Course Title: Work legally and ethically

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2017

Course Code: HWSS6068C

Course Title: Work legally and ethically

School: 365T Global, Urban and Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4363 - Certificate IV in Community Services

Course Contact: Bronwyn Tanti

Course Contact Phone: 9925 9079

Course Contact Email: bronwyn.tanti@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 55

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

This course describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and work within the legal and ethical frameworks that apply to an individual job role.

This course applies to community services and health workers who play a proactive role in identifying and meeting their legal and ethical responsibilities.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically

Element:

1. Identify and respond to legal requirements

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify, access and interpret sources of information about the legal requirements that apply to the work role

1.2 Identify the scope and nature of own legal rights and responsibilities

1.3 Adhere to legal requirements in work practice according to workplace policies and procedures and scope of role

1.4 Recognise potential or actual breaches and report according to organisation procedures

Element:

2. Identify and meet ethical responsibilities

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Identify, access and interpret sources of information about the ethical responsibilities that apply to the work role

2.2 Identify the scope and nature of own ethical responsibilities

2.3 Meet ethical responsibilities according to workplace policies and protocols, and scope of role

2.4 Recognise potential ethical issues and dilemmas, and discuss with an appropriate person

2.5 Recognise own personal values and attitudes and take into account to ensure non-judgemental practice

2.6 Use effective problem solving techniques when exposed to competing value systems

2.7 Recognise unethical conduct and report to an appropriate person

2.8 Recognise potential and actual conflicts of interest and take appropriate action

Element:

3. Contribute to workplace improvements

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Identify situations where work practices could be improved to meet legal and ethical responsibilities

3.2 Pro-actively share feedback with colleagues and supervisors

3.3 Identify and take opportunities to contribute to the review and development of policies and protocols

Learning Outcomes


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


Details of Learning Activities

Classes where information is shared through talks and discussions, and workshops where exercises are conducted to apply learning. Time is spent during classes and workshops for students to work on group and individual assessment tasks.


Teaching Schedule

Week 1

Identifying and meeting legal requirements

·         Community services’ legislative framework and organisational policies and                 procedures

·         Rights and responsibilities, duty of care and dignity of risk

·         Identifying and responding to breaches

Week 2

Identifying ethical requirements

·         Understanding codes of ethics/practice

·         Identifying the scope and nature of your ethical responsibilities

·         Identifying personal values and attitudes to ensure non-judgemental practice

Week 3

Dealing with ethical issues

·         Recognising and discussing potential ethical issues and dilemmas

·         Using problem solving techniques to deal with competing value systems

·         Recognising and responding to unethical conduct

·         Recognising and responding to conflicts of interest

Week 4

Contributing to workplace improvements

·         Identifying ideas for improvements to practice

·         Sharing feedback with others

·         Contributing the review and development of policies and protocols

Week 5

Assessment workshop and activities

·         Workplace activity simulation

·         Students participate in assessed, simulated activities


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment task 1: Individual assessment

Assessment task2: Group assessment

Assessment task 3: Online quiz


Assessment Tasks

Assessment task 1: Respond to case studies relating to legal breaches and ethical dilemmas when working with clients and colleagues.

Assessment task 2: Complete simulated workplace activities that meet legal, ethical and organisational requirements.

Assessment task 3: Complete one online, self-paced quiz on the key issues and concepts relating to working legally and ethically as a community services worker.

 

 


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. The matrices are available through Program administration

Other Information

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 SubmissionsYou must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work, including online submissions. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of implications of plagiarism.

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 an Extension

Extension of time for assessment tasks may be granted where circumstances beyond your control prevent submission by the published due date. Speak with your teacher or course coordinator regarding applying for an extension.

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

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 – http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=r7a7an6qug93

Plagiarism Software

The originality verification software Turnitin may be used in this course. For details, see: http://www.turnitin.com

Complaints Procedure:

RMIT University is committed to providing a harmonious study and work environment for all students and staff. The University recognises your right to raise concerns about academic, administrative or support services without recrimination and has policies and procedures to assist in the resolution of complaints.

Most issues are resolved at the local level and you are encouraged to take steps to resolve your issue locally. The student complaint procedure details steps to take if your problem is not resolved or you believe the response you received is unreasonable.

Student Complaints Policy: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/policies/studentcomplaintspolicy

Student complaints Procedure: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=i1lexipvjt22

Student Complaints Form: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/v4ujvmyojugxz.pdf



 

Police Checks

Students must obtain their own police check by the due date and pay the associated costs. Students who do not obtain a required police clearance by the due date shall not be able to undertake a practical placement or work experience activity that requires a Police Check.

 

The University shall not be obligated to organise a placement for a student who does not wish to obtain a Police Check.

Where required by the workplace, students shall provide a copy of their police check on request.

 

If a student is rejected by a workplace on the basis of a Police Check, the following actions shall occur, as appropriate:

-               advise the student of the outcome; and

-               discuss placement options with the student; and/or

-               provide program and career counselling.

 

RMIT will not store Police Checks on student files

 

Early Termination of Placement

Under section 6 of the WIL Procedure, a placement may be ended early by the host organisation or School due to the student’s conduct and/or performance during the placement.

Possible reasons for such decisions may include, but are not limited to-

  • failure to follow processes required for safety
  • breach of client or patient confidentiality
  • failure to comply with the instructions of supervisors
  • or other unprofessional behaviour

Where a placement ends early, a meeting will be convened to discuss the sequence of events that led to the termination. This meeting will precede any consideration of a student’s progress by the Progress Panel (if applicable) or Program Assessment Board.

 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview