Course Title: Identify and apply technical information to assist clients with financial issues
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2018
Course Code: BAFI5233C
Course Title: Identify and apply technical information to assist clients with financial issues
School: 365T Global, Urban and Social Studies
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5360 - Diploma of Financial Counselling
Course Contact: Jo Wallwork
Course Contact Phone: =61 3 9925 3983
Course Contact Email: mary-josephine.wallwork@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Nominal Hours: 80
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
None.
Course Description
This course describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and interpret specific legislation and regulations to support client service and broader work practice. The skills and knowledge developed during this course will support the immediate and ongoing needs of clients in the context of a strengths-based and client-focused financial counselling model.
This course is clustered with four (4) other courses:
- CHCFIN001 Facilitate the financial counselling process
- CHCFIN003 Develop and use financial counselling tools and techniques
- CHCLEG002 Interpret and use legal information
- CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice
These five courses are delivered and assessed together.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CHCFIN002 Identify and apply technical information to assist clients with financial issues |
Element: |
E1. Review client income sources |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Source and review available information about client income 1.2 Identify potential income sources and entitlements for client 1.3 Identify and inform client of potential for additional or different income sources or entitlements to improve their financial situation |
Element: |
E2. Ensure client is receiving appropriate information regarding living expenses |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Assist the client to review and document their approach to managing living expenses 2.2 Identify client’s options and rights for managing living expenses 2.3 Provide additional information to address gaps in client knowledge about living expenses and available support |
Element: |
E3. Facilitate client understanding of consumer protections and their legal rights |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Clarify client’s understanding of their rights regarding legal and consumer protection 3.2 Discuss identified legal and consumer protection issues to highlight key areas that may require action 3.3 Provide additional information to address gaps in client knowledge about their rights in relevant legal and consumer protection areas 3.4 Identify and provide appropriate opportunities for referral where required |
Element: |
E4. Evaluate types of debt presented by client |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Review contracts and associated documentation to clarify validity of client debt 4.2 Review areas of client debt and seek further information to clarify types of debt and the stage of the debt 4.3 Provide information to assist client to understand the implications of different types of debt that may be impacting on them |
Element: |
E5. Identify options in regard to debt and debt recovery |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1 Identify impact of debt and debt recovery processes on client and their financial situation 5.2 Review a range of options relevant to debt and debt recovery and identify potential consequences in relation to the client and their financial situation 5.3 Identify appropriate strategies for debt management to address client’s particular situation |
Element: |
E6. Identify appropriate referral and support services |
Performance Criteria: |
6.1 Proactively identify and assess type of support services needed by client based on analysis of financial information 6.2 Provide current and accurate information about, and refer client to, services to address client needs |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements. By applying these skills and this knowledge you will be able to analyse and use technical and legal information and develop the appropriate written tools and resources to assist individuals to understand their rights and make informed decisions about financial issues within the context of a strengths-based and client-focused financial counselling model.
Details of Learning Activities
In-class activities:
- teacher directed group activities/projects
- peer teaching
- group discussion
- class exercises to review discussions/lectures
- role play activities
Out-of-class activities:
- independent project based work
- online and other research
- independent study
Teaching Schedule
| Workshop 1 |
Consent Ethical considerations
Role – client’s expectations Role & responsibilities of both client and FC Referrals – (this will be picked up further and in other units) Legal requirements – such as confidentiality Discussion of WIL placement, how/why this is assessed, what assessment activities for WIL |
| Workshop 2 |
How to collect financial information and other relevant information Examine and analyse information/client material Contracts Highlight important features of financial position Assist client to identify areas for action Client’ s legal rights and responsibilities Assessing a client’s issue/s Options (including debt) Documentation (legal) Debt and debt recovery Introduction: credit reporting
|
| Workshop 3 |
Developing Action Plans/Debt Recovery and EDR (CALC for Debt Collection & Going to Court for a Debt) How to identify the need for legal advice Options Consumer protection and legal rights Introduce Reflective practice |
| Workshop 4 |
Consumer Law (CALC) and Fines Infringement Court/Special Circumstances Bankruptcy – AFSA Debt agreements Options/actions Resources and Referral
Appropriate resources for client (referrals) |
| Workshop 5 |
Credit Law – Case Studies and Assessment Going to court for a debt Credit Law/Other areas of law (CALC) and Bankruptcy (AFSA) National Hardship Register Courts Process – Small Claims: where do clients go/ who attends this/ Home repossession Court Reflective practice |
| Workshop 6 |
Ongoing Support/Reflective Practice/Resources and WIRE Micro-finance: Good Shepherd to present re NILS, STEP UP, etc.
|
| Workshop 7 | Review and Final Assessment activity (in-class) |
|
Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources. |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through:
- Case study scenarios and questions
- Knowledge questions
- Research projects
- Simulated activities such as role play activities
- the 220-hour work placement
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task 1: Online Quiz and Written Questions
Due date: 25 February 2018
Assessment Task 2: Case studies and Written Questions
Due date: 15 April 2018
Assessment Task 3: Case studies and Written Questions
Due date: 27 May 2018
Assessment Task 4: Case studies and Online Quiz
Due date: 8 July 2018
Assessment Task 5: Case studies and Written Questions
Due date: 12 August 2018
Assessment Task 6: Personal Development Plan and Online Quiz
Due date: 14 October 2018
Assessment Task 7: Observation/Role Play
In-class assessment October 31 and November 1
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These matrices are available with the assessment tasks on Canvas.
Other Information
Other Information
Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: rmit.edu.au/students
Attendance
It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.
Applying for Special Consideration
If you are seeking an extension of more than seven calendar days (from the original due date) you must lodge an Application for Special Consideration form, preferably prior to, but no later than two working days after the official due date. Late applications will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances. For information about Special Consideration and how to apply, see: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration
Assessment Appeals
If you believe your assessment result or final result is wrong please contact the course coordinator and provide the reason why you think your result is incorrect. Valid reasons for seeking a review of results include:
- a) You believe an error has occurred in the calculation of the grade; or,
- b) You believe the assessment did not comply with criteria published in the Course Guide; or,
- c) You believe the assessment did not comply with University Policies on Assessment (i.e. an error in process has occurred).
Full details of the procedure (including appeals procedure) can be located at this RMIT site: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/policies/academic#assessment
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity means honesty and responsibility in scholarship through respecting the work of others whilst having the freedom to build new insights, new knowledge and ideas. RMIT University upholds the values of academic integrity as fundamental to the scholarship undertaken by all members of its community. Whenever you refer to another person’s research or ideas (either by directly quoting or paraphrasing them) you must acknowledge your source.
If you are even in doubt about how to properly cite a reference, consult your lecturer or the academic integrity website: http://www.rmit.edu.au/academicintegrity
The RMIT library provides tools to assist with your referencing http://www1.rmit.edu.au/library/referencing
Plagiarism and Collusion
Plagiarism and collusion constitute extremely serious academic misconduct, and are forms of cheating. You are reminded that cheating, whether by fabrication, falsification of data, or plagiarism, is an offence subject to University disciplinary procedures. Plagiarism is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person as though it is your own. It is a form of cheating and is a very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University. Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic data, and oral presentations. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not appropriately cited. Plagiarism is not acceptable.
Examples of plagiarism include:
- Copying sentences or paragraphs word-for-word from one or more sources, whether published or unpublished, which could include but is not limited to books, journals, reports, theses, websites, conference papers, course notes, etc. without proper citation;
- Closely paraphrasing sentences, paragraphs, ideas or themes without proper citation;
- Piecing together text from one or more sources and adding only linking sentences;
- Copying or submitting whole or parts of computer files without acknowledging their source;
- Copying designs or works of art and submitting them as your original work;
- Copying a whole or any part of another student's work; and
- Submitting work as your own that someone else has done for you.
- Enabling Plagiarism: the act of assisting or allowing another person to plagiarise or to copy your own work is also an offence.
For further information, please see the RMIT Plagiarism Policy – http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=sg4yfqzod48g1 (unresolved) – and the RMIT Student Conduct Regulations – http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=r7a7an6qug93
Complaints Procedure:
RMIT University is committed to providing a harmonious study and work environment for all students and staff. The University recognises your right to raise concerns about academic, administrative or support services without recrimination and has policies and procedures to assist in the resolution of complaints.
Most issues are resolved at the local level and you are encouraged to take steps to resolve your issue locally. The student complaint procedure details steps to take if your problem is not resolved or you believe the response you received is unreasonable. See this link on the RMIT webpage for further information:
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/rights-and-responsibilities/complaints
Working with Children Check – This course requires a Working with Children Check
Police Check – This course requires a satisfactory Police Check
Course Overview: Access Course Overview
Course Overview: Access Course Overview