Course Title: Work in an alcohol and other drugs context

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2022

Course Code: HWSS6083C

Course Title: Work in an alcohol and other drugs context

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.  

School: 535T Social Care and Health

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4363 - Certificate IV in Community Services

Course Contact: Melinda Brown

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4580

Course Contact Email: melinda.brown@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 80

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 establish and work within the current context, philosophy and values of the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector.

This course applies to workers who come into contact with clients affected by alcohol and other drugs.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	CHCAOD001 Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
Element:	1. Establish the context for AOD work
Performance Criteria:	1.1 Research, analyse and maintain up-to-date knowledge and awareness of the social, political, economic and legal contexts of AOD 1.2 Research and analyse impacts of AOD policy frameworks on AOD work practice 1.3 Apply understanding of the historical and social constructs of alcohol and drugs and the changes in alcohol and drug use
Element:	2. Apply understanding of context to AOD practice
Performance Criteria:	2.1 Apply knowledge of broad and specific AOD contexts to AOD work practice 2.2 Identify and use legal frameworks that impact on AOD work 2.3 Identify, review and apply information about evidence based models and frameworks of AOD work
Element:	3. Integrate the core values and principles of AOD work into practice
Performance Criteria:	3.1 Assess AOD practice values and ensure support and interventions are person-centred 3.2 Apply a harm minimisation approach to maximise support for the AOD client 3.3 Support the client’s rights and safety, including access and equity of services
Element:	4. Apply understanding of the impact of values in AOD practice
Performance Criteria:	4.1 Reflect on personal values and attitudes regarding AOD use and acknowledge their potential impact when working in AOD contexts 4.2 Apply awareness of organisations’ values 4.3 Consider client values in determining interventions and supports

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 has a blended delivery.  Classes are predominantly delivered face to face with demonstration of skill and knowledge conducted during face to face workshops.

During online classes, information is shared through talks, discussions and activities.  Exercises will be will be conducted to apply learning. 

Teaching Schedule

Course Schedule: Work in an AOD context                        Semester 2
Week	Topic
Week 1	Establishing the context of the AOD work Social, political, economic and legal contexts of AOD Historical and social constructs – definitions and perceptions of drugs, drug use, prevention and treatment The values and philosophies of the AOD sector Overview of Assessments in Class
Week 2	Identifying drug classes, impacts and use The historic, current and emerging patterns of use Identifying drug classes, primary properties and harm, how they are administered Identifying signs and symptoms of use Preparation for Assessment 1 in Class
Week 3	Meeting legal and ethical requirements Working with legal framework and meeting ethical requirements Identifying and following organisational values Reflecting on the impact of own attitudes Preparation for Assessment 2 in Class
Week 4	Identifying Therapeutic intervention models Understanding historic models of practice and their impacts Determining and reviewing current evidence-based models Looking at emerging models of practice Overview of Assessment 3
Week 5	Applying AOD values and philosophies to practice Making sure practice is person-centred Promoting recovery and health Empowering clients and supporting rights Finalise Assessment task 3
Week 6	Identifying services and strategies Identifying the services available to support client such as day programs, withdrawal services, inpatient and outreach etc. Understanding the different types of prevention and intervention strategies provided by services Prepare for Assessment task 4 (Role Plays)
Week 7	Undertake Assessment task 4 (Role Plays) in class
Week 8	Undertake Assessment task 4 (Role Plays) in class Unit evaluation and assessment catch up
*Course Duration and content subject to change at teachers discretion*

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

N/A

Overview of Assessment

Assessment task 1: Research and evaluation

Assessment task 2: Case study/Questions

Assessment task 3: Short answer questions

Assessment task 4: Role play

Assessment Tasks

Assessment task 1:Research and evaluation

This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to critically evaluate information relevant to the AOD sector whilst also being able to provide reputable information to your clients where required. 

There are 3 tasks in this assessment which relate to evaluating information, providing information to client and researching into AOD frameworks.

Assessment task 2:Case study/Questions

This task allows you to demonstrate that you have the skills and knowledge, related to working with clients that have alcohol and drug issues in a way that is consistent with the AOD sector. You are required to answer 15 questions in relation to three (3) case studies. 

Assessment task 3: Short answer questions

The objective of this task is to demonstrate your knowledge in relation to working in the alcohol and other drugs context. This is a written assessment task in which you will respond to 20 short answer questions. This task will be completed in your own time. 

Assessment task 4: Role plays

This task allows you to demonstrate how to work in an alcohol and other drugs context. You are required to participate in two (2) role plays to demonstrate working in the role of a support worker with a client. 

Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix is located in Canvas, at the end of each assessment task.

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

Course Overview: Access Course Overview