Course Title: Work within a relevant legal and ethical framework

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2015

Course Code: HWSS5704C

Course Title: Work within a relevant legal and ethical framework

School: 365T Global, Urban & Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4352 - Certificate IV in Youth Work

Course Contact : Jennifer Brooker

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4115

Course Contact Email:jennifer.brooker@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Trevor Bayley

trevor.bayley@rmit.edu.au

Mario Pozega

Mario.pozega@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

In this course you will develop 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:

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
 

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
 

Learning Outcomes


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


Details of Learning Activities

This course learning activities will be supported and complimented by RMIT’s on line learning management tool “Blackboard. 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
• Group work projects
• Questioning
• Reflections and reviewing own value systems


Teaching Schedule

Week 1

  • Introduction to the course : Learning intentions – Overview of Skills and Knowledge required
  • Workplace and work role context
  • Legal and Ethical practice in a youth work context
  • Statutory and regulatory requirements
  • Common Law
  • Duty of Care
  • Responsibilities of the role/Boundaries
     

Week 2

  • Reflection on learning intentions and knowledge gained from previous session
  • Children Youth and Families Act 2005
  • Overview of Court systems /jurisdiction
  • Policies, procedures and protocols – What are they, why are they important, importance of policy frameworks in community work
  • Relationship to work role

Week 3

  • Reflection on learning intentions and knowledge gained from previous session
  • Ethics: Definition and work context
  • YACVIC Code of Ethics: work role implications
  • Rights and responsibilities and work boundaries.
  • Confidentiality and consent: workplace applications
  • Dealing with ethical issues and dilemmas.
  • Reflection on own values and attitudes and how these could impact on the work role.
     

Week 4

  • Reflection on learning intentions and knowledge gained from previous session
  • Advocacy: strategies and skills sets to support client advocacy work
  • Referrals to appropriate service to support and address identified needs.
  • ATSI Legal services, Community Legal Services etc.
  • Managing and resolving complaints
     

Week 5

  • Reflection on learning intentions and knowledge gained from previous session
  • Child protection: signs of financial, physical, emotional and sexual abuse and neglect.
  • Mandatory reporting
  • Understanding diversity and how to responding appropriately.
  • Learning Intentions reflection: skills and knowledge gained.
     


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Additional resources will also be available ‘Blackboard’. A set of readings will be made available to you including journals and texts that may support you in the program.


Overview of Assessment

The assessment tasks for this course consists of three written tasks which are both homework and class-based, and are centred around case studies presented in class and a field trip to the Children’s Court.


Assessment Tasks

Assessment tasks

1. Written response to a case study relating to a court appearance for a young person

2. Small classroom based assessments (one per class):

(a) Key legislation and common law impacting on work role (written report)
(b) Review a policy and procedure document identifying key features. (Group work)
(c) Ethics: written report on working ethically with reference to YACVIC Code of ethics.
(d) Quiz on signs of financial, physical, emotional, sexual abuse and neglect and responses.


 


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant course. These are available from the Program Co-ordinator.

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
 

• A Police Check and a Working With Children Check are required to do this course and must be shown to staff before placement can commence and be counted towards your hours.
 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview