Release 1. This is the first release of this unit of competency in the CSC Correctional Services Training Package Release 4.0

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess offender behaviour, communication and presentation, assess risks and determine intervention approach.

Offender risks encompass many different aspects of offender health and safety, including:

• suicide and self-harm
• risk from others
• risk to others
• sexual abuse
• drug and substance use
• anger management
• domestic family violence
• nature of the offence
• media attention or public interest
• potential for repeat offence and re-offending
• trauma history
• mental health factors
• family crisis
• cultural and diversity factors
• housing/homelessness

This unit applies to correctional services staff responsible for the management and review of offenders. The role includes identifying immediate and longer-term risks and needs to ensure allocation and referral of offenders to suitable and effective intervention and support services.

A person undertaking this role may work autonomously or as part of a team with support from a range of established sources. The role is complex, drawing upon the candidate’s ability to extract, analyse and interpret information.

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 offenders.

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

Not applicable.

Intervention

Not applicable.

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1 

Assess offender behaviour, communication and presentation 

1.1 

Assess offender's emotional state within the context of known personal history and circumstances

1.2 

Assess the physical presentation of the offender

1.3 

Note discrepancies and inconsistencies in offender behaviour

1.4 

Research and check information about offender's history, behaviour and emotional state from analysis of his/her information and behaviour and from offender files and reports

1.5 

Make a general assessment of functioning according to recognised criteria and note indicators of risk, responsivity and need

1.6 

Use a range of communication strategies to discover experiences, attitudes and needs of the offender

2 

Analyse nature and degree of risk 

2.1 

Check and confirm the offender's understanding of the nature of their circumstances using a range of communication and analysis strategies

2.2 

Explore offender's perceptions of their capacity to influence the situation and evaluate this for realistic and effective expectations

2.3 

Assess offender's abilities and skills to handle or function within their situation and evaluate this for degree of risk to health and welfare of self and others

2.4 

Assist the offender to identify current factors that would work for or against change and assess them for suitability and readiness to programs and services

2.5 

Explore and determine offender's influencing formal and informal support systems

2.6 

Identify and acknowledge offender's capacity to recognise and understand their situation and adapt according to new requirements and perceptions of their environment

2.7 

Identify offender's motivation to change and assess according to level of reality, expectations and experiences

3 

Determine intervention 

3.1 

Collaborate with the offender to identify intervention strategies based on offender's ability and potential to cope with their situation

3.2 

Make recommendations on intervention strategies and referral based on offender's risk factors, capacity and nature of the offending behaviour in accordance with organisational procedures

3.3 

Negotiate conditions of intervention with key stakeholders, agencies and offenders in a manner that encourages agreement and collaboration

3.4 

Provide advice and information to the offender using effective communication in accordance with organisational procedures

3.5 

Record relevant information and case notes in offender's files and report to other agencies

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 replaces and is equivalent to CSCINT004 Assess offender risks and needs.

Release 1. This is the first release of this unit of competency in the CSC Correctional Services Training Package Release 4.0

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 two separate occasions and include:

• checking and analysing information for assessment and identification of risks and needs
• adapting service or program responses to identified needs
• giving feedback on expectations
• collaborating with offender to implement identified goals agreements and outcomes
• identifying limits of role and referring to appropriate services as required.

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:

• relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures related to offender management
• code of conduct
• duty of care
• offender management system
• effective verbal and nonverbal communication techniques and strategies
• strategies to determine indicators of risk, responsivity and need
• indicators of risks to offenders including:

• suicide and self-harm
• mental health factors
• drug and substance use
• risk from others
• risk to others
• sexual abuse
• anger management
• domestic family violence
• nature of the offence
• media attention or public interest
• potential for repeat offence and re-offending
• trauma history
• mental health factors
• family crisis
• cultural and diversity factors
• housing/homelessness

• partner agencies
• intervention strategies
• analysis strategies.

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 workplace operational situations. Where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that reflect workplace conditions.

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:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations
• acceptable means of simulation assessment
• applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals
• relevant materials, tools, equipment and PPE currently used in industry.