Course Title: Work effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2013
Course Code: EMPL5967C
Course Title: Work effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
School: 360T Education
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4326 - Certificate IV in Education Support
Course Contact : Robyn Blaikie
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4838
Course Contact Email:robyn.blaikie@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Fiona Dean
fiona.dean@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 20
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
No specific pre-requisite and co-requisite.
Course Description
This course describes the communication and work practice skills and knowledge required to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It deals specifically with cross-cultural awareness and issues involving working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, organisations and communities.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
HLTHIR404D Work effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people |
Element: |
1. Reflect an awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and cultures in work practices |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1Acknowledge and respect the impact of events and issues in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander history during service delivery |
Element: |
2. Reflect an awareness of own and other cultural realities in work practices |
Performance Criteria: |
.1Identify the potential impact of cultural factors on service delivery to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients |
Element: |
3. Communicate effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1Identify communication issues and ensure they are addressed to develop and maintain effective relationships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and/or co-workers |
Element: |
4. Reflect cultural safety in workplace and professional relationships |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1Ensure workplace and professional relationships are based on mutual respect, tolerance of diversity and a shared understanding of cultural safety
|
Element: |
5. Work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1Develop and implement strategies to increase participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in health service delivery
|
Learning Outcomes
The course applies equally to those operating in health care policy or program planning, development and evaluation contexts or in direct service delivery contexts. Application of this unit should be contextualised to reflect any requirements, issues and practices specific to each workplace and/or local community. On successful completion of this course, you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate your competency in the above elements.
Details of Learning Activities
The student learning experience will be facilitated through participation in a range of activities:
Group discussion
Guest speakers
Oral and/or written questions on "What if?" scenarios
Individual and group projects - Completion of Projects will include negotiated independent study time and practical work relevant to the unit of competency.
Realistic simulations and role play
Practical demonstrations and direct observation of actual work and simulated work practice
Oral Presentation
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 1-4
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history
Differences between cultures, particularly the cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and others
The importance of law and kinship
The impact of European settlement - Loss of land and culture
Discussion, Q&A activities, Evidence Guide
Week 5-8
Appreciation of cultural shock and its impact on health and well being
Basic understanding and awareness of the factors which contribute to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ill health and common diseases experienced by these groups of people
Discussion, Q&A activities,
Assignment/project1 – Research/Q&A/Oral presentation
Week 9-12
Relevant legislation and policies, which may include: codes of practice, commonwealth, and/or territory/state legislation, community standards and regulations
Understanding of racism and discrimination, and laws pertaining to these issues
Knowledge of availability of interpreter resources
Discussion, Q&A activities/Oral presentation
Week 13-16
Understanding and awareness of the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
Understanding and awareness of the social, political and economic issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Discussion, Q&A activities
Week 17-20
Understanding of own culture, western systems and structures and how this impacts on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
Understanding of past and present power relations and its impact on the workplace and communities
Reflecting on experiences working effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
Discussion, Q&A activities/Oral presentation
Progress interview – Evidence guide, Assignment 1, Research/Oral presentation, Evidence of practical experience working effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people; e.g Observation/Demonstration, Third party
Semester 2
Week 1-4
Anti-racism
Advocating for anti racism
Demonstrating respect for a person and their culture
Forming effective relationships with a person from another culture
Forming mutual mentoring arrangements with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
Discussion, Q&A activities, Evidence Guide
Week 5-8
Forming mutual mentoring arrangements with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
Developing and implementing strategies for sharing power and facilitating participation, self-determination and self-control by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities
Discussion, Q&A activities
Week 9-12
Identifying and implementing culturally safe work practices
Reflecting on self and make changes to work in a cross cultural context
Reflecting on actions and events to make and maintain cross cultural relationships
Communicating sensitively and respectfully in a cross cultural context
Discussion, Q&A activities
Assignment/project 2 – Research/Scenarios
Week 13-16
Reflect an awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and cultures in work practices
Reflect an awareness of own and other cultural realities in work practices
Using cultural safety approaches
Discussion, Q&A activities
Week 17-20
Communicate effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Reflect cultural safety in workplace and professional relationships
Work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities
Discussion, Q&A activities, Oral presentation
Final interview – Review folio of final assessments e.g : Evidence Guide, Assignment/Project1 and 2, Evidence of working effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; e.g. Observation/Demonstration, Third party, Folio – Presentation (oral and/or written)
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
You must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of the competencies in order to be deemed competent.
Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks. You may be assessed by:
• Direct observation of actual and simulated work practice
• Oral or written questioning
• Assignments and projects
• Presentation of a portfolio of evidence which may comprise documents, and/or photographs and/or video and audio files
• Work-based activities
• Third-party feedback from a work supervisor/employer
Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions, through individual and group feedback on practical exercises and by individual consultation.
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.
An assessment charter (http://mams.rmit.edu.au/kh6a3ly2wi2h1.pdf) summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.
Your courses assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described and referenced in a single document: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=ln1kd66y87rc
Assessment Tasks
Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks. Your assessments will include:
• Direct observation of actual and simulated work practice
• Oral or written questioning – Workbooks, discussion, oral presentations
• Assignments and projects – Cultural awareness project
• Presentation of a portfolio of evidence which may comprise documents, and/or photographs and/or video and audio files
• Third-party feedback from a work supervisor/employer
Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions, through individual and group feedback on practical exercises and by individual consultation.
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available from the course contact person (stated above).
Course Overview: Access Course Overview