Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2025

Course Code: HWSS5773C

Course Title: Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness

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: 85

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 course, you will be developing the skills and knowledge required to work with people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless, including woman and children experiencing family violence.  

You will be focusing on some of the structural issues that affect people in relation to homelessness so that in your role as a youth worker you will be able to support clients experiencing or at risk of being homeless

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	CHCSOH013 Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness
Element:	1.1. Reflect on own personal values and attitudes regarding homelessness and take these into account when planning and implementing work activities. 1.2. Identify barriers in accessing safe and secure housing for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. 1.3. Provide opportunities for people to participate in service planning and support activities. 1.4. Assess personal safety of people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless and report and refer those in unsafe situations according to organisational policies and procedures and legislative requirements. 1.5. Assess issues impacting on person's homelessness risk and situation and modify approach to service delivery. 1.6. Work with person to identify and discuss potential solutions to complex issues raised, including referral to key agencies, services and personnel. 1.7. Provide advice and assistance on housing options.
Performance Criteria:	1.1. Reflect on own personal values and attitudes regarding homelessness and take these into account when planning and implementing work activities. 1.2. Identify barriers in accessing safe and secure housing for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. 1.3. Provide opportunities for people to participate in service planning and support activities. 1.4. Assess personal safety of people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless and report and refer those in unsafe situations according to organisational policies and procedures and legislative requirements. 1.5. Assess issues impacting on person's homelessness risk and situation and modify approach to service delivery. 1.6. Work with person to identify and discuss potential solutions to complex issues raised, including referral to key agencies, services and personnel. 1.7. Provide advice and assistance on housing options.
Element:	2.1. Advocate and negotiate for services in conjunction with person according to person's needs. 2.2. Support person to advocate and negotiate on their own behalf and deal with discrimination. 2.3. Negotiate and create access pathways to support services and social and private housing providers. 2.4. Select and use advocacy techniques appropriate and sensitive to cultural background, age and gender. 2.5. Advocate within the community to facilitate addressing issues on behalf of people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.
Performance Criteria:	2.1. Advocate and negotiate for services in conjunction with person according to person's needs. 2.2. Support person to advocate and negotiate on their own behalf and deal with discrimination. 2.3. Negotiate and create access pathways to support services and social and private housing providers. 2.4. Select and use advocacy techniques appropriate and sensitive to cultural background, age and gender. 2.5. Advocate within the community to facilitate addressing issues on behalf of people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.

Learning Outcomes

 In this course, you will be developing the skills and knowledge required to work with people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless, including woman and children experiencing family violence.  

You will be focusing on some of the structural issues that affect people in relation to homelessness so that in your role as a youth worker you will be able to support clients experiencing or at risk of being homeless

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

WeekTopic Assessment due    1 What does Homelessness Mean in Australia?Questions to frame the discussion: What does homelessness mean in Australia? How are people classified as homeless? Who are the homeless? Why are they homeless? How to recognise and challenge social attitudes and personal values regarding homelessness Structural causes that allow and maintain homelessness  Issues impacting groups and sub-groups, i.e. youth, women and children, refugee/asylum, disability, older persons - consider the complex social issues impacting on these groups  Week2 Gender Experience of HomelessnessRisk and contributing factors of homelessness Where do we find out information about housing services?  Research activity for housing services - Assessment work  3 Assessing a client’s homelessness risk or situationTypes of assessment tools and understanding homelessness risk criteria Gathering information and requesting information from other sources Identifying barriers to accessing accommodation services Reporting children at risk of homelessness  Advocating for and with clients Helping the client to advocate for themselves with government agencies and service providers Advocating within the community to address homelessness and tenancy issues Providing advice and assistance on housing options Working with client to help identify solutions Researching housing options Providing appropriate and relevant information Completing Assessment Task 1 - Role Play   AT14Completing assessment Task 2 : Role PlayAT25AT36Completing AT4 – Knowledge Questions 7Completing AT4 – Knowledge QuestionsAT48Review and assessment completion 9Review and assessment completion

Completing AT3 : Role Play

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 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-Online knowledge quiz

Assessment task 2 Practical- Role play-Stella

Assessment task 3 Practical- Role play-Scott

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 application please visit www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration or 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