Course Title: Work within a relevant legal and ethical framework

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2013

Course Code: LAW5205C

Course Title: Work within a relevant legal and ethical framework

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: 50

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

This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to work within a legal and ethical framework that supports duty of care requirements.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	CHCCS400C Work within a relevant legal and ethical framework
Element:	Demonstrate an understanding of legislation and common law relevant to work role
Performance Criteria:	1.1 Demonstrate in all work, an understanding of the legal responsibilities and obligations of the work role 1.2 Demonstrate key statutory and regulatory requirements relevant to the work role 1.3 Fulfil duty of care responsibilities in the course of practice 1.4 Accept responsibility for own actions 1.5 Maintain confidentiality 1.6 Where possible, seek the agreement of the client prior to providing services
Element:	Follow identified policies and practices
Performance Criteria:	2.1 Perform work within identified policies, protocols and procedures 2.2 Contribute to the review and development of policies and protocols as appropriate 2.3 Work within position specifications and role responsibilities 2.4 Seek clarification when unsure of scope of practice as defined by position description or specific work role requirements 2.5 Seek clarification of unclear instructions
Element:	Recognise and respond when client rights and interests are not being protected
Performance Criteria:	4.1 Support the client and/or their advocate/s to identify and express their concerns 4.2 Refer client and/or their advocate/s to advocacy services if appropriate 4.3 Follow identified policy and protocols when managing a complaint 4.4 Recognise witnessed signs consistent with financial, physical, emotional, sexual abuse and neglect of the client and report to an appropriate person as required 4.5 Recognise and respond to cultural/linguistic religious diversity, for example providing interpreters where necessary
Element:	Work ethically
Performance Criteria:	3.1 Protect the rights of the client when delivering services 3.2 Use effective problem solving techniques when exposed to competing value systems 3.3 Ensure services are available to all clients regardless of personal values, beliefs, attitudes and culture 3.4 Recognise potential ethical issues and ethical dilemmas in the workplace and discuss with an appropriate person 3.5 Recognise unethical conduct and report to an appropriate person 3.6 Work within boundaries applicable to work role 3.7 Demonstrate effective application of guidelines and legal requirements relating to disclosure and confidentiality 3.8 Demonstrate awareness of own personal values and attitudes and take into account to ensure non-judgemental practice 3.9 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 role-plays, discussions and presentations related to engaging communities in the community development process as part of specific initiatives. Self-directed study activities to be completed outside of the workshop include recognising and responding when client rights and interests are not being protected, managing complaints, providing appropriate referrals and advocating on behalf of clients, especially in the case of community members who have been possibly subject to abuse or neglect. In addition to this, you will be expected to follow the identified policies and practice of your community group or organisation.

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 9	Class Content	Learning Elements
Work within a relevant legal and ethical framework	This workshop will focus on legislation and ethics relevant to the community sector in general, and the community development sector in particular. Through examining legislation and its relevance to organisational policies and programs, students will develop the ability to operate effectively within the organisation’s legal and ethical framework.	1. Demonstrate an understanding of legislation and common law relevant to work role 2. Work ethically 3. Recognise and respond when client rights and interests are not being protected 4. Follow identified policies and practices

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:
Some ethical issues in community-based rehabilitation initiatives in developing countries – Informa Healthcare
http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09638280110113449?journalCode=dre
Are the International and National Codes of Ethics for Social Work in the UK as Useful as a Chocolate Teapot? – Journal of Social Work, Values and Ethics
http://www.socialworker.com/jswve/content/view/123/68/

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
- Simulation

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 ethically implement your community development plan through work within a relevant legal and ethical framework with your community and stakeholders. This will include demonstrating an understanding of legislation and common law relevant to your work role and your ability to recognise and respond when client rights and interests are not being protected. In addition to this, you will be expected to follow your organisations or community groups identified policies and practices. In particular, you will be assessed on your ability to manage potential conflicts of interest.

Simulation
As part of the workshop you will engage in a hypothetical scenario in which you will perform a role-play that demonstrates your ability to work ethically, how you would manage a conflict of interest and your ability to follow relevant principles and practices to protect the rights and interests of community members. Further information about this assessment task will be provided to you at the commencement of this workshop.

Assessment Matrix

Course Overview: Access Course Overview