Release 1.0.

This unit was released in CSC Correctional Services Training Package release 2.0

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to protect the safety and welfare of young offenders in custody.

It requires the ability to assess the needs and organise the care and protection of young offenders at risk.

This unit applies to individuals working in custodial settings where they are responsible for the supervision of young offenders.

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 young offenders and allocation of offenders to programs.

Statutory/legislative requirements apply to this unit and may vary across states and territories. Users are required to check with the relevant jurisdiction for current requirements.

Not applicable

Offender management

Not applicable

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1  

Identify the needs of young offenders in custody 

1.1 

Check and confirm the needs, risks, cultural background and circumstances of young offenders with relevant sources including responsible adults and agencies

1.2 

Identify and document immediate concerns and risk factors and report to the relevant person/s in accordance with workplace procedures

1.3 

Assess and prioritise concerns, risk factors and resources, and refer offenders to specialist support

1.4 

Document issues relating to the welfare of young offenders and ensure notes are clear and accurate

2 

Organise the care and protection of young offenders at risk 

2.1 

Check the personal needs of young offenders are provided for according to resources and priorities

2.2 

Check needs and additional support are included in the design of support

2.3 

Refer young offenders with needs to specialist support in accordance with referral protocols and workplace policies and procedures

2.4 

Use special protective strategies based on the interests and needs of young offenders and the level of assessed risk

2.5 

Assess the implications for the use of a range of care options and incorporate in planning and negotiating with young offenders and their supporters

2.6 

Identify a range of programs for young offenders and provide information and support to access recommended programs to relevant person/s

2.7 

Provide information about responsibilities, statutory mandates and consequences of options for the safety and protection of young offenders to key people and agencies

2.8 

Comply with processes for monitoring and evaluating participation by young offenders in programs and support provided by specialist services

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

This unit supersedes and is equivalent to CSCOFM007 Protect the safety and welfare of young offenders.

Release 1.0.

This unit was released in CSC Correctional Services Training Package release 2.0.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and includes:

• providing supervision and care to address the needs of a young offende byr:

• communicating effectively with the young offender to identify risks and establish needs
• assessing risks, needs and developmental levels for the young offender
• checking and confirming the accuracy and relevance of information with reliable sources inside and outside the organisation
• establishing clear expectations and boundaries with the young offender

• preserving the safety and welfare of a young offender at risk by:

• using a range of communication strategies to discover risk factors and consult with family members and specialists
• providing supervision and care, based on assessed risk and justifiable degree of care and concern
• responding to the immediate needs of a young person by ensuring appropriate monitoring and placements have been considered
• referring young offender to appropriate specialist services
• taking responsibility for duty of care outcomes based on the degree of risk and the needs of young offenders, including personal contact
• preserving the rights and responsibilities of the young offender and their safety and welfare
• making conclusions that are clearly based on available information
• documenting information about the young offender's welfare in reports that are clear, accurate and in the format required by the organisation

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

• categories, levels and prioritisation of risk identified in the organisation’s risk management plans and relevant to the young offender
• workplace policies, procedures and requirements for documenting and reporting risks and incidents
• workplace policies, procedures and requirements for monitoring participation in programs by young offenders
• legislation relevant to work role and responsibilities and service guidelines
• potential needs and risk factors of young offenders including:

• age
• cultural background
• gender identity
• sexual orientation
• diagnosed medical conditions
• disabilities including:

• physical
• intellectual

• trauma and the impact of trauma on that young person
• stress
• mental illness
• addiction or drug use
• withdrawal
• self-harm
• history of abuse or neglect

• organisation’s code of conduct, code of ethics and duty of care

• workplace policies and procedures following death in custody
• range of specialist support services and programs available to young offenders and the implications associated with each

• referral protocols and processes for getting advice and assistance when there are problems
• cultural practices that will have an impact on decisions made about what allowances are made and permission given
• resources available for young offenders
• limitations on family involvement in young offender's assessment of need
• special protective strategies
• statutory mandates and consequences of options for the safety and protection of young offenders
• existence of contemporary issues in youth justice including:
• royal commissions
• jurisdictional and state inquiries and recommendations
• key jurisdiction stakeholder reports

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in suitable workplace operational situations. Where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in suitable simulated workplace operational situations reflecting actual industry workplace conditions likely to be encountered by an individual when working with young offenders.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

• relevant and appropriate materials, tools, facilities, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in the industry
• applicable documentation relevant to the industry including workplace policies, procedures, industry standards, equipment specifications, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals
• case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered.