Course Title: Maintain legal and ethical work practices

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2014

Course Code: HWSS5750C

Course Title: Maintain legal and ethical work practices

School: 365T Global, Urban & Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5330 - Diploma of Community Services Work

Course Contact : Zaina Nehme

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4552

Course Contact Email:zainaindira.nehme@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Julian Silverman: +61 3 9925 4578
Anne Fitzpatrick: +61 3 9925 0329

Nominal Hours: 70

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 course describes the knowledge and skills required to maintain the application of legal and ethical work practices by monitoring, coordinating and promoting their importance in providing community services and supporting duty of care requirements. This course is to be assessed in relation to the specific legal and ethical context of the work role/s and requirements to which it applies.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCCS502C Maintain legal and ethical work practices

Element:

1. Promote the importance of applying legislation and common law relevant to work role

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify and explain legal responsibilities and obligations relating to identified work role/s
1.2 Identify and explain key statutory and regulatory requirements relating to identified work role/s
1.3 Encourage staff to clarify and fulfil duty of care responsibilities in the course of practice, to accept responsibility and be accountable for own actions and to maintain confidentiality in line with organisation guidelines
1.4 Identify and promote opportunities for staff to involve clients in decision-making and to seek client agreement prior to service provision

Element:

2. Monitor application of organisation policies and practices

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Monitor work performance to ensure organisation policies, protocols and procedures are appropriately and consistently addressed
2.2 Provide information and support to initiate and contribute to the review and development of policies and protocols in line with work role
2.3 Clarify scope of work for staff to address requirements of position specifications and role responsibilities
2.4 Provide clarification for any uncertainty with regard to scope of practice in line with organisation requirements and legal and ethical guidelines
2.5 Monitor work instructions provided to staff to ensure their clarity and appropriateness in line with organisation requirements and legal and ethical guidelines

Element:

3. Monitor ethical work practices

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Monitor service delivery to ensure client rights are protected and services are delivered to clients with respect for diversity of personal values, beliefs and attitudes
3.2 Monitor staff ability to use effective problem solving techniques when exposed to competing value systems
3.3 Identify potential ethical issues and ethical dilemmas in the workplace and discuss with staff to ensure maintenance of ethical work practices
3.4 Use codes of ethics to recognise and report unethical conduct according to established protocols

Element:

4. Take corrective action when client rights and interests are not being protected

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Ensure client and/or their advocate/s are supported to identify and express their concerns
4.2 Instigate and monitor referral of client and/or their advocate/s to advocacy services as appropriate
4.3 Manage client complaint/s in line with organisation policy and protocols
4.4 Take action in line with organisation protocols to address witnessed signs or evidence consistent with financial, physical, emotional, sexual abuse and/or neglect of the client
4.5 Work with an understanding and appreciation of the role and responsibilities of legal guardians

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.


Details of Learning Activities

All courses and learning activities will be supported and complemented by RMIT’s learning management tool "Blackboard". Other essential learning activities will take place during the workshops, and you will also be required to undertake independent studies. Some of the learning activities that you will undertake are:

  • Class discussions
  • Newspaper article analysis
  • Group work
  • Case Study discussion
  • Questioning
  • Interpretation of legislation


Teaching Schedule

This course will be delivered in semester one as per your timetables.

Class Topic Content
1
 Working within a legal framework
  • Understanding legislation
  • Statutory requirements
  • Duty of care and other legal responsibilities
  • Common law
     
2 Organisation policies and procedures
  • Understanding the importance of policies and procedures
  • Organisation’s legal requirements
3 Working within an ethical framework
  • What is ethical work?
  • Ethical dilemmas
  • Protection of clients’ rights
  • Problem solving techniques
  • Use of Code of Ethics
4 Corrective Actions
  • Protecting clients
  • Advocating for clients
  • Advocacy services
5 Bringing it  all together
  • Class activities


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

No textbook required.


References


Other Resources

You will be provided with the resources and tools for learning in this course. These resources will also be available through Blackboard. You will also have access to the resources in the library.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course will consist of a research and analysis of a health campaign regarding regulatory and legislative requirements as well as organisational policies and procedures of a community services organisation, and a written response to a case study identifying ethical processes.


Assessment Tasks

For this course you will be required to complete two assessment tasks:

 

  • Written tasks which will be based on self-guided work.


Assessment Matrix

This program in delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment, grades include:

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

Other Information

Assessment Tasks Submission Cover Sheet
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work, including online submissions. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.

Attendance
It is strongly advised that you attend all workshops in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.

Feedback
You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your competency. Information regarding student feedback can be found at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=9pp3ic9obks7

Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. The Student progress policy can be found at:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=vj2g89cve4uj1

Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. Information regarding application for special consideration can be found at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. For more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity Web site: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kw02ylsd8z3n

Course Overview: Access Course Overview