Introduction
This topic identifies the information to be covered during the CWA sentence induction.
The following topics should be covered in the induction:
- introduction
- rules and regulations
- reporting and sentence process
- enforcement action following non-compliance
- incentives
- health and hygiene
- safety
- privacy
- complaints procedure, and
- general information and evaluation.
The information required for each topic is detailed on the following pages.
Induction introduction
Cover the following information in the introduction:
- the purpose and nature of the sentence:
- to hold the offender accountable
- to promote a sense of responsibility, and
- to provide compensation to the community in the form of work
- other community-based sentences, and
- who will be involved, including their roles and responsibilities.
Rules and regulations
Cover the following information in the rules and regulations topic:
- legislative requirements
- general standard of behaviour whilst on placement, and
- rules regarding remission.
Reporting and sentence process
Cover the following information in the reporting and sentence process topic:
- how the sentence will be managed
- reporting requirements
- signing of work sheets
- enforcement action
- notification of a change of address
- three-monthly reviews
- what to do in the case of:
-
- illness
- bereavement, or
- special occasions
- excused attendance (no hours credited)
- request for change of placement/work party, or alteration of hours, and
- what to do in the case of other competing requirements (e.g. employment, courses required for unemployment benefit entitlement).
Enforcement for non- compliance
Cover the following information in the enforcement topic:
- offences relating to breach
- the need to continue reporting while breach action is being taken
- enforcement action following their failure to comply with the requirements of the sentence, and
- breach and variation or cancellation action.
Incentives
Cover the following information in the incentives topic:
- general sentence incentives, such as:
- placement type
- learning new work skills
- contributing to the community, and
- the chance to change and accept responsibility, and
- remission of hours (application of remission rules).
Health and hygiene
Cover the following information in the health and hygiene topic:
- special personal health requirements
- general health requirements
- communicable medical conditions, including;
- Hepatitis A, B and C, and
- HIV/AIDS
- blood contamination
- washing cups etc. on work sites, and
- care of medication.
Safety
Cover the following information in the safety topic:
- clothing and footwear requirements
- personal care and protection from injury and hazards
- sun care, and
- reporting accidents.
Legislative reference: Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2001.
Privacy
Cover the following information in the privacy topic:
- information storage, sharing, and access
- confidentiality and limits to confidentiality
- requesting another probation officer
- duty officer system, and
- offender booklet.
Complaints procedure
Cover the following information in the complaints procedure topic:
- complaints procedure when an offender does not agree with decisions on:
- CW placement assessment/re-assessment
- enforcement action (sanctions and/or legal action)
- variation or cancellation, or
- remitted hours
- procedure for harassment, and
- procedure for personal grievance.
General information
Cover the following information in the general information topic:
General information
- how offender and agency staff address each other
- managing childcare responsibilities
- meal breaks
- valuables
- general standard of dress
- use of the agency telephone, and
- transfers.
Monitoring and records
- notification of change of address, telephone number, etc.
- notification when subject to other community-based sentences
- sentence completion assessment, and
- any other issues that the offender may have.
