Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:18 PM AWST
22/07/2026 8:18 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Assess offender risks and needs
Assess offender risks and needs
Unit of competency
National Code
CSCINT404A
CSCINT404A
State Code
S5954
S5954
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
22/07/2014
Field of Education
090513 - Counselling
Original Release Date
22/07/2014
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required for specialist offender assessment staff responsible for structured assessment and review of offenders, to identify immediate and longer-term risks and needs and ensure allocation and referral of offenders to suitable and effective intervention and support services.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1Observe offender behaviour and presentation.
- 1.1 Note the offender's emotional state within the context of known personal history and circumstances.
- 1.2 Observe the offender's physical presentation, note discrepancies and inconsistencies, and review observations against other information.
- 1.3 Research and check information about the offender's history, behaviour and emotional state from analysis of his/her information and behaviour and from offender files and reports.
- 1.4 Explore the offender's perception of his/her situation through questioning and responses to information.
- 1.5 Determine a general assessment of functioning according to recognised criteria and note indicators of impairment.
- 1.6 Use a range of communication strategies to develop understanding of offender's experiences, attitudes and needs.
2Analyse nature and degree of risk.
- 2.1 Check and confirm offender's understanding of the nature of his/her circumstances using a range of communication and analysis strategies.
- 2.2 Explore offender's perceptions of his/her capacity to influence the situation and evaluate this for realistic and effective expectations.
- 2.3 Check offender's abilities and skills to handle or function within his/her situation and evaluate this for degree of risk to health and welfare.
- 2.4 Identify current factors that would work for or against change and assess them for significance to programs and services.
- 2.5 Explore and determine offender's perceptions of the roles of influential and relevant people and systems.
- 2.6 Identify and acknowledge offender's capacity to recognise and understand his/her situation and adapt according to new requirements and perceptions of the correctional environment.
- 2.7 Identify offender's motivation to change and assess this according to level of reality, expectations and experiences.
3Determine intervention.
- 3.1 Identify intervention strategies based on offender's ability and potential to cope with his/her situation and assess resources and barriers relevant to the offending behaviour and risks.
- 3.2 Determine offender's receptivity, level of awareness of his/her situation, openness to new information and capacity to learn and make behavioural changes, from a range of observation, checking of information and communication strategies.
- 3.3 Assess offender's risk factors and the nature of the offending behaviour and make recommendations on intervention strategies and referral according to degree of urgency, available programs and services and offender suitability.
- 3.4 Negotiate conditions of intervention with key people and agencies and with offender in a manner that encourages agreement and cooperation.
- 3.5 Provide advice and information to offender in language and style designed to promote understanding, provide reassurance and minimise anxiety, stress and confusion.
- 3.6 Include records of the offender's presentation and all relevant information in offender's file and relevant case notes and report to other agencies as required by organisational guidelines and practices.
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.
Needs may include:
basic language and literacy skills
living skills
special accommodation
behaviour change and management
addiction services - drug and alcohol, gambling
health, fitness and hygiene
mental health
disabilities - physical, intellectual, sensory and developmental
training and education
employment
family support
relationship development
legal advice representation
cultural support.
Intervention strategies will depend on the nature and degree of the risks and should include:
individual counselling
group therapy
group support
referral to external specialists and agencies
special monitoring
referral to special units
specialist assessment
medical treatment
internal support, such as buddy systems.
Offender's risk factors will depend on the nature and degree of the risks and will include risk of:
suicide and self-harm
risk from others
physical injury
risk to others
illness and infection
sexual abuse
risk taking and death
criminal actions
drug and substance abuse
anger management
domestic violence
nature of the offence
potential for repeat offence and re-offending.
Needs may include:
basic language and literacy skills
living skills
special accommodation
behaviour change and management
addiction services - drug and alcohol, gambling
health, fitness and hygiene
mental health
disabilities - physical, intellectual, sensory and developmental
training and education
employment
family support
relationship development
legal advice representation
cultural support.
Intervention strategies will depend on the nature and degree of the risks and should include:
individual counselling
group therapy
group support
referral to external specialists and agencies
special monitoring
referral to special units
specialist assessment
medical treatment
internal support, such as buddy systems.
Offender's risk factors will depend on the nature and degree of the risks and will include risk of:
suicide and self-harm
risk from others
physical injury
risk to others
illness and infection
sexual abuse
risk taking and death
criminal actions
drug and substance abuse
anger management
domestic violence
nature of the offence
potential for repeat offence and re-offending.
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
ability to assess offender risks and needs 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 by an individual responsible for assessing the risks and needs of offenders as part of a coordinated team, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and changes to routine
copies of legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines relating to assessing offender risks and needs
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.
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
ability to assess offender risks and needs 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 by an individual responsible for assessing the risks and needs of offenders as part of a coordinated team, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and changes to routine
copies of legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines relating to assessing offender risks and needs
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.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUY69 | CSCINT004 | Assess offender risks and needs | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W995 | CSC40112 | Certificate IV in Correctional Practice | Qualification |