Course Title: Work with young offenders in justice environments

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2016

Course Code: JUST5718

Course Title: Work with young offenders in justice environments

School: 365T Global, Urban and Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6124 - Advanced Diploma of Justice

Course Contact: Irene Pagliarella, Program Manager

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4581

Course Contact Email: irene.pagliarella@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Dr.Marg Liddell
Ph:  99252506 
E: marg.liddell@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 50

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

Successful completion of, or demonstrated equivalence to, the following units of competency:

VU20861 Apply criminal law within justice environments
VU20862 Work with family violence contexts within justice environments
VU20863 Work with culturally diverse clients within justice environments
VU20864 Work with conflict resolution and mediation processes within justice environments
VU20865 Apply management and leadership within justice environments

And ONE of the following electives:

LGACOM406A Investigate alleged breaches of legislation and prepare documentation
CHCAOD402B Work effectively in the alcohol and other drugs sector
 

Course Description

In this course you will develop the skills and knowledge required to determine, implement and review ethical strategies for working with young offenders in the justice system.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VU20860 Work with young offenders in justice environments

Element:

1. Examine youth justice systems and provisions

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Historical and contemporary developments in youth justice work are researched and discussed

1.2 Contemporary theories and discourse on the causes and treatment of youth offendingare reviewed for application to practice

1.3 Current legislative framework for youth justice are delineated

Out of home care and detention options for children and young people are examined 

Element:

2. Respond to young offenders and children at risk within justice contexts

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Treatment programs and support services for young offenders and children at risk are identified and evaluated against client needs

2.2 Supervision practices and strategies that are children- and young people-focused are determined and applied

2.3 Prevention strategies for re-offending behaviours are determined applied

Key practice standardswithin youth justice are reviewed    

Element:

3. Apply ethical practices that protect the rights of children and young people

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Protocolsand duty of care compliance requirementsfor working with children and young people are identified and applied

3.2 Confidentiality compliance requirements are strictly maintained

Strategies for addressing and/or reporting ethical concerns about work practices around children and young people are developed in consultation with relevant people    

Element:

4. Monitor and review response strategies

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Services, support and resources are regularly monitored against stated requirements, objectives and obligations, and any necessary periodic adjustments implemented

4.2 Outcomes are critically reviewed in consultation with relevant people, and where possible in conjunction with client, and findings documented according to organizational and legislative requirements

Findings are used to inform future practice    


Learning Outcomes


On completion of the course, you will be able to:
• Develop and implement treatment and/or supervision strategies, for young offender clients within justice environments
• Apply key practice standards, relevant legislation and ethical requirements to development and implementation of strategies
• Monitor and review of implementation to order to make any necessary adjustments and to inform improved future practice
• Provide knowledge of current theories, approaches, debates and practices about effective and ethical responses to young offenders in justice contexts
• Provide knowledge of relevant legislative and statutory requirements
 


Details of Learning Activities

You will participate in a variety of learning activities (in class and out of class).  These may include the following;

·         class exercises to review discussions/lectures

·         practical demonstrations

·         analysis/critique of relevant reading material

·         group projects

·         peer learning

·         guest lecture/presentation

·         peer teaching and class presentations

·         group discussion

·         research

·         independent project based work

·         group activities/projects

·         ‘workshopping’ of student projects including peer/lecturer feedback

 


Teaching Schedule

Week One: Overview of youth justice, course guide overview and assessments.

  • The age of criminal responsibility.
  • Doli Incapax and the differences between Adult and Youth Justice system.

Week Two: Theories of punishment and youth sentencing principles

  • Welfare vs. the Justice model.
  • Risk, needs and responsivity (this might be discussed later).

Week Three: Sentencing hierarchies:

  • Sentencing principles.
  • Diversion and Rehabilitation: Guest lecturer, hopefully a magistrate

Week Four: Restorative justice:

  • Diversion and group conferencing - guest lecturers from the field- TBA
  • Balancing risk verses offending

Week Five: The Youth Justice system: community based units and youth justice centres.

  • Country and metropolitan perspectives TBA
  • Profiles of young people in the youth justice system
    • Cultural diversity and violent offending
    • Dual diagnosis and patterns of offending.

Week Six: Pre-Sentence Report writing and example.

  • PSR video/interview (Critical for Summative Assessment two)

Semester Break

  • Summative Assessment One due end of week 6

Week Seven: The Victorian Child Protection System
Week Eight: Risk assessment of young people who self-injure: indicators and issues.

  • Summative Assessment Two Dueweek Eight

Week Nine: Working with young people in the Youth Justice System: comparing Victoria and Wales (UK)

  • Advocacy and risk Management.
  • VONIY assessment tool

Week Ten: Working with trauma - young men and women.

Week Eleven: Youth Justice System and risk management: working with complex groups

Week Twelve: A holistic approach: managing young people in the Youth Justice system

  • Summative Assessment Task Three due week 13 – VONIY & CSP

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE WEEKLY LECTURE PROGRAM MAY BE ALTERED AS REQUIRED

NOTE: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and   resources.
 

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.

We expect that students engage in learning through a combination of lectures, individual reading and study, meaningful feedback on written work and structured activities that encourage critical thinking and the development of discipline specific knowledge and practical skills.

Students are active participants and this course prioritises learning by doing.  It is essential that students take ownership of their studies and work on developing skills as independent learners in time allocated away from lectures and class time.

As a student you need to demonstrate both knowledge and practical skills relevant to the course content within the classroom environment. Engagement with educators and other students is critical to you maximising learning opportunities and achieving satisfactory results. Participation in classroom discussion and activities will allow educators to apply observational assessment during role-plays, exercises and assignments and provide you with feedback.

You will be required to sign an attendance sheet and if you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to advise your educator and complete any written tasks that may have been allocated.

Students are required to carefully plan and use their time productively and submit assessments as required.  All assessments tasks should be researched and drafted well in advance of the set submission dates.  

The course will use blended learning techniques, including; lectures, discussions, activities in class and learner directed activities supported by a range of resources available in class and on Blackboard system

Feedback - You will receive verbal and written feedback on your work.  This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects. Student feedback at RMIT (unresolved)

Student Progress

Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential.Student progress policy (unresolved)


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

A recommended text book is;
Juvenile Justice: Youth and Crime in Australia, 4th edition. Authors: Cunneeen and White, Oxford University Press.


References

There is no prescribed text for this course. All required readings and case studies will be available either:
Via My RMIT/Studies Blackboard
Handed out in class as a hard copy
Accessible by CD/DVD
Via the internet/assigned website
Accessible via the RMIT Library


Other Resources

PowerPoint’s for the lectures will generally be made available AFTER the class; however these are not a replacement for attending lectures.  Lectures may have additional information, activities or visual material, which will not be available through Blackboard.

 

It is essential that you access the Blackboard site at least once a week, as announcements and emails are considered an effective means of communication between educators and students.

 

GUSS Skills Central (http://Gussskillscentral.edu.au/) is a site developed specifically for students in the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies at RMIT. It provides links to a range of resources for supporting student work on assessments and negotiating university studies more generally.

 


Overview of Assessment

Assessments may incorporate a variety of methods including role plays, observations, lectures, tutorials, class discussion, reports, group/individual training workshops, and audio-visual presentations.


Assessment Tasks

The assessment activities in this course are:

Formative Assessment:

Students are required to visit a Children’s Court sitting and observe a Children’s Court matter. This task is to be completed outside of class time and will form part of your Summative Assessment One (Pre-Sentence Report). 

Summative Assessments:
There are three Summative Assessment Tasks.

Task 1: Written Reflection on your Children’s Court visit (20%: 600 word) DUE WEEK 6 – end of semester breakFriday 11.59pm.  This written reflection report is related to your visit to the Children’s Court. – see assessment summary and the required template

Task 2: Pre-Sentence Report (40%) DUE WEEK 8Friday 11.59pm.  Students will need to attend Week 6 to watch a video/interview regarding a client for the PSR completion. Students will be required to write a PSR (1500 words) on the client provided using the TEMPLATE/PROFORMA provided prior the Week 6 class.

Task 3 Client Assessment Plan Summary and Client Service Plan (CSP) and VONIY Total 40%. DUE WEEK 13,Friday 11.59pm.  Students will need to complete a VONIY Risk Assessment Tool & Assessment and Summary and CSP Goals on a client provided (1500 words). The templates for each of these tasks will be provided to students and must be completed as they appear.Further detailed information on the Pre-Sentence report and Client Service Plan + VONIY will be provided during lectures/workshops.

ALL REPORTS MUST BE IN REPORT FORMAT, USING SPECIFIED HEADINGS. YOU MUST NOT USE DOT POINTS.

PLEASE NOTE THAT FAILURE TO USE THE SPECIFIED HEADINGS WILL RESULT IN ZERO MARKS FOR EACH TASK WHERE YOU HAVE NOT COMPLIED.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS RE UPLOADING YOUR ASSESSEMENT TASK ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. All Assessment tasks will need to be uploaded onto the Blackboard  Shell.  No hard copy papers will be accepted.

2. You must ensure that you include your surname first then your first name, student number and program on each assessment task.

3. You must upload your assessment task using your surname then student number.  

Students must achieve competency IN ALL assessmet tasks to pass this subject.

 


Assessment Matrix

This is available via MyRMIT/Studies 

The assessments have been designed to cover all Learning Outcomes and will be graded in accordance with RMIT’s Mark Table which is as follows:

CHD

Competent with High Distinction

CDI

Competent with Distinction

CC

Competent with Credit

CAG

Competency Achieved - Graded

NYC

Not Yet Competent

DNS

Did not Submit for Assessment

 

Grades which apply to course delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment (not-graded) 

CA

Competency Achieved

NYC

Not Yet Competent

DNS

Did Not Submit For Assessment

Assessment Deadlines

Any due date for any assignment is to be considered a deadline. You can submit work at any time prior to the submission date, but it must be into the Administration office by close of business (5pm) of the day the submission is due. 

Assessment Format

As a student of the Justice VE program, it is expected that you adhere to the following criteria regarding essays/research/reports;

1.     For an ADVANCED DIPLOMA written assessment task/s – no less than 2500 words, 5 academic references and ONE in-text citation per paragraph.

2.     A paragraph is usually between 200 – 250 words.

3.     A sentence is usually between 20 - 25 words.

4.     American Psychological Association (APA) Referencing Style is the EXPECTED referencing style for the school of Criminal Justice (VE).

5.     We highly recommend that all students download a copy of the APA Referencing Guide which is available on the Blackboard or purchase a Pocket Guide to APA style from the campus bookshop.

6.     APA Referencing system is to be used and all in-text citations must be recorded according to APA standards.

7.     An academic reference is a scholarly source (journal articles that are peer reviewed, a published book, an approved government or organisation website etc).

8.     Written reports, research projects or essays are to demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and familiarity with the prescribed or negotiated topics

9.     It is expected that all submitted work will be well written, with clear and consistent grammar, expression and punctuation. It must be well structured and address the issues raised in the chosen topic in a logical ordered and organised manner.

10.  Written submissions must demonstrate appropriate preparation, reading and research.

11.  Double or 1.5 spacing and a font size of 10-12 must be used in either Arial or Times Roman. Do not submit double paged assessments.

12.  All assignments to be submitted via the Drop Box (Building 37, level 2) and submitted via email to the Advanced Diploma email address to verify submission (advdipjusticeassignments@rmit.edu.au).  Assessments must be submitted by 5pm (close of business).

Written assessments will also be submitted with a Turnitin Report attached (as instructed by your Educator).

Other Information

Please refer to RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters

Extensions

All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by a due date, you will need to apply for an extension.

In accordance with RMIT policy, you may apply for an extension where there have been unexpected or extenuating circumstances, e.g.

·         Hospital admission, serious injury, severe asthma, severe anxiety or depression. This does not include minor illness such as a cold, period pain or hay fever.

·         Loss or bereavement – e.g. death of a close family member, family/relationship breakdown.

·         Hardship/trauma – e.g. victim of crime, sudden loss of income or employment, severe disruption to domestic arrangements.

You must keep a copy of your assessment until the graded submission has been returned or marks have been posted.

All email communications will be sent to your RMIT student email address.

An extension up to seven calendar days may be granted if good reason can be demonstrated. Include supporting evidence (such as medical certificates) with your application.

Extensions beyond seven calendar days cannot be granted by Course coordinators or individual educators. 

Extensions will not be granted where the relevant Course Coordinator/Program Manager is not satisfied that the student took reasonable measures to avoid the circumstances that contributed to the student being unable to submit the progressive assessment. 

Longer extensions 

Extension of time longer than 7 days can only be granted through special consideration.

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.

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://www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration

Assignment Submissions:

The submission of assessments on the due date is the responsibility solely of the student. Students should not leave assignment preparation until the last minute and must plan their workloads so as to be able to meet advertised or notified deadlines. 
 

The penalty for assignments submitted late will be 5% of the maximum mark per day late or part thereof.

Weekends and holidays will attract the same penalty as weekdays.

Assignments that are late by 7 days or more will not be marked and will be awarded zero.

Cover Sheet for Submissions
All assessment items are to be submitted with a University Assessment Coversheet. Students are responsible for ensuring they complete all sections of the Cover Sheet and that they have agreed to the Academic Integrity Declaration

Retention of Assessments
The University is required to retain all essays, assignments, and other assessment materials for a minimum of six months from the date of issue of results.

At the completion of the six-month period, students can collect their assessments by prior arrangement with their Educator in Building 37, level 4, room 13.

In the event that assessment material is not collected within the time period, it will be destroyed. Material that relates to appeals that have not yet been finally determined will not destroyed.

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. 
Student Complaints Policy: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/policies/studentcomplaintspolicy 
Student complaints Procedure: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=i1lexipvjt22 
Student Complaints Form: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/v4ujvmyojugxz.pdf

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:

You believe an error has occurred in the calculation of the grade; or,
You believe the assessment did not comply with criteria published in the Course Guide; or,
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://www.rmit.edu.au/policies/academic#assessment

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism - RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy go to Academic Integrit

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://www.rmit.edu.au/library/info-trek/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 – and the RMIT Student Discipline Statute and Regulations - http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=11jgnnjgg70y (unresolved)

Plagiarism Software

The originality verification software Turnitin may be used in this course. For details, see: http://www.turnitin.com

Course Overview: Access Course Overview