PSPCRT007
Compile and use official notes


Application

This unit describes the skills required to keep notes and use them to give evidence in court, prepare statements and compile reports, including incident reports. It includes applying knowledge of the essential elements of note taking, statement and report preparation; and legislative and organisational requirements for the structure and content of official reports.

This unit applies to those working within the court system operating under procedures set by the court.

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 set by the court.

Those undertaking this unit would generally work independently with occasional supervisory responsibilities. They would perform complex tasks in a range of familiar and unfamiliar contexts.

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. Record and retain original notes

1.1 Use official notebooks to record original notes relating to incidents and occurrences in appropriate format and timeframe.

1.2 Make notes that meet content and sequencing requirements within required timeframes.

1.3 Record identifying information retain and secure for the length of time required by law.

2. Use notes to make statements

2.1 Use notes to refresh memory and provide factual basis for statements.

2.2 Maintain receipts and bank records.

2.3 Format details for statements.

3. Use notes to give evidence

3.1 Use notes to refresh memory prior to giving evidence, enabling concise and factual answers.

3.2 Request authority of presiding official to refer to notes while giving evidence in court.

3.3 Present factual, correctly sequenced evidence that reflects information in notes.

3.4 Employ presentation standards.

4. Compile reports

4.1 Collect, analyse and organise information for reports into a logical sequence according to the purpose and audience of each report.

4.2 Format reports to meet organisational requirements for structure, style and content.

4.3 Complete incident reports containing all required information and outcomes.

4.4 Produce reports required for information management systems.

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 one occasion.

applying legislation, rules, and organisational practices and procedures including WHS relating to official note taking or working in an office environment

interpreting notes and giving evidence

taking notes sequencing events chronologically

compiling reports

assigning report and file numbers

operating equipment and/or technology to prepare reports


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.

reasons for and key requirements of note taking for official purposes

essential elements of a report

legislative and organisational requirements for structure and content of official reports and statements

requirements for giving evidence

information management including retention and security of notes


Assessment Conditions

Assessment of this unit requires evidence gathered over time in a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the diverse conditions likely to be encountered when compiling and using official notes.

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.

Further information on ACSF and the foundation skills underpinning this unit can be found in the Foundation Skills Guide on the GSA website.


Competency Field

Courts