Course Title: Work effectively in the community sector

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2013

Course Code: HWSS8117C

Course Title: Work effectively in the community sector

School: 365T Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4313 - Certificate IV in Community Development

Course Contact : Julian Silverman

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4578

Course Contact Email:julian.silverman@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

None.

Course Description

Students will study the skills and knowledge needed to work in a community work or service delivery setting with communities, clients, carers, staff, visitors, suppliers and others. This will enable them to meet the work requirements of the community work/service delivery field.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCCS411C Work effectively in the community sector

Element:

Communicate effectively in a community work or service delivery setting

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Develop, review and revise personal skills in communication as an on-going priority to address work role requirements
2.2 Exercise caution in communicating personal information by oral and written means to ensure confidentiality of client and staff matters
2.3 Routinely apply workplace protocols and procedures in all workplace communication to support accuracy and understanding of information provided and received
2.4 Recognise individual and cultural differences and make any adjustments in communication needed to facilitate the achievement of identified outcomes
2.5 Conduct interpersonal communication with clients and colleagues in a manner that enhances a person-centred or community-centred approach consistent with work role requirements
2.6 Take appropriate measures to resolve conflict and interpersonal differences in the workplace

Element:

Demonstrate commitment to relevant values and philosophy underpinning work in the sector

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Demonstrate consideration and understanding of the underpinning values and philosophy of the sector and the work area
4.2 Demonstrate a commitment to access and equity principles in work in the sector
4.3 Identify personal values and attitudes and take into account when implementing work activities

Element:

Maintain work standards

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Identify relevant organisation policies and procedures relating to awards, standards and legislative requirements of own work role and clarify any uncertainties with appropriate personnel
5.2 Contribute to identifying and implementing improved work practices
5.3 Comply with relevant accreditation and standards applying to work undertaken
5.4 Demonstrate understanding and focus on achieving organisation goals and objectives in all work undertaken
5.5 Respond positively to changes to improve work practices and procedures in accordance with organisation requirements
5.6 Identify issues requiring mandatory notification and report to supervisor and/or an appropriate authority
5.7 Reflect and identify own scope of practice within each work context

Element:

Reflect on own practice

Performance Criteria:

7.1 Undertake self-evaluation in conjunction with supervisors and/or peers
7.2 Provide and receive open and evaluative feedback to and from co-workers
7.3 Actively seek constructive feedback relevant to work role and accept it non-defensively

Element:

Take responsibility for personal skill development

Performance Criteria:

6.1 Seek advice from appropriate persons on areas for skill and knowledge development
6.2 Identify options for accessing relevant skill development opportunities and initiate action in consultation with manager
6.3 Undertake designated skill and knowledge development and maintenance activities of the organisation
6.4 Identify and prioritise personal work goals in accordance with organisation requirements

Element:

Work effectively within the community services system

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Develop knowledge of different sectors involving community work and/or service delivery and how inter-relationships between these sectors affect own work
3.2 Work with awareness of the roles of various organisations involved in community work and/or service delivery
3.3 Demonstrate respect for workers from different sectors, levels and agencies within the industry
3.4 Gain and maintain awareness of current issues influencing community work and/or service delivery, including issues for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Element:

Work ethically

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Follow ethical guidelines in decision-making in all work undertaken with an awareness of potential ethical complexity in own work role
1.2 Reflect understanding and compliance with the principles of duty of care and legal responsibilities in all work undertaken
1.3 Refer any breach or non-adherence to standard procedures or adverse event to appropriate personnel
1.4 Maintain confidentiality of any client matter in line with organisation policy and procedure, regulatory requirements and/or code of practice
1.5 Show respect for rights and responsibilities of others through considered application of work practices
1.6 Reflect current working knowledge and understanding of employee and employer rights and responsibilities in all work undertaken
1.7 Recognise, avoid and/or address any conflict of interest

Learning Outcomes


  


Details of Learning Activities

You will attend an all-day workshop in which you will participate in activities including discussions and presentations related to engaging communities in the community development process as part of specific initiatives. You will be presented with information relating to the central themes of the unit including theories and skills relating to the relevant values and philosophy underpinning work in the community sector. Self-directed study activities to be completed outside of the workshop include taking responsibility for your personal skill development and reflecting on your own practice.


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 4
 Class Content Learning Elements
Work effectively in the community sector This workshop will enable students to reflect upon their own personal values and work practices relative to those within the community sector. They will achieve an understanding of key legislation and its relevance to the community sector and the principles that underlie these laws. Students will undertake a range of classroom-based activities in which they will reflect on their own current practice and plan their future skills development. 1. Work ethically and communicate effectively in a community work or service delivery setting
2. Demonstrate commitment to relevant values and philosophy underpinning work in the sector
3. Maintain work standards
4. Take responsibility for personal skill development
5. Reflect on own practice


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access to the library resources.


References


Other Resources

You will be issued a reading kit that includes links to relevant web resources upon commencement of this course. It will contain articles and instructional materials that relate to this workshop and it will be developed in consultation with industry experts in the community development sector.

Web links for this workshop:
Voluntary work activities in the community sector – Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR)
http://www.deewr.gov.au/Employment/JSA/EmploymentServices/WorkExperience/Pages/VWorkActivities.aspx#key


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is ongoing throughout the course. Assessment will incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of knowledge and skills and will include:

- Self and Supervisor Assessment
- Evaluation Report


Assessment Tasks

In order to demonstrate competence in this course you will need to satisfactorily complete the following assessment tasks:

Self and Supervisor Assessment
You and your supervisor will be asked to evaluate your ability to describe how you work within a community services context. You will be asked to demonstrate that you can uphold ethical standards and communicate effectively within your community work place. This will include demonstrating a commitment to relevant values and concepts underpinning work in the sector and taking responsibility for personal skill development and reflect on your own practice.

Evaluation report
You will complete a report evaluating the effectiveness of your community development project. This will include evaluating your ability to follow ethical guidelines in all decision-making, and demonstrating that you routinely apply workplace protocols and procedures in all workplace communication to support accuracy and understanding of information. You will complete this by including minutes selected minutes of meetings. Records of these meetings will be presented (with data identifying individuals excised) will be presented along with your report.


Assessment Matrix

Course Overview: Access Course Overview