Course Title: Provide systems advocacy services

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2017

Course Code: LAW5735C

Course Title: Provide systems advocacy services

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: 90

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 advocate and ensure that government, community and organisational systems broadly support and uphold human rights. 


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCADV005 Provide systems advocacy services

Element:

E1.Obtain, analyse and document information

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Research information about particular issues relating to client rights and interests and document accordingly

1.2 Conduct consultations with colleagues, clients, carers and other stakeholders to identify and define issues of concern

1.3 Collate information into appropriate format for communicating with, and distributing to, relevant agencies and stakeholders

Element:

E2. Work with stakeholders to develop strategies to address identified needs

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Develop and maintain close working relationships and networks with relevant stakeholders

2.2 Organise formal meetings, working groups and other activities to develop policy statements, action plans, strategies, projects and programs to address identified needs

2.3 Document appropriate, relevant and agreed plans to address needs identified with stakeholder organisations

Element:

E3. Advocate for and facilitate the implementation of strategies developed to address the rights and interests of clients

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Prepare submissions for resources to implement identified strategies, projects and action plans

3.2 Where appropriate, contribute to relevant government policy development

3.3 Work with consumers and other stakeholders to implement relevant projects and action plans

3.4 Pursue opportunities and provide comments on policy documents, legislation, project plans and other relevant documents relating to client rights and interests

Element:

E4. Contribute to service improvements

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Gather feedback from key stakeholders on access, effectiveness of services, satisfaction, service gaps and areas for improvement

4.2 Consult with stakeholders to identify culturally appropriate systems and services, and compare to current practices

4.3 Respond appropriately to breaches of rights in service delivery in line with organisation and legal complaints processes

4.4 Provide information about identified needs, possible improvements and recommendations for change to organisation and other relevant parties

4.5  Provide progress and other reports and feedback to key people according to organisation requirements

Element:

E5. Advocate to improve coordination between services

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Develop working relationships with other services and community groups to promote and advocate improved linkages and service coordination

5.2 Identify and develop appropriate strategic alliances and partnerships

5.3 Proactively participate in decision making forums, committees, working groups and other strategic opportunities to advocate for improved service provision

5.4 Collaboratively develop strategies that incorporate priorities of each organisation and address any barriers or areas of conflict

5.5 Collaboratively work to develop, implement and evaluate a framework for change

Element:

E6. Evaluate outcomes

Performance Criteria:

6.1 Review advocacy outcome in line with organisation and stakeholder objectives

6.2 Identify lessons learned and areas requiring change

6.3 Identify opportunities for continued improvement and additional strategies


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 undertake a leadership role in influencing social and system changes. You will also be able to advocate for change and continuous improvement at the organisational level to improve client outcomes and service quality.


Details of Learning Activities

1. In-class activities

  • class exercises to review discussions/lectures 
  • workshopping of students’ own projects 
  • analysis/critique of work
  • Industry speakers
  • teacher directed group activities/projects 
  • peer teaching 
  • group discussion 

2. 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.

Workshop 1
  • Introduction to the course structure and assessment
  • Priniciples of systems advocacy
  • Human rights
  • Research – how to go about researching information about particular issues relating to client/s rights and interests. This includes consulting with:
  • Colleagues
  • Clients
  • Carers
  • Other stakeholders
  • Distributing relevant information to stakeholders and relevant agencies
  • Working with stakeholders – skills required, including running meetings, working groups etc. to develop policy statements, action plans, strategies, projects and programs to address identified needs
Collaboration – what are the principles, positive aspects? 
E1. E2.
Workshop 2  
  • Implementation stage:
  • Preparing submissions for resources – implementing identified strategies, projects and action plans
  • Providing comments on policy documents, legislation, project plans, etc. relating to client/s rights and interests
  • Gathering feedback from stakeholders on access, effectiveness of services, satisfaction, service gaps and areas for improvement
  • Know about complaints processes
Provide information about identified needs, possible improvements and make recommendations for change according to organisation requirements
E3. E4.
Workshop 3  
  • Developing working relationships between services and community groups – strategic alliances and partnerships
  • Participating in decision-making forums, committees, work groups, etc
  • Identifying barriers and areas of conflict when working with 3rd parties (collaboration)
  • Evaluating outcomes:
  • Looking at organisation and stakeholder objectives in terms of lessons learned and areas requiring change
  • How to continuously improve (and why)
  • Creating new and additional strategies
E5. E6.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

RMIT will provide learning resources for this course.  Students are expected to use Blackboard to access learning resources and assessment material for this course.

Learning Resources The University Library provides extensive services, facilities and study space as well as comprehensive collections of books, periodicals and other course related materials, such as DVD’s, magazines, slides, films etc. Computer laboratories with access to a wide range of desktop publishing software are also available. The library also has an expanding virtual collection of electronic resources and networks, including product data, e-books, electronic journals and newspapers, web based tutorials, online reference and document delivery services etc., all of which are accessible on campus, and off campus 24 hours per day. More information on library resources and services can be found at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/library

If you need additional support, visit RMIT’s Learning Lab, either in person or online: http://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu/

Equitable Learning Services (ELS) provides support and equal opportunities for students with a disability, long-term illness and/or mental health condition and primary carers of individuals with a disability.The link is : https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/student-support/equitable-learning-services


Overview of Assessment

 Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through:

  • Case studies
  • Group work
  • Research project


Assessment Tasks

This course is assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment.

To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assessment tasks to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher when you have completed the assessment tasks.

You should refer to the assessment plan which is available on Blackboard for details of each assessment task and for detailed assessment criteria.

Assessment Task 1: Written project

Due date: 1st October 2017

Assessment Task 2: Presentation

Due date: 24th August & 7th September 2017

Grades that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:

CA: Competency Achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment


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: rmit.edu.au/students

Cover Sheet for Submissions
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of work submitted in hardcopy. For every piece of work submitted online you will complete an e-Declaration. The signed cover sheet or e-Declaration acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.

 

Examples of other information that could be included in this section are listed below.  Please discuss with your Program Coordinator/Manager. Information needs to be consistent across the whole program.

 

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:

  1. a) You believe an error has occurred in the calculation of the grade; or,
  2. b) You believe the assessment did not comply with criteria published in the Course Guide; or,
  3. 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;

Course Overview: Access Course Overview