Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2025

Course Code: HUSO5216C

Course Title: Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety

Important Information:

This course is delivered and assessed as a stand-alone unit. 

School: 535T Social Care and Health

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4429 - Certificate IV in Youth Work

Course Contact: Dianne Mackay

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 99254454

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


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 25

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 is designed to give you the skills and knowledge required to identify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural safety issues in the workplace, model cultural safety in your own work practice and develop and evaluate strategies to enhance cultural safety at work.

This course applies to people working in a broad range of roles including those involved in direct client service, program planning, development and evaluation contexts.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety

Element:

1.1 Identify the potential impact of cultural factors on service delivery to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients 1.2 Identify critical issues that influence relationships and communication with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people 1.3 Establish key aspects of cultural safety in consultation with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people 1.4 Evaluate the extent to which cultural safety is integrated in own work and workplace

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify the potential impact of cultural factors on service delivery to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients 1.2 Identify critical issues that influence relationships and communication with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people 1.3 Establish key aspects of cultural safety in consultation with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people 1.4 Evaluate the extent to which cultural safety is integrated in own work and workplace

Element:

2.1 Ensure work practices are grounded in awareness of one's own cultural bias 2.2 Reflect awareness of own and other cultures in work practices 2.3 Use communication techniques and work practices that show respect for the cultural differences of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people 2.4 Engage with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander interpreters and colleagues as cultural brokers, according to situation needs

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Ensure work practices are grounded in awareness of one's own cultural bias 2.2 Reflect awareness of own and other cultures in work practices 2.3 Use communication techniques and work practices that show respect for the cultural differences of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people 2.4 Engage with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander interpreters and colleagues as cultural brokers, according to situation needs

Element:

3.1 Support the development of effective partnerships between staff, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and their communities 3.2 Identify and utilise resources to promote partnerships 3.3 Devise and document ways to support the delivery of services and programs that are culturally safe and encourage increased participation 3.4 Integrate strategies that encourage self-determination and community control in services and programs

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Support the development of effective partnerships between staff, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and their communities 3.2 Identify and utilise resources to promote partnerships 3.3 Devise and document ways to support the delivery of services and programs that are culturally safe and encourage increased participation 3.4 Integrate strategies that encourage self-determination and community control in services and programs

Element:

4.1 Agree outcomes against which cultural safety strategies can be measured 4.2 Involve Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in evaluations 4.3 Evaluate programs and services against desired outcomes 4.4 Revise strategies based on evaluation with appropriate engagement of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Agree outcomes against which cultural safety strategies can be measured 4.2 Involve Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in evaluations 4.3 Evaluate programs and services against desired outcomes 4.4 Revise strategies based on evaluation with appropriate engagement of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people


Learning Outcomes


This course is designed to give you the skills and knowledge required to identify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural safety issues in the workplace, model cultural safety in your own work practice and develop and evaluate strategies to enhance cultural safety at work.

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


Details of Learning Activities

This course will have face to face on campus sessions 

In-class activities: 

Teacher directed classroom learning activities

teacher directed group activities/projects 

group discussion 

class activities to review discussions/lectures 

role play

Guest Speakers

Out-of-class activities: 

independent assessment -based work,

Reading and research

independent study 


Teaching Schedule

Week Topic Assessment / Learning activities

Day1

Module 1, 2 & 3

Module 1: Country

  • Culture
  • Cultural safety
  • Cultural sensitivity
  • Welcome to and Acknowledgement's of Country
  • Introduction to the Kulin Nation
  • Overview of AST2- Reflective Portfolio

Module 2: Culture

  • Diversity in culture
  • Cultural experience in healthcare
  • Kinship 

    Module 3: Impacts of Settlement

    • Sensitive issues
    • Grief and loss
    • Impact of colonisation, racism and stereotyping
Overview of Assessment tasks

Day 2

Module 4 & 5

 

Module 4: Health Issues

  • Influence of social, political and economic circumstances on health status
  • Specific health care issues including cardiovascular, social and emotional wellbeing etc.
  • 2020 Closing the Gap report 

    Module 5: Societal Issues

    • Stolen generations and The Apology
    • Deaths in custody
    • Recognition by Government 
    • Disparity in rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
 

Day 3

Module 6,7 & 8

Module 6: Legislation

  • Rights
  • Legislation for Cultural Safety 

    Module 7: Impacts of your Culture

    • Unconscious bias
    • Consulting with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

      Module 8: Walking Together

      • Cultural safety evaluation
      • Cross-cultural communication
      • Supporting delivery of culturally safe services and programs
      • Resources needed to promote partnerships
      • Engaging cultural brokers

Assessment Task 1 Knowledge Questions

Assessment 2 Reflective Portfolio: 

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through: 

 

The Learning Lab 

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab

The Study Support Hub  

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub

English for uni workshops 

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/workshops/english-uni-workshops


Overview of Assessment

This course is delivered and assessed as a stand-alone unit. 

Students are 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.


Assessment Tasks

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency.  To be assessed competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace. To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.  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.

Assessment Task 1 Knowledge Questions

Assessment Task 2  Reflective Portfolio

 


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These mapping documents are available through Program Administration if required.

The assessment Rubric is Available in Canvas.

Other Information

Attendance:  

Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises   

You are required to attend a minimum of 80% of all classes to successfully complete each unit and all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully

information about your studies:  

You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.  

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students  

  

Extensions of time for submission of assessable work: 

If you are prevented from submitting an assessment on time by circumstances outside your control you may apply for an extension of up to seven (7) calendar days in writing (email) to your Program Coordinator one working day BEFORE the due date. Eligibility criteria for application and the form is available from the link: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work 

Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration. 

Special consideration: 

If due to illness or other unforeseen circumstance, you are unable to attend on the due date of an assessment (e.g. test, examination, oral, etc.), you may submit an application for special consideration within 5 working days of the due date. If special consideration is granted, you will be given the opportunity to complete/repeat the assessment task at a later date. For advice on this applicationplease visit www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsiderationor speak to your Program Coordinator. 

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:  

RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.  

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity  

  

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning:   

Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).  

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.    

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.  

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit  

Course Overview: Access Course Overview