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.