Course Title: Work effectively in the community sector

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2015

Course Code: HWSS8117C

Course Title: Work effectively in the community sector

School: 365T Global, Urban & Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C3304 - Certificate III in Aged Care

Course Contact : Renee Costa

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 99250886

Course Contact Email:renee.costa@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

There are no formal pre-requisites for this course, however you will need to obtain a police check in order to participate in the practical placement and gain work in the sector as per legislative requirements.
You need knowledge of spoken English, as well as English literacy to a standard that is likely to meet workplace needs to enter the course. If you would like advice on the standard of English that is recommended for the course please contact the Course Co-ordinator via the details above.

Course Description

In this course you will study ways in which you can work effectively in a community work or service delivery setting with communities, clients, carers, staff, visitors, suppliers and others to meet established work requirements. You will learn about how to work ethically, how to communicate effectively within the community services system, and how to demonstrate commitment to relevant values and philosophy underpinning work in the sector. You will learn how to maintain work standards and take responsibility for personal skill development, and how to reflect on your own practice.
 

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	CHCCS411C Work effectively in the community sector
Element:	1.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
Element:	2.Communicate effectively in a community work or service delivery setting
Performance Criteria:	2.1 Develop, review and revise personal skills in communication as an ongoing 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:	3.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:	4.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:	5.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:	6.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:	7.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

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the required skills and knowledge to demonstrate your competency in the above elements.

Details of Learning Activities

In this course you will develop the knowledge and skills required to work effectively in a community work or service delivery setting with communities, clients, carers, staff, visitors, suppliers and others to meet established work requirements. Students will develop an understanding of the sector, the values and philosophy that underpins the work that is done, learn how to maintain the standards required, and reflect on practice within the sector. There will be individual and group activities during classes, field visits and guest speakers. The Certificate III Aged Care includes two field placements with a total of 130 hours across the whole program and the knowledge and skills you gain in this course will be developed further through placement.

Teaching Schedule

Week	Topic
1	Overview of the units and looking at links in the field.
2	Research task into community services organisations
3	Assessment task in class- maintaining work standards

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

During sessions you will be directed to industry sources of information and provided with a workbook to complete throughout the course. You will also be directed to other learning materials and websites if required.

Overview of Assessment

In this course you will be assessed on the knowledge and skills that you have developed to meet the competency requirements of this course. You will complete assessments to determine your knowledge throughout the course which ensures you are equipped to perform your job role in the Aged Care sector, and the second method of assessment is where you give practical demonstrations of the tasks required in the job role for this course. These assessment tasks are conducted after you have had adequate preparation for the assessment and you will be supported through out the assessment process. Some of the practical tasks will be done in the purpose-built facilities at RMIT, others will be done in your placement in a workplace setting.

Assessment Tasks

There are2 assessment tasks for this unit. The assessment tasks are:

1.Group based in class task

2. Quiz

Assessment Matrix

A detailed matrix will be available from the teacher

Other Information

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students

Cover Sheet for Submissions
Hardcopy: you must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of work submitted in hardcopy.
E-Submission: you will complete an e-Declaration for every piece of work submitted online.
The signed cover sheet or e-Declaration acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.

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.

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://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration

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:
a) You believe an error has occurred in the calculation of the grade; or,
b) You believe the assessment did not comply with criteria published in the Course Guide; or,
c) 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://www1.rmit.edu.au/policies/academic#assessment

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://www1.rmit.edu.au/library/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 Conduct Regulations – http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=r7a7an6qug93

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

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

Course Overview: Access Course Overview