Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Key people includes those who are important in the community and may include:
community leaders
community elders
colleagues in correctional services
staff of other agencies and services, such as health workers, police, counsellors, legal services, courts and community services
offender support networks and family.
Community programs will include relevant examples of those:
developed and managed by the community
provided by other agencies and services
developed and supported by workers as part of their responsibility
managed by the correctional department
designed for preventative purposes
designed to ensure sentence requirements are met
designed for rehabilitation and post-sentence support.
This unit focuses on a distinct community of interests amongst its members. Communities:
will include those belonging to a specific location, language or social relationship
may be traditional, mission-based or may exist within a wider general community and be rural, remote or urban
will vary in size significantly and may be no bigger than a family or a group sharing a common culture within an institution
will have varied structures and management, from self-contained and autonomous to an association of interests within the total community.
Cultural requirements will include relevant applications of:
allowance for the impact of 'skin groups', 'language groups' and 'kin relationships'
respect for family structures and relationships
respect for the authority of families, elders and councils
different concepts of time
adaptation of verbal and non-verbal language, gestures, manner and local language
different perceptions of the world, and individuals and relationships in it
interpretations of the nature of cause and effect in different cultural contexts
interpreting the social, historic, spiritual and environmental factors that have an impact on the lives of the community
complying with taboos regarding using the name of deceased people and the use of alternative names
traditional laws and cultural restrictions
allowances for sorry business, mourning and funerals
respecting gender business, and what is and isn't allowable
traditional business and what people are able to do and not do
knowledge of history of events and incidents
respecting obligations
punishment and pay backs.

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.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit has been designed to allow for flexible interpretations of concepts such as community and is intended to be contextualised for the different environments and requirements in which work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait offenders, families and communities is undertaken.
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 providing support to offenders in Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities effectively as part of a coordinated team, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and changes to routine
copies of legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines relating to providing support to offenders in Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities
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.