Course Title: Support counselling clients in decision-making processes

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2016

Course Code: HWSS6121C

Course Title: Support counselling clients in decision-making processes

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: 120

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 support clients to clarify their goals, explore options, and develop a course of action.

The counselling skills developed within this course will be considered in a financial counselling context.

This course is clustered with three (3) other courses:

• Establish and confirm the counselling relationship CHCCSL001
• Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills CHCCSL002
• Facilitate the counselling relationship and process CHCCSL003
• Support counselling clients in decision-making processes CHCCSL007

These four courses are delivered and assessed together. 

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	CHCCSL007 Support counselling clients in decision-making processes
Element:	E1. Assist clients to clarify goals and requirements
Performance Criteria:	1.1 Explain clearly to clients the policy on record-keeping and confidentiality 1.2 Encourage clients to identify and explore their aims, requirements and ideas 1.3 Assist clients to identify practical goals and requirements for these, and discuss with clients how goals might be modified based on client strengths 1.4 Identify situations where aims and requirements of clients cannot be met, and make referrals to alternative sources of guidance and support
Element:	E2. Explore options with clients
Performance Criteria:	2.1 Identify collaboratively potential courses of action for meeting individual aims and requirements 2.2 Identify and explore factors which could influence the preference for, and ability to achieve, a course of action 2.3 Determine and explore features and likely consequences of possible courses of action 2.4 Check client’s understanding of what is likely to be involved in each possible course of action
Element:	E3. Support client to reach decisions
Performance Criteria:	3.1 Assist clients to assess possible advantages and disadvantages of each possible course of action, and their appropriateness for meeting client requirements 3.2 Encourage clients to decide on a course of action and to consider alternatives which could be used, if necessary 3.3 Document decisions and agreed ongoing support within organisation guidelines

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 use specialised communication skills within a counselling process.  You will be able to use a structured approach to establish the counselling process; work with clients to clarify goals, options, and courses of action; and manage the counselling process to its conclusion.

Details of Learning Activities

 

In-class activities: 

• Teacher directed group activities/projects
• Peer teaching
• Group discussion
• Analysis/critique of work
• Industry speakers
• Class exercises to review discussions/lectures

Out-of-class activities: 

• Independent project based work
• Online and other research
• Independent study

Teaching Schedule

 

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.
Week	Content	Assessment due	Units of competency addressed
1	Introduction to the course structure and assessment Introduction and overview of counselling Introduction to counselling relationship Ethics Boundaries Values & Beliefs Self-care Barriers Listening skills Paraphrasing Reflection of practice Role Play Activities – Active listening	Assessment 1 Due: 24 March 2016 (in class activity)	CHCCSL001 E1. E2. E3.
2	Stages of counselling Open Communication Working with clients Working as a financial counsellor and the role of counselling with the clients Rapport building Supporting the client’s Working with the client’s concerns and expectations Empathy and its place as a FC  Assessment 1- Role Play  (in class activity)	Assessment 2 Due 13 April 2016	CHCCSL001 E1. E2. E3.
3	Understanding open and closed question Working with client strength (strengths-based approach) Opening barriers Using effective communication Open and close questions  Reading Non-Verbal cues Role Play in class Reflective practice		CHCCSL002 E1. E2. E3.
4	Working as a financial counsellor and the role of counselling with the clients Listen to client story Understand sequence as a financial counselling Working with the client’s emotions Working in financial counselling - own values and beliefs Professional Development for the financial counsellor – role of FCRC Role Play in class		CHCCSL002 E1. E2. E3.
5	Client concerns  – your role Active listening Open questions Closed questions Body languages Linking their concerns to financial counselling   Reflecting back  on client concerns Monitoring where the client is at Working through the counselling and financial counselling process Supporting the client’s with an action plan Role Play in class Self-care	Assessment 3 Due 9 August 2016	CHCCSL003 E1. E2. E3. E4.
6	Code of conduct – Financial Counselling Acknowledgement of client’s story Your role as a financial counsellor Being able to identify all issues and work with the client  Reporting to your agency Case Management End the counselling session and give an outcome to the client Role Plays in class Self-Care		CHCCSL003 E1. E2. E3. E4.
7	Confidentiality The role of case-management Working with the client’s aims and goals Working through the client’s strengths Role Plays in class Self-Care	Assessment 4 Due 1 November 2016	CHCCSL007 E1. E2. E3.
8	Working thought the counselling process with the client Working on empowering the client Being solution-focused Working on alternatives with the client Referrals when needed Understanding how to end an interview Role plays in class Self care		CHCCSL007 E1. E2. E3.
9	Overview of all counselling units Self care		CHCCSL001 CHCCSL002 CHCCSL003 CHCCSL007

 

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

Overview of Assessment

Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through:

• Practical demonstration of skills
• Case study scenarios
• Written assignments/questions

Assessment Tasks

 

Assessment Task 1: Case Study and questions; Role Play (group)

Due date: 13 April 2016

Assessment Task 2: Case Study and questions; Role Play (group); Written responses

Due date: 4 July 2016

Assessment Task 3:Case Studies and questions; Role Play (group); Written responses

Due date: 9 August 2016

Assessment Task4:Case Studies and questions; Role Play (group); Written responses

Due date: 1 November 2016

Assessment Matrix

 

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These matrices are available through Program Administration.

Other Information

 

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students

Course Overview: Access Course Overview