Course Title: Work legally and ethically

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2016

Course Code: HWSS6068C

Course Title: Work legally and ethically

School: 365T Global, Urban and Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C3319 - Certificate III in Individual Support

Course Contact: Renee Costa

Course Contact Phone: 9925 0886

Course Contact Email: renee.costa@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Gwen Cawsey – gwen.cawsey@rmit.edu.au

Maria Pleitez- maria.pleitez@rmit.edu.au
 

Nominal Hours: 55

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

In this unit you will acquire the skills and knowledge required to identify and work within the legal and ethical frameworks that apply to the individual support job role.

The skills gained in this unit will apply to community services and health workers who play a proactive role in identifying and meeting their legal and ethical responsibilities.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically

Element:

1. Identify and respond to legal requirements
1.1 Identify, access and interpret sources of information about the legal requirements that apply to the work role
1.2 Identify the scope and nature of own legal rights and responsibilities
1.3 Adhere to legal requirements in work practice according to workplace policies and procedures and scope of role
1.4 Recognise potential or actual breaches and report according to organisation procedures
 

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify, access and interpret sources of information about the legal requirements that apply to the work role 1.2 Identify the scope and nature of own legal rights and responsibilities 1.3 Adhere to legal requirements in work practice according to workplace policies and procedures and scope of role 1.4 Recognise potential or actual breaches and report according to organisation procedures

Element:

2. Identify and meet ethical responsibilities
2.1 Identify, access and interpret sources of information about the ethical responsibilities that apply to the work role
2.2 Identify the scope and nature of own ethical responsibilities
2.3 Meet ethical responsibilities according to workplace policies and protocols, and scope of role
2.4 Recognise potential ethical issues and dilemmas, and discuss with an appropriate person
2.5 Recognise own personal values and attitudes and take into account to ensure non-judgemental practice
2.6 Use effective problem solving techniques when exposed to competing value systems
2.7 Recognise unethical conduct and report to an appropriate person
2.8 Recognise potential and actual conflicts of interest and take appropriate action

 

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Identify, access and interpret sources of information about the ethical responsibilities that apply to the work role 2.2 Identify the scope and nature of own ethical responsibilities 2.3 Meet ethical responsibilities according to workplace policies and protocols, and scope of role 2.4 Recognise potential ethical issues and dilemmas, and discuss with an appropriate person 2.5 Recognise own personal values and attitudes and take into account to ensure non-judgemental practice 2.6 Use effective problem solving techniques when exposed to competing value systems 2.7 Recognise unethical conduct and report to an appropriate person 2.8 Recognise potential and actual conflicts of interest and take appropriate action

Element:

3. Contribute to workplace improvements
3.1 Identify situations where work practices could be improved to meet legal and ethical responsibilities
3.2 Pro-actively share feedback with colleagues and supervisors
3.3 Identify and take opportunities to contribute to the review and development of policies and protocols

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Identify situations where work practices could be improved to meet legal and ethical responsibilities 3.2 Pro-actively share feedback with colleagues and supervisors 3.3 Identify and take opportunities to contribute to the review and development of policies and protocols


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency that relate to the legal and ethical requirements that you may face in the ageing and home and community sector.


Details of Learning Activities

Examples of learning activities

·         class exercises to review discussions

·         practical demonstrations

·         Blog/Wiki or other online discussion and participation

·         analysis/critique of relevant reading material

·         seminars/workshops

·         design activities or projects

·         group projects

·         peer learning

·         guest lecture/presentation

·         peer teaching and class presentations

·         group discussion

·         research

·         independent project based work

·         group activities/projects

·         ‘workshopping’ of student projects including peer

·         visits to galleries and events

·        practical placement

·         simulated workplaces


Teaching Schedule

Session 1 

·         Legislation and Acts

·         What are your duties/responsibilities as a community service worker

·         Identify the scope and nature of own legal rights and responsibilities

·         Importance of confidentiality

Session 2

·         Identify and meet ethical responsibilities

·         Meeting responsibilities according to workplace policies and protocols and scope of role

·         Recognizing own personal values and attitudes

·         Potential and actual conflicts of interest and how to take appropriate action

Session 3 

·         Contribute to workplace improvements

·         Reviewing work performance and policy and procedures

·         How to provide feedback

·         Identify and take opportunities to contribute to improve legal and ethical responsibilities


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

                    None


References

Referencing guide:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/referencing-guides:
Author’s family name, initial(s) Year of publication, Publication title, Publication details.
eg. Bauman, Z 1999, Globalization and culture, Polity Press, Oxford. If website, a few more details are required:
eg. World Health Organization 2014, WHO recommendations for routine immunization - summary tables, World Health Organization, viewed 1 May 2014, <http://www.who.int/immunization/policy/immunization_tables/en/> You are advised to look at the course at myRMIT for ongoing updated information.
 


Other Resources

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. Students will need to purchase an RMIT polo top as uniform for placement


Overview of Assessment

This unit of competency is delivered and assessed with the unit of competency Communicate and work in health or community services (CHCCOM005)

There will be three forms of assessment and they will include a research task, questions and answers in relation to the unit of competency and practical assessment either in a simulated or workplace environment.

The assessment tasks are as follows:

Task 1: Research questions

Task 2: Questions and answers

Task 3: Observation in either a simulated or workplace environment

 

 

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.

A student charter http://www.rmit.edu.au/about/studentcharter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teacher 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions which are available for review online: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=c15i3ciaq8ca


Assessment Tasks

To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete all of the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive written feedback on all assessment (refer to MyRMIT for assessment criteria).

 

Assessment One:

 

Task 1: This task requires you to discuss several questions on workplace experiences and discuss the legal and ethical considerations when working with older people in the health and / or community services industry, breaches of legal or ethical requirements and how to deal with them, work practice improvements to enhance workplace responsiveness to legal and ethical requirements. Discuss the situations, and then document the work practice improvements in a procedure.

 

Task 2: this task requires you to research and summaries a variety of research topics relating to the legal and ethical considerations when working with older people in the health and / or community services industry including

Codes of conduct, Complaints management, Continuing professional education, Discrimination, Dignity of risk, Duty of care, Human rights, Universal declaration of human rights,Informed consent, Practice standards, Practitioner/client boundaries, Privacy, confidentiality and disclosure, Records management, Rights and responsibilities of workers, employers and clients, Work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations, Work health and safety, Employment conditions etc

 

Assessment Two:

 

This task requires you to answer a series of verbal and written questions about the legal and ethical considerations when working with older people in the health and / or community services industry, including legislation and organisational polices and practice.

 

 


Assessment Matrix

Students will be given an assessment marking guide for reference at the time that the assessment tasks are distributed.

Other Information

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

 

Cover Sheet for Submissions
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 implications of plagiarism.

 

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 an Extension

Extension of time for assessment tasks may be granted where circumstances beyond your control prevent submission by the published due date. Speak with your teacher or course coordinator regarding applying for an extension.

 

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

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 (unresolved) – 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

Police Checks

Students must obtain their own police check by the due date and pay the associated costs. Students who do not obtain a required police clearance by the due date shall not be able to undertake a practical placement or work experience activity that requires a Police Check.

The University shall not be obligated to organise a placement for a student who does not wish to obtain a Police Check.

Where required by the workplace, students shall provide a copy of their police check on request.

If a student is rejected by a workplace on the basis of a Police Check, the following actions shall occur, as appropriate:

-               advise the student of the outcome; and

-               discuss placement options with the student; and/or

-               provide program and career counselling.

RMIT will not store Police Checks on student files.

 

Early Termination of Placement

Under section 6 of the WIL Procedure, a placement may be ended early by the host organisation or School due to the student’s conduct and/or performance during the placement.

Possible reasons for such decisions may include, but are not limited to

·         failure to follow processes required for safety

         breach of client or patient confidentiality

·         failure to comply with the instructions of supervisors

·         or other unprofessional behaviour

Where a placement ends early, a meeting will be convened to discuss the sequence of events that led to the termination. This meeting will precede any consideration of a student’s progress by the Progress Panel (if applicable) or Program Assessment Board.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview