defensive control strategies | 2.1 Observe and monitor people using threatening behaviour, assess all relevant indications for degree and nature of risk 2.2 Observe and monitor the environment for factors which will contribute to or moderate the risks identified 2.3 Observe and assess the behaviour of people for the cause and potential escalation of aggression 2.4 Explain options for cooperation clearly and positively and support them when cooperation is given 2.5 Select defensive control tactics appropriate for the nature of the threat and the degree of risk 2.6 Select defensive control tactics which are designed to protect the safety and welfare of all involved 2.7 Use physically restraint in a manner which is proportional to the risk and which minimises injury and loss of human dignity 2.8 Use restraint according to the policies and procedures of the organisation 2.9 Use verbal strategies to de-escalate tensions and re-establish personal interaction 2.10 Use search and isolation to remove any remaining risks and maintain safety and security of those involved 2.11 Consult and take advice from specialist support and advisers |
Required Skills
This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit. | |
Required skills: interpreting and estimating level of conflict and degree of risk using effective communication techniques to deal with aggressive and uncooperative people using effective communication and negotiation skills, especially under pressure, to calm, distract or change focus applying strategies to prevent escalation of incidents using surveillance and observation techniques recording and documenting reports on incidents providing warnings and clear directions and instructions using communication systems to request assistance if needed using appropriate reasonable force options to minimise threat to self and others. | |
Required knowledge: Knowledge is specific to the corrections environment, specific to enterprise requirements and statutory context.Assessment of this unit requires evidence of the following knowledge: Organisational policies and procedures: the organisation's policies, guidelines and procedures relating to responses to behaviour, safety and security, delegations, duty of care; specific statutory requirements related to treatment of offenders; use of relevant protective and restraint equipment and technology; all procedures, policies, guidelines and statutory requirements associated with physical restraint; allowable control strategies for restraining aggressive and unco-operative behaviour; role of first responding officer; Principles of communication: principles of effective communication for conflict management; basic counselling and negotiation strategies in response context; reporting procedures and practice, internal and external; communication strategies for effective defusing of conflict; communication techniques which establish control; personal and cultural values and their effect on communication. Practice guidelines including: support services and specialists; theories of human behaviour relating to violence, aggression and suicide; factors which provoke and escalate aggression; factors which apply in physical contact; physical techniques which can be used to establish control. Cultural considerations: cultural factors which must be taken into consideration; principle cultural practices and customs of the correctional population; cultural factors which contribute to negative responses and blockages or hostility in communication; personal and cultural values and their effect on physical control. organisation's policies and procedures, and legal requirements related to use of force, use of restraint, use of specific defensive equipment and techniques, misuse of force, and duty of care under criminal and civil law organisation's delegations, accountability and reporting processes related to critical incidents principles of effective communication and use of communication techniques under pressure negotiation strategies duty of care responsibilities and humane treatment tactical response within specified legal and strategic limits response options that are most effective for the degree and nature of risk principles of communication to reduce the level of threat or conflict principles of communication to give clear, accurate and concise information risk factors and their impact on incidents or situations conflict management strategies and techniques stress management strategies and techniques. |
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 | Assessment of this unit can be applied using a combination of training outcomes and performance in the workplace, with the principal evidence developed through performance in routine work functions in the workplace. Where this unit specified performance in areas with unpredictable and high risk implications, assessment in simulations should be used as well as retrospective documentation and observation of performance working with high risk offenders. Evidence needs to be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and/or apply the principles in a different situation or change of environment. | |
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 manage threatening 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 when managing threatening behaviour, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine copies of legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines relating to use of force and management of threatening behaviour access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required. | |
Method of assessment | Evidence must include observation and information generated in the workplace as well as observation of performance in routine work functions or, where this is not possible, in a simulated exercise to confirm the transferability of the competencies. 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 scenarios simulations or role plays. | |
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. | ||
Conflict situations may include: | persons with criminal intent persons under the influence of intoxicating substances refusals to follow directions and guidance conflicts between offenders or members of the public ejection of persons situations affecting the security of self, others or property persons suffering from emotional distress or mental illness bystander behaviour accidents resulting in injury riots and demonstrations destruction of property hostile gatherings of large numbers of people. | |
Legal requirements and organisational procedures may include: | use of force guidelines duty of care, code of conduct and code of ethics use of restraint and defensive weapons rules for searching control of intoxicated persons policies and procedures relating to own role, responsibility and delegation business and performance plans, including organisational goals and objectives access and equity policy, principles and practice records and information systems and processes communication channels and reporting procedures emergency and evacuation procedures. | |
Negotiation techniques may include: | using calm, confident and assertive language controlling tone of voice and body language using strategic questioning and listening to gather information and direct the focus of people involved demonstrating flexibility and willingness to negotiate using language and concepts appropriate to the people involved distracting and changing focus using clear presentation of options and consequences. | |
Communication techniques may include: | verbal and non-verbal language two-way interaction constructive feedback active listening interpreting and assessing actions for risk observation techniques use of positive, confident and cooperative language use of language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences. | |
Social and cultural differences may include: | language traditional practices and observations beliefs, values and practices food and diet dress religious and spiritual observances social conventions cultural stereotypes conventions of gender and sexuality. | |
Records and reports may include: | incident reports security logs and journals running sheets task allocation sheets records of conversation electronic and paper-based information radio and telephone records. | |
Stress management techniques may include: | critical incident debriefing informal exploration of incidents with team members and supporters counselling review of practice and resources. |
Sectors
Unit sector | Safety and security |
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.