Course Title: Work within a relevant legal and ethical framework

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2013

Course Code: EMPL5930C

Course Title: Work within a relevant legal and ethical framework

School: 365T Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4262 - Certificate IV in Youth Work

Course Contact : Jennifer Brooker

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4115

Course Contact Email:jennifer.brooker@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 40

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

Not applicable.

Course Description

This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to work within a legal and ethical framework that supports duty of care requirements.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCCS400B Work within a relevant legal and ethical framework

Element:

Demonstrate an understanding of legislation and common law relevant to work role

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Demonstrate in all work, an understanding of the legal responsibilities and obligations of the work role
1.2 Demonstrate key statutory and regulatory requirements relevant to the work role
1.3 Fulfil duty of care responsibilities in the course of practice
1.4 Accept responsibility for own actions
1.5 Maintain confidentiality
1.6 Where possible, seek the agreement of the client prior to providing services
 

Element:

Follow identified policies and practices

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Perform work within identified policies, protocols and procedures
2.2 Contribute to the review and development of policies and protocols as appropriate
2.3 Work within position specifications and role responsibilities
2.4 Seek clarification when unsure of scope of practice as defined by position description or specific work role requirements
2.5 Seek clarification of unclear instructions
 

Element:

Recognise and respond when client rights and interests are not being protected

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Support the client and/or their advocate/s to identify and express their concerns
4.2 Refer client and/or their advocate/s to advocacy services if appropriate
4.3 Follow identified policy and protocols when managing a complaint
4.4 Recognise witnessed signs consistent with financial, physical, emotional, sexual abuse and neglect of the client and report to an appropriate person as required
4.5 Recognise and respond to cultural/linguistic religious diversity, for example providing interpreters where necessary
 

Element:

Work ethically

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Protect the rights of the client when delivering services
3.2 Use effective problem solving techniques when exposed to competing value systems
3.3 Ensure services are available to all clients regardless of personal values, beliefs, attitudes and culture
3.4 Recognise potential ethical issues and ethical dilemmas in the workplace and discuss with an appropriate person
3.5 Recognise unethical conduct and report to an appropriate person
3.6 Work within boundaries applicable to work role
3.7 Demonstrate effective application of guidelines and legal requirements relating to disclosure and confidentiality
3.8 Demonstrate awareness of own personal values and attitudes and take into account to ensure non-judgemental practice
3.9 Recognise, avoid and/or address any conflict of interest
 


Learning Outcomes


By completing this unit you will achieve and demonstrate competence in the following elements;

Demonstrate an understanding of legislation and common law relevant to work role
Follow identified policies and practices
Recognise and respond when client rights and interests are not being protected
Work ethically




Details of Learning Activities

Activites for this competency will include a tirp to the Children’s and Family courts as well as looking at the various pieces of legislation and court orders which students will encounter with clients during their working lives (eg  court orders, curfew, bail requirements, etc)


Teaching Schedule

Classes for this competency are held during the latter half of second semester, after students return from their second placement block. 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

RMIT Library
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/


Overview of Assessment

Students will undertake written tasks in class, such as case studies, to demonstrate their competence in this area, as well as participate in class discussions.  They are also required to answer the question ’what does working ethically mean?’   (400 - 600 words) This question is to be asked after they have participated in some work placement and is due August 13.


Assessment Tasks

Assessment for this competency will involve students undertaking and submitting three (3) case studies based upon the work done in class and the visit to the courts. 

Applying for an Extension
Extension of time for assessment tasks may be granted where circumstances beyond your control prevent submission by the published due date. An application for extension of time must be lodged with your tutor or the course coordinator as early as possible, and no later than one working day before the due date for submission.
You can apply for extension using the University’s Extension Application Form – http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf – or by emailing your course coordinator or tutor directly.
An extension of 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, tutors or the School. To apply for an extension of time greater than seven calendar days you must lodge an application for Special Consideration.

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 

Penalties for Late Submission
If you have not been granted an extension or special consideration, late submission will be penalised as follows:

  1. Assessment tasks submitted after the due date of submission shall receive a penalty of five per cent of the grades available for that assessment per day for each day late.
  2. No assessment task shall be accepted more than three weeks after the due date without special consideration.

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


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

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://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 

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