Course Title: Plan and conduct group activities

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2019

Course Code: HWSS6082C

Course Title: Plan and conduct group activities

School: 365T Global, Urban and Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4352 - Certificate IV in Youth Work

Course Contact: Dianne Mackay

Course Contact Phone: +353 (3) 9925 4454

Course Contact Email: dianne.mackay@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 70

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 to apply specific communication techniques to establish, build and maintain relationships with clients, colleagues and other stakeholders based on respect and trust.  This unit applies to work across a range of workplace contexts where workers at all levels may communicate with individuals and/or groups both in person and in writing.  

This unit is taught and assessed with

CHCCDE003 Work within a community development framework AND

CHCCOM002 Use communication to build relationships.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCGRP002 Plan and conduct group activities

Element:

1. Plan group activities and resources

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Review available information and identify the needs of the group 1.2 Generate ideas for activities that respond to identified needs 1.3 Identify, calculate and document the resources required for group activities 1.4 Identify and follow up on the need to make submissions for potential sources of assistance and resources within scope of own job role 1.5 Organise resources according to organisation procedures

Element:

2. Coordinate group planning processes

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Seek opportunities actively for collaborative planning and shared ownership with clients 2.2 Solicit, analyse and prioritise information about group's needs and expectations 2.3 Negotiate the purpose of group activities with the group allowing time and opportunity for individuals to articulate their ideas and wishes 2.4 Translate purpose of proposed group activity into a set of documented aims and objectives based on input 2.5 Analyse potential impact on group operation of the values and beliefs of both worker and client 2.6 Design group strategies that promote effective group operation and take into account specific characteristics of participating clients

Element:

3. Manage group processes and conflict

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Promote opportunities for open dialogue and active listening between group members 3.2 Encourage and model sensitivity to diverse participants 3.3 Use strategies to prevent conflict within own role, power and capacity 3.4 Identify and reinforce the outcomes of positive conflict 3.5 Clarify and confirm principles and practices of conflict resolution in a group and seek agreement to implement them 3.6 Encourage acknowledgement of rights and responsibilities and perceptions of all participants in the conflict situation 3.7 Offer opportunity to all participants for debriefing, support, mediation, consultation and facilitation

Element:

4. Evaluate group activities

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Ensure aims and objectives of the group activity provide the basis for evaluation and feedback 4.2 Seek feedback from group participants on leadership style, group process, achievement of objectives, other achievements and areas for development 4.3 Document evaluation information according to organisation procedures and distribute to relevant people


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency within the Youth Work Sector.


Details of Learning Activities

Learning activities

These course learning activities will be supported and complimented by RMIT's online learning management tool Canvas. Other essential learning activities take place during the workshops, and you will also be required to undertake independent studies. Some learning activities that you will undertake in the workshops are:

  • Class discussion
  • Documentary viewing and discussion
  • Guest speaker
  • Group work projects
  • Questioning 


Teaching Schedule

Class

Topic

Content

Elements of Competency

Resources

Assessment Due Dates

 

1

Welcome, introductions, unit introduction

 

 

 

2

Structure and function of communication

  • Professional communication types
    • Written
      • Newsletters
      • Letters
      • Web
      • Email
      • Social media
      • Intranet
    • Verbal
      • Phone calls
      • Meetings
      • Podcasts
      • Broadcasts
      • Appointments
    • Non verbal
      • Body language
      • Behaviours
      • Active listening

CHCCOM002 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 3.6,

CHCGRP002 1.1, 1.2, 2.6, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3,

CHCCDE003 2.1, 2.4, 3.5, 3.7

 

 

3

Organisational policies and protocols in relation to working with clients, colleagues and stakeholders.

  • Style guides
  • Code of professional practice
  • Meeting agendas
  • Minute taking
  • Report writing
  • Case notes
  • Handover notes
  • Organisational reputation
  • Conducting meetings

CHCCOM002 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.8, 3.9

CHCGRP002 1.5, 2.4, 2.5, 3.2, 3.6, 3.7, 4.3

CHCCDE003 1.1, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.8

 

In class assessment task 1: Writing a professional email in accordance with RMIT Style Guide 

4

Introduction to Group Work

  • Youth work context: when will you work with groups?
  • Characteristics of different group situations
  • Types of groups
    • Geographic
    • Cultural
    • Age related
    • Special interest eg: LGBTIQ or Comic books
  • Self forming groups and artificially formed groups
  • Establishing group needs
  • Establishing group roles
  • Personal vs community need
  • Introduction to managing group dynamics

CHCCOM002 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 2.1, 2.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.8

CHCGRP002 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.6, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6,

CHCCDE003 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.4, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 3.7

 

 

5

Introduction to Community Development

  • Community Development practice and youth work
  • Examples of organisations and projects
  • Principles of community development
  • Youth work principles
  • YACVIC code of practice
  • Community participation
    • Social and personal development
    • Support
    • Having a voice and a place in society
  • Barriers to community development in youth work
  • Traditional Community Development
    • Needs based
  • Contemporary Community Development
    • Asset based

CHCCOM002 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.4, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7

CHCGRP002 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 4.1, 4.3

CHCCDE003 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.2, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.6, 3.8

 

 

6

Respect and rights

  • Convention on the rights of the child
  • Information sharing
  • Privacy and confidentiality
  • Duty of care
  • Rapport building
  • Mandatory reporting
  • Person centred
  • Human rights

CHCCOM002 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 3.5,

CHCGRP002 2.5, 3.2, 3.6, 3.7, 4.2

CHCCDE003 1.1, 1.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.6,

 

 

7

Supporting people with communication barriers

  • Common barriers to communication
  • Emotional barriers
  • Physical barriers
  • Cultural barriers
  • LLN barriers
  • Using plain English and accessible communication formats
  • Interpreters and translator services

CHCCOM002 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 3.4, 3.5,

CHCGRP002 2.2, 2.4, 2.6, 3.1, 3.2, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.2

CHCCDE003 1.2, 2.1, 2.4, 3.3, 3.5, 3.7

 

In class assessment task 2: Create a poster that describes client rights to privacy and confidentiality OR service providers Duty of Care responsibility 

8

Conflict resolution

  • Common reasons for conflict in Youth Work with colleagues, clients and service providers
  • Resolving conflict between clients
  • Resolving conflict between colleagues
  • Seeking feedback – ways of seeking feedback
  • Receiving and acting on feedback.
  • Conflict resolution in the group setting
  • Resolving the conflict between personal needs and community needs
  • Using group agreement to prevent and resolve conflict

CHCCOM002 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.2, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.9.

CHCGRP002 2.3, 2.5, 2.6, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3

CHCCDE003 1.3, 2.1, 2.4, 3.7

 

 

9

Rapport building for community development and group work

  • Purpose of rapport building
  • Benefits of positive rapport
  • Worker responsibilities regarding lack of rapport
  • Techniques for building rapport with clients, colleagues and stakeholders

CHCCOM002 1.1, 1.2, 1.3. 1.4, 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6,

CHCGRP002 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.6, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1

CHCCDE003 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 3.3, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8

 

 

10

Identifying the needs of a group or community

  • Review available information and identify the needs of the group
  • Generate ideas for activities that respond to identified needs
  • Gather, analyse and prioritise group needs
  • Negotiate group needs allowing for all voices to be heard
  • Design strategies to ensure all voices are heard and needs are met
  • Research community priorities

CHCCOM002 1.1, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.4, 3.6,

CHCGRP002 1.1, 1.2, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.6,

CHCCDE003 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 3.1, 3.2

 

 

11

Professional behaviour of a youth worker

  • Reflect on personal beliefs or dominant voices to ensure needs are being addressed.
  • Represent your organisation
  • Reflect on work practices to ensure you are meeting your work role responsibilities
  • Recognising and meeting organisational values, mission and vision
  • Finding and following organisational codes of conduct, behaviour expectations
  • YACVic Code of Ethical Practice

CHCCOM002 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 3.4, 3.5, 3.9,

CHCGRP002 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 3.1, 3.3, 3.5, 3.6, 4.2, 4.3

CHCCDE003 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.4, 3.3, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8

 

 

12

Collaboration for effective communication, community development and group work

  • Benefits of collaboration, particularly in resource poor environments
  • Developing and maintaining positive stakeholder and partner relationships.
  • Creating and maintaining Memorandums of Understanding and other formal partnership documents.
  • Decision making and responsibilities within collaborative and partnership relationships

CHCCOM002 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9

CHCGRP002 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3

CHCCDE003 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.8

 

 

13

Administrative and practical responsibilities in community development and group work

  • How to develop a meeting agenda
  • How to take meeting minutes
  • How to complete a formal referral
  • Telephone techniques
  • Documentation for community development and group work.
  • Making submissions for additional resources
  • Organising and managing resources
  • Booking interpretation or translation services

CHCCOM002 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.8, 3.9

CHCGRP002 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2.2, 2.4, 2.6, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3

CHCCDE003 1.3, 2.3, 3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 3.8,

 

 

14

Evaluation

  • Seek and respond to feedback
  • Review and modify work practices based on feedback
  • Evaluate meeting and event processes
  • Build evaluation into work practice
  • Involve clients and partners in evaluation

CHCCOM002 1.2, 1.3, 2.5, 3.9

CHCGRP002 2.2, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3

CHCCDE003 3.5, 3.8

 

 

15

Assessment

  • Complete assessment task 3 in class

 

 

In class assessment task 3: complete the short answer questions 1-5 provided and submit to Canvas

16

Form Groups for Major Assessment

  • Explain the extent of the Major Assessment Task 4
  • Form groups according to teacher preferences (random, student led, choose one partner and join another two groups). Groups must be minimum 5 participants.
  • Explain that students will be conducting a REAL event/activity on RMIT grounds during May.
  • They are to choose a topic/issue of interest to the group (some examples provided) and plan an activity that seeks to address this topic/issue.
  • They will need to conduct FORMAL meetings with agendas and minutes that need to be submitted to demonstrate their understanding of formal meeting and planning processes.

 

 

 

17

Activity Planning

  • Choosing and describing your target group.
  • Finding and describing evidence for your plan.

CHCCOM002: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.8

 

 

18

Activity Planning and Meeting 1

 

CHCCOM002: 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.8, 3.9

 

 

19

Activity Planning

  • Completing a goals and objectives table.
  • Understanding and describing roles and responsibilities.

CHCCOM002:

 

 

20

Activity Planning and Meeting 2

  • Group Activity must have been decided by the end of today.

CHCCOM002: 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.8, 3.9

 

 

21

Activity Planning and Implementation

  • Connecting your project plan to models and theories of community development and group work.

 

 

 

22

Activity Planning, Implementation and Meeting 3

 

CHCCOM002: 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.8, 3.9

 

 

23

Activity Planning and Implementation

  • Legal and Ethical considerations for projects including OH&S considerations.

 

 

 

24

Activity Planning, Implementation and Meeting 4

  • Ensure PART A of your project plan has been completed and submitted by FRIDAY 18th MAY
  • PART A must be submitted BEFORE your planned activity date.

CHCCOM002: 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.8, 3.9

 

Assessment Task 4 Part A due

25

Activity Planning and Implementation

  • Planning your evaluation

 

 

 

26

Activity Planning, Implementation and Meeting 5

 

CHCCOM002: 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.8, 3.9

 

 

27

Activity Implementation

 

 

 

 

28

Activity Implementation and Meeting 6 (if required)

 

CHCCOM002: 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.8, 3.9

 

Assessment Task 4 Part B and D due 

29

Activity Evaluation

 

 

 

 

30

Activity Evaluation

 

 

 

 

31

Final Wrap Up

 

 

 

 

32

Final Wrap Up

 

 

 

Assessment Task 4 Part C due 

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Learning resources

You will be provided with the resources and tools for learning in this course. These resources will also be provided in Canvas. They include recommended texts, relevant learning materials from subject experts and websites, DVD's, class notes and case studies.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Task 1
Write an email to demonstrate professional communication skills

Assessment Task 2
Create a poster to convey EITHER youth work clients rights to privacy and confidentiality OR the service providers responsibility to provide duty of care to youth work clients. 

Assessment Task 3

Written response to five questions  on community development theories and models of practice (100-150 words per questions)

 

Assessment Task 4 

a) Working in groups plan and implement a public community development activity at RMIT. b) Answer  questions regarding the planning, developing, implementing and evaluating of your project c) Arrange a series of meetings and submit an agenda and the minutes for planning and implementing your activity.

d) You should refer to the assessment plan which is available on Canvas for details of each assessment task and for detailed assessment criteria.

Grades that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:
CA: Competency Achieved

NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment

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 Services 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

Professional communication - Email

For this assessment task you are required to apply your knowledge of written professional written communication using the RMIT Style Guide.

Assessment Task 2

Create a poster to convey EITHER youth work clients rights to privacy and confidentiality OR the service providers responsibility to provide duty of care to youth work clients. Make your poster using any digital software OR with paper and pencils/crayons etc. You will need to provide your own materials.

Assessment Task 3

Short Answer Questions.  Written response to five questions  (100-150 words per question)

For this assessment task you are required to apply your knowledge of community development.

Assessment Task 4

Developing and implementing a community-focused project

Working in small groups of 5 or more students to formulate a plan for a community development project. This will include planning, developing, implementing, facilitating and evaluating the project.

There are several parts to this activity:

  1. Plan the project and the details for delivery.
  2. Deliver an event/activity/project at RMIT City Campus.
  3.  Report and reflect on the implementation and evaluation of the project.
  4. Provide evidence of your work as a group.


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

Work Placement

The Certificate IV in Youth Work requires 80 hours of work placement in a youth work organisation, supported by RMIT.

Police Check

You must obtain evidence of a satisfactory National Police Records Check before undertaking work placements and will need to pay the associated costs,
or
You may be required to obtain a satisfactory National Police Records Check at the request of their placement agency.

Working with Children

You must provide evidence of a satisfactory Working with Children check before undertaking work placements and will need to pay the associated costs,
or
You may be required to obtain a satisfactory Working with Children Check at the request of their placement agency.

Immunisation

You may be required to provide evidence of immunisation for certain diseases before undertaking work placement. You will need to discuss the specific requirements of your placement with the course coordinator and/or WIL practitioner and will need to pay the associated costs for immunisations.

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 work submitted in hardcopy. For every piece of work submitted online you will complete an e-Declaration. The signed cover sheet or e-Declaration acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.

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 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

Assessment Appeals
If you believe your assessment result or final result is wrong please contact the course coordinator and provide the reason why you think your result is incorrect. Valid reasons for seeking a review of results include:

  1. You believe an error has occurred in the calculation of the grade; or,
  2. You believe the assessment did not comply with criteria published in the Course Guide; or,
  3. You believe the assessment did not comply with University Policies on Assessment (i.e. an error in process has occurred).

Full details of the procedure (including appeals procedure) can be located at this RMIT site:

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/rights-and-responsibilities/appeals


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 –

Course Overview: Access Course Overview