Course Title: Work within a relevant legal and ethical framework
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2014
Course Code: HWSS5704C
Course Title: Work within a relevant legal and ethical framework
School: 365T Global, Urban & Social Studies
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4329 - Certificate IV in Disability
Course Contact : Renee Costa
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 0886
Course Contact Email:renee.costa@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Mary Collins - Teacher, Disability Work, Oncampus programs (03) 99254598, mary.collins@rmit.edu.au
Maura Lynch - Teacher, Disability Work -Industry programs (03) 99254577, maura.lynch@rmit.edu.au
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
Not applicable
Course Description
This course describes the knowledge and skills required to work within a legal and ethical framework that supports duty of care requirements within the community/disability sector.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CHCCS400C Work within a relevant legal and ethical framework |
Element: |
3. Work ethically |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1Protect the rights of the client when delivering services |
Element: |
4. Recognise and respond when client rights and interests are not being protected |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1Support the client and/or their advocate/s to identify and express their concerns |
Element: |
1. Demonstrate an understanding of legislation and common law relevant to work role |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1Demonstrate in all work, an understanding of the legal responsibilities and obligations of the work role |
Element: |
2. Follow identified policies and practices |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1Perform work within identified policies, protocols and procedures |
Learning Outcomes
In this course you will explore the following topics:
• An understanding of the legal responsibilities and obligations of your work role
• The importance of ethics in practice
• An outline of common legal issues relevant to the workplace
• Relevant standards and codes of practice in the sector
• Rights and responsibilities of clients and workers
• Specific principles underpinning duty of care and associated legal requirements
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
In this course you will learn about the legal and ethical frameworks in the disability services and community services sectors. You will consider important issues around the delivery of services for people with disability such as duty of care and least restrictive practices, service standards and accountability and staff codes of practice and behaviour. The Certificate IV in Disability includes a field placement in a community disability service of 200 hours across the whole program. You will demonstrate your knowledge and skills in aspects of this course thorugh that field placement. We will also organise field visits to community services agencies.
Teaching Schedule
| Week | Topics |
| 1 | Introduction to the unit and overview of the field placement component and assessment tasks |
| 2 | Legislative framework for the disability field and application to the workplace |
| 3 | Duty of Care - Dignity of Risk - balancing legal frameworks and individual rights. |
| 4 | Who are the people we support, and with whom do we work? |
| 5 | Service standards - state and federal service standards |
| 6 | Codes of Practice in disability work - staff work practices and behaviours |
| 7 | My home or your workplace, my life or your career. |
| 8 | Field visits - (to be confirmed) to authorities and agencies who support people with disabilties and their families and carers |
| 9 | Panel discussion - working within the legal and ethical frameworks in practice |
| 10 | Personal values and beliefs - matching and balancing, issues and solutions |
| 11 | Field Placement preparation - student requirements and assessment tasks on placement. |
| 12 | Field Placement |
| 13 | Field Placement |
| 14 | Field Placement Review and discussion |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
During sessions you will be directed to government, non-government and industry sources of information such as the Department of Human Services (DHS) website, the Office of the Public Acvocate (OPA) and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). These provide information about curernt legislative and policy requirements and processes that will be relevant to your studies and your eventual practice in the field.
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:
- A research project
- In class group activities
- Self assessment
- Supervisor assessment
Assessment Tasks
There are four assessment tasks for this unit:
1. Research Task: You will undertake research into a relevant Act e.g. The Disability Act 2006, how it directs the work that the government, agencies and staff do. There will be a set of questions to guide your research on this.
2. In-class quiz: on the principle of "Duty of Care" as it applies to the disability services sector.
3. In-class group assessment task: Codes of Practice - you will work with your fellow students to develop a "code of practice" for disabilty support workers with rationales and examples for the code provisions.
4. Field Placement Research: under the guidance of your Field Placement supervisor you will select one of the agency’s policy documents and look into how it is put into practice
Assessment Matrix
A detailed matrix will be available from the course teacher.
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