Course Title: Provide advocacy and representation services

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2015

Course Code: JUST5729C

Course Title: Provide advocacy and representation services

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

Anne Fitzpatrick

+61 3 9925 0329

anne.fitzpatrick@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 80

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 by the worker to represent the interests of service users, the community and/or the community services and health industries. Representation will include the development of community representative and industry participative roles and positions in influencing policy processes and decision-making forums.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCAD504B Provide advocacy and representation services

Element:

1. Establish the representative role and process

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify role, processes and conditions of representation in consultation with individuals and key groups
1.2 Seek the support of key people
1.3 Determine and implement requirements for reporting and accountability

Element:

2. Participate in decision-making forums

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Identify relevant interests and concerns to be pursued in accordance with organisation positions and priorities
2.2 Undertake work to provide a framework for pursuing promotion of relevant interests
2.3 Create and respond routinely within work role to opportunities to reflect, promote and represent relevant interests
2.4 Calculate and assess the potential impact of developments and decisions in terms of objectives and priorities
2.5 Provide progress and other reports and feedback to key people according to organisation requirements

Element:

3. Negotiate outcomes and liaise with key people

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Identify and develop appropriate strategic alliances
3.2 Promote and support collaborative planning and action
3.3 Identify potential areas of conflict and implement strategies to address them
3.4 Clearly determine and promote purpose and objectives
3.5 Undertake appropriate work with organising committees and board of management to maximise effectiveness

Element:

4. Evaluate effectiveness of strategies

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Analyse actual work outcomes and report against agreed objectives
4.2 Implement adjustments to strategy according to the evaluation

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

Examples of learning contexts:
• Workshops
• Workplace
• Online
 

Examples of learning activities:
• Workshop presentations
• Class exercises to review discussions / presentations
• Analysis and critique of reading material relevant to the unit
• Projects
• Peer learning
• Guest lecture / presentation
• Peer teaching and class presentations
• Group discussion
• Research
• Written responses to case studies and scenarios
• Project based work
 


Teaching Schedule

This course has been grouped for delivery and is part of a cluster called: Working in Community. The other courses forming this cluster are: CHCCD514B Implement community development strategies and CHCLD514B Analyse impacts of sociological factors on clients, community work and services

Class Topic Content
1  Introduction to Sociology
  • An introduction to Sociological factors
2 Sociological Factors and impact on the community
  • Sociological factors in Australian society
  • Four Corners – On the brink video - Newstart and living in poverty
  • Impact of Sociological factors (e.g.: unemployment, housing, poverty)
  • Impact of sociological factors on the community
  • Impact of sociological factors on services
3 Introduction to models of community development: working with individuals and groups to identify collective issues
  • What is community development
  • Theories of community development
  • Key principles of community development
  • Planning a community development project
4 Working with community groups to establish collaborative processes
  • Developing a funding application:
  • Identifying relevant models of work that may address group issues and needs
  • Facilitating community participation
  • Engaging key stakeholders in planning, implementing and evaluating strategies for community empowerment and action
5 Strengthening community capacity and supporting group processes and skills development
  • Resourcing successful group and community work strategies and activities
  • Assisting in facilitation of effective group meetings to enhance outcomes
6 Reflect on our community development practice
  • Work with stakeholders and participants to monitor our community development practice
  • Work with stakeholders and participants to effectively evaluate our community development practice
7 Advocacy
  • What is advocacy?
  • Impacts of advocacy on the community
  • Planning a project with the community
  • Community consultation
  • Consulting with your organisation and local organisations to support the – developing partnerships
8 Community Development and Advocacy
  • Advocacy – understanding the issues impacting on the community and community services delivery, including policy development and – bringing about change to reflect the communities’ interests
  • Individual and systemic advocacy
9  Community Development and Advocacy
  • Working with local organisations and networks
  • Representing the community, representing the organisation
10 In class assessment tasks  


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

There are no prescribed texts for this unit.


References

The library website for the Diploma of Community Servcies Work will provide references for this unit. (website link will be provided)


Other Resources

Diploma of Community Services library resource site

Advocacy fact sheet (available in the Blackboard shell)

Advocacy and systemic advocacy powerpoint presentation (available in the Blackboard shell)

‘Points of Departure’: AN ADVOCACY TOOLKIT FOR IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE WOMEN March 2010 © Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health Citation: Gwatirisa, P. (2010). ‘Points of Departure’: An Advocacy Toolkit for Immigrant and Refugee Women. Melbourne: Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health.
(available online in the Blackboard shell)
 


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is based on a research project on commonly used advocacy and representation services, and a written report on the application of the advocacy fact sheet on a client of your choice.


Assessment Tasks

For this course you will be required to complete the two tasks described below:

Assessment Task 1 - The advocacy and representation process to bring about social change: for this task you will be required to conduct a research project on advocacy and representation processes from the vantage point of having a representation role within the community.

Assessment Task 2 - The advocacy and representation process to bring about individual and organisational change: for this task you will choose an example from your workplace that involves working with individuals or community groups to advocate about a social issue. Based on the client chosen you will the respond to the "Advocacy fact sheet" which is given to you in class.


Assessment Matrix

This course is 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