Course Title: Identify and respond to children and young people at risk

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2023

Course Code: HWSS6015C

Course Title: Identify and respond to children and young people at risk

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.  

To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.  

Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.  

Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus  

  

Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.  

Students typically complete 80 hours of Placement for this unit 

 

School: 535T Social Care and Health

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4352 - Certificate IV in Youth Work

Course Contact: Dianne MacKay

Course Contact Phone: +613 9925 4454

Course Contact Email: dianne.mackay@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

None
 

Course Description

In this unit students will develop the skills and knowledge required to support and protect children and young people who are at risk of harm.  This work occurs within legislative and policy frameworks and carries a duty of care responsibility. 

This unit is delivered and assessed with:

CHCYTH004 Respond to critical situations

CHCYTH001 Engage respectfully with young people

CHCYTH002 Work effectively with young people in the youth work context

CHCYTH003 Support young people to create opportunities in their lives

CHCYTH010 Provide services for young people appropriate to their needs and circumstances

 

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	CHCPRT001 Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
Element:	1. Implement work practices which support the protection of children and young people
Performance Criteria:	1.1 Identify children and young people at risk of abuse or neglect by observing signs and symptoms, asking open and non-leading questions, being aware of protective issues and using child protection procedures where appropriate 1.2 Respond to disclosure, information or signs and symptoms in accordance with state legislative responsibilities and the service policies and procedures 1.3 Routinely employ child-focused work practices to uphold the rights of the child and encourage them to participate in age-appropriate decision-making 1.4 Employ communication and information-gathering techniques with children and young people in accordance with current recognised good practice 1.5 Ensure decisions and actions taken are within own level of responsibility, work role, state legislation and service policies and procedures
Element:	2. Report indications of possible risk of harm
Performance Criteria:	2.1 Accurately record relevant specific and general circumstances surrounding risk of harm in accordance with state legislation, service policies and procedures and ethics 2.2 Promptly record and report risk-of-harm indicators, including the circumstances surrounding the risk of harm according to service policies and procedures 2.3 Ensure writing in reports is non-judgemental 2.4 Work collaboratively with relevant agencies to ensure maximum effectiveness of report
Element:	3. Apply ethical and nurturing practices in work with children and young people
Performance Criteria:	3.1 Protect the rights of children and young people in the provision of services 3.2 Identify and seek supervision support for issues of ethical concern in practice with children and young people 3.3 Employ ethical and nurturing practices and observe professional boundaries when working with children and young people 3.4 Recognise and report indicators for potential ethical concerns when working with children and young people

Learning Outcomes

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

Implement work practices which support the protection of children and young people

1.1 Identify children and young people at risk of abuse or neglect by observing signs and symptoms, asking open and non-leading questions, being aware of protective issues and using child protection procedures where appropriate

1.2 Respond to disclosure, information or signs and symptoms in accordance with state legislative responsibilities and the service policies and procedures

1.3 Routinely employ child-focused work practices to uphold the rights of the child and encourage them to participate in age-appropriate decision-making

1.4 Employ communication and information-gathering techniques with children and young people in accordance with current recognised good practice

1.5 Ensure decisions and actions taken are within own level of responsibility, work role, state legislation and service policies and procedures

2. Report indications of possible risk of harm

2.1 Accurately record relevant specific and general circumstances surrounding risk of harm in accordance with state legislation, service policies and procedures and ethics

2.2 Promptly record and report risk-of-harm indicators, including the circumstances surrounding the risk of harm according to service policies and procedures

2.3 Ensure writing in reports is non-judgemental

2.4 Work collaboratively with relevant agencies to ensure maximum effectiveness of report

3. Apply ethical and nurturing practices in work with children and young people

3.1 Protect the rights of children and young people in the provision of services

3.2 Identify and seek supervision support for issues of ethical concern in practice with children and young people

3.3 Employ ethical and nurturing practices and observe professional boundaries when working with children and young people

3.4 Recognise and report indicators for potential ethical concerns when working with children and young people

Details of Learning Activities

This course will be a blended delivery with face to face on campus sessions and  online via Canvas/Collaborate Ultra sessions 

In-class (campus-based and online classroom) activities:  

• teacher directed group activities/projects  

• group discussion  

• class activities to review discussions/lectures  

• role play activities  

Out-of-class activities:  

• independent assessment -based work, research  

• independent study  

• Assessment based Group work  

• Placement

Teaching Schedule

 

 

Semester 1
Week	Topic	Assessment due
1	Introduction to WIL Cluster   Student Expectations and Student Conduct Policy  Student /Staff communication (Email)   Domains of learning throughout course: Classroom Canvas: Online learning management system, and practical hands-on learning on placement  Campus Tour/ Library Tour/ RMIT Connect
2	Introduction to WIL Cluster   Student Expectations and Student Conduct Policy  Student /Staff communication (Email)   Introduction to placement
3	History of youth culture and subcultures   Harmful and helpful stereotypes about young people   Where does the concept of “youth” come from?   Why do we need youth workers   What role do youth workers play in society?   Professionalisation of youth work   Youth culture in Australia  Current topics of debate about young people in Australia  Develop comprehensive understanding of youth sector
4	History of youth culture and subcultures   Harmful and helpful stereotypes about young people   Where does the concept of “youth” come from?   Why do we need youth workers   What role do youth workers play in society?   Professionalisation of youth work   Youth culture in Australia  Current topics of debate about young people in Australia  Develop comprehensive understanding of youth sector
5	Communicating with young people   Confidentiality with young people   Working with the young person as the focus  Rights, responsibilities and needs of young people  Professional relationship boundaries   Power inequities in professional relationships   Social and media myths about young people  Myths about the ways youth worker's work
6	Situating young people within their context.  Maintaining up to date knowledge and awareness of social, political, economic, and legal contexts of young people  Apply knowledge and understanding of historical and cultural contexts to individual young people.  Psychological Theories of Development
7	Situating young people within their context.   Maintaining up to date knowledge and awareness of social, political, economic and legal contexts of young people   Apply knowledge and understanding of historical and cultural contexts to individual young people. Psychological Theories of Development
8	Identify goals with the young person  Develop and implement action plans  Work with young people to identify their needs, rights, strengths, hopes and opportunities  Documentation of work.  Reflect understanding of youth culture and subculture and individual experiences and development  Recognise the role cultural diversity plays in young people’s development  Recognise the ways other diversities play roles in young people’s development eg: sexuality, gender, disability, family structure etc.
9	Research, analyse and maintain up-to-date knowledge and awareness of the social, political, economic and legal contexts of young people.  Reputable and disreputable sources of information about young people.  Analysing data on young people.  Translating data into meaningful information
10	Allocated time in class to complete assessment task 1  Core values and practice frameworks of youth work as a profession  Core values and practice frameworks of different youth work organisations  Identifying organisations that align with your personal values and beliefs.
11	Allocated time in class to complete assessment task 1	Assessment task 1
12	Workplace investigation   Legislative requirements including and workplace practices which support the protection of children and young people    Maintain a safe environment for young people   Implement prevention, risk-minimisation, and risk response strategies    De-escalation, co regulation    Internal and external reporting requirements    Using an ethical and nurturing approach to working with work with children and young people
13	Workplace investigation   Legislative requirements including and workplace practices which support the protection of children and young people    Maintain a safe environment for young people   Implement prevention, risk-minimisation, and risk response strategies    De-escalation, co regulation    Internal and external reporting requirements    Using an ethical and nurturing approach to working with work with children and young people
14	Workplace investigation   Legislative requirements including and workplace practices which support the protection of children and young people    Maintain a safe environment for young people   Implement prevention, risk-minimisation, and risk response strategies    De-escalation, co regulation    Internal and external reporting requirements    Using an ethical and nurturing approach to working with work with children and young people
15	Allocated time in class to complete assessment task 2A	Assessment task 2A
16	Placement preparation and support with sourcing placement  Targeted support for students with ELP, Special consideration and other learning needs   Finalising late assessments   Students to ensure all Semester 1 assessments and resubmissions are completed
17	Placement preparation and support with sourcing placement  Targeted support for students with ELP, Special consideration and other learning needs   Finalising late assessments   Students to ensure all Semester 1 assessments and resubmissions are completed
18	Placement preparation and support with sourcing placement  Targeted support for students with ELP, Special consideration and other learning needs   Finalising late assessments   Students to ensure all Semester 1 assessments and resubmissions are completed

 

 

 

Semester 2
Week	Topic	Assessment due
1	Placement preparation and sourcing placement  Workplace investigation   Referral processes   Sustainability   Ethnocentrism  Rights, responsibilities, and engagement of young people
2	Placement preparation and sourcing placement  Workplace investigation   Referral processes   Sustainability   Ethnocentrism  Rights, responsibilities, and engagement of young people
3	Placement preparation and sourcing placement  Workplace investigation   Referral processes   Sustainability   Ethnocentrism  Rights, responsibilities, and engagement of young people
4	Placement preparation and sourcing placement  Workplace investigation   Referral processes   Sustainability   Ethnocentrism  Rights, responsibilities, and engagement of young people
5	Allocated in class time to practice and prepare for role plays
6	Allocated in class time to complete assessment task 3
7	Allocated in class time to complete Assessment task 3
8	Allocated in class time to complete Assessment task 3	Assessment task 3
9	Workplace codes of conduct    Workplace procedure documents   Managing ethical issues in the workplace   Implementing risk-minimisation strategies in the workplace   Maintaining a safe environment before, during and after critical situations   Prevent escalation of violent behaviour   Strategies to minimise risk and handle aggressive behaviour
10	Workplace codes of conduct    Workplace procedure documents   Managing ethical issues in the workplace   Implementing risk-minimisation strategies in the workplace   Maintaining a safe environment before, during and after critical situations   Prevent escalation of violent behaviour   Strategies to minimise risk and handle aggressive behaviour
11	Workplace codes of conduct    Workplace procedure documents   Managing ethical issues in the workplace   Implementing risk-minimisation strategies in the workplace   Maintaining a safe environment before, during and after critical situations   Prevent escalation of violent behaviour   Strategies to minimise risk and handle aggressive behaviour
12	Allocated in class time to complete Assessment task 2B  Placement presentations/ verbal assessments linked to placement  Assessment and placement support  Logbooks and observations	Assessment task 2B
13	Placement presentations/ verbal assessments linked to placement  Assessment and placement support  Logbooks and observations
14	Placement presentations/ verbal assessments linked to placement  Assessment and placement support  Logbooks and observations
15	Placement presentations/ verbal assessments linked to placement  Assessment and placement support  Logbooks and observations	Assessment task 4   Assessment task 6  Assessment task 5
16	Preparation for employment and further study  Targeted support for students with ELP, Special consideration and other learning needs  Finalising logbooks and observations for late placements	Logbooks
17	Preparation for employment and further study  Targeted support for students with ELP, Special consideration and other learning needs  Finalising logbooks and observations for late placements
18	Preparation for employment and further study  Targeted support for students with ELP, Special consideration and other learning needs  Finalising logbooks and observations for late placements

 

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing  
Library - RMIT University 

 
The Study Support Hub 
One-on-one consultations - RMIT University 

Overview of Assessment

This course is assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment.
To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assessment tasks to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher when you have completed the assessment tasks. 
ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS ALIGNED TO WORK PLACEMENT ACTIVITIES.  
Students must complete required hours of work placement supported by RMIT to achieve competency in these units.  These units support students learning and assessment in the workplace.
Assessment Task 1: Working with Young People Research questions
 This assessment requires you to answer a series of questions about working with young people in the youth work context.
 Assessment Task 2: Working with Young People: Workplace Investigation
 This assessment requires you to participate in two separate role plays about ethics and a critical incident experienced in the youth work context.
 Assessment Task 3: Workplace Observation – Responding to children and young people at risk
 This assessment requires you to conduct a workplace investigation locating policies and procedures and interviewing an experienced youth worker.
 Assessment Task 4: Workplace Observation: Working with a Group.
 This assessment requires you to be observed working with a group of young people and verbally answering a series of questions.
 Assessment Task 5: Workplace Observation: Working with young people in an individual setting 
This assessment requires you to be observed working with a number of individual young people and verbally answering a series of questions.
 Assessment Task 6: Workplace Observation: Working with young people to set goals and provide information
This assessment requires you to be observed working with a number of individual young people and verbally answering a series of questions.
Completed Logbook also need to submit to successfully complete the assessment requirements 
 
Grades that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are: You should refer to the assessment plan which is available on Canvas for details of each assessment task and for detailed assessment criteria.
CA: Competency Achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment 
You will be given two (2) attempts for each assessment to demonstrate the required skills. A third (3rd) attempt can only be offered after discussions between teacher and the Program Coordinator and is not automatic. Resubmissions beyond two (2) attempts are at the discretion of the teacher and/or coordinator.
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 Equitable Learning Unit if you would like to find out more (https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/student-support/equitable-learning-services)
A student charter http://www.rmit.edu.au/about/studentcharter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.
Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions which are available for review online: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams 
 

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Working with Young People Research questions
 This assessment requires you to answer a series of questions about working with young people in the youth work context.
 Assessment Task 2: Working with Young People: Workplace Investigation
 This assessment requires you to participate in two separate role plays about ethics and a critical incident experienced in the youth work context.
 Assessment Task 3: Workplace Observation – Responding to children and young people at risk
 This assessment requires you to conduct a workplace investigation locating policies and procedures and interviewing an experienced youth worker.
 Assessment Task 4: Workplace Observation: Working with a Group.
 This assessment requires you to be observed working with a group of young people and verbally answering a series of questions.
 Assessment Task 5: Workplace Observation: Working with young people in an individual setting 
This assessment requires you to be observed working with a number of individual young people and verbally answering a series of questions.
 Assessment Task 6: Workplace Observation: Working with young people to set goals and provide information
This assessment requires you to be observed working with a number of individual young people and verbally answering a series of questions.
Completed Logbook also need to submit to successfully complete the assessment requirements 

Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix (Rubric) Available in Canvas. 

Other Information

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about the support available for students in a range of matters:  

Current students - RMIT University 

Equitable Learning Services provide support and equal opportunities for students with a disability, long-term illness and/or mental health condition and primary carers of individuals with a disability. 

Equitable learning and disability - RMIT University 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview