Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2024

Course Code: EMPL7098C

Course Title: Reflect on and improve own professional practice

School: 535T Social Care and Health

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4432 - 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: 120

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 unit describes the skills and knowledge required to evaluate and enhance own practice through a process of reflection and ongoing professional development.

This unit applies to workers in all industry sectors who take pro-active responsibility for their own professional development.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice
Element:	1. Reflect on own practice
Performance Criteria:	1.1 Undertake self-evaluation in conjunction with supervisors and/or peers 1.2 Reflect on and recognise the effect of values, beliefs and behaviour in practice 1.3 Share two-way, open and evaluative feedback with co-workers or peers 1.4 Actively seek and reflect on feedback from clients, organisations or other relevant sources
Element:	2. Enhance own practice
Performance Criteria:	2.1 Determine improvements needed based on own evaluation and feedback from others 2.2 Identify potential support networks both internal and external to the organisation 2.3 Seek specialist advice or further training where need is identified 2.4 Recognise requirements for self-care and identify requirements for additional support 2.5 Devise, document and implement a self development plan that sets realistic goals and targets
Element:	3. Facilitate ongoing professional development
Performance Criteria:	3.1 Access and review information on current and emerging industry developments and use these to improve practice 3.2 Assess and confirm own practice against ethical and legal requirements and opportunities 3.3 Identify and engage with opportunities to extend and expand own expertise 3.4 Regularly participate in review processes as a commitment to upgrading skills and knowledge

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 is predominately delivered face to face.  Demonstration of skills and knowledge is conducted during face to face workshops.

Teaching Schedule

Course Schedule:   Reflect on and improve own professional practice	Semester 1: 2024
Week	Topic
Week 1	Introduction to the Community Services/Human services sector How did we get here: Historical perspective of the sector? Principles of Social justice and human rights Power and Empowerment in practice Organisational Practice: getting to know the sector Understanding and purpose of Community Services organisations The Domains of Practice Emerging industry developments/issues in the Community Services sector	Overview of all assessment tasks
Week 2	Professional Practice: developing a professional identity. Values and Ethics in Practice Code of conduct ACWA code of ethics and Practice Guidelines
Week 3	Professional Practice: developing a professional identity.  Worker’s rights and responsibilities Duty of Care Professional Boundaries
Week 4	Ethical Practice and Ethical Decision-Making Processes Distinguishing between ethical issues, problems, and dilemmas Ethical issues in practice areas Models of Ethical Decision Making
Week 5	Reflective Practice Models  Types of models (Gibbs and Kolb) Models in action
Week 6	Guest Speaker Assessment 1 workshop session
Week 7	Assessment 1 Preparation in class Assessment task 1- Part 1: In class presentations	Assessment Preparation: Assessment Task 1 Class Presentations (Part 1 due)
Week 8- Week 10	Assessment Task 1 In class Presentations	Assessment 1- Written Task (part 2 and 3) Due
Week 11	Ways of learning Journal writing Learning styles Assessment task 2 overview
Week 14	Enhancing own practice  The importance of Supervision Supervision Models
Week 15	Self-care The importance of Self Care Vicarious Trauma/Compassion fatigue/Burnout
Week 16	Review and reflection Finalising of assessments Course review Reflection on learning	Assessment 2: Written Task Due

 

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

Learning materials will be provide in canvas

Overview of Assessment

There are two individual assessment tasks consisting of case study analysis and short answer questions. 

Assessment Tasks

You will be given two (2) attempts for each assessment to demonstrate the required knowledge and 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: Students will present a case study to a group of student peers and answer a series of questions relevant to the case study. Each student will be required to collect feedback from their peers after their presentation. Students will employ Reflective practice skills to complete a written piece on the case scenario task and incorporate the feedback received from group members. 

 

Assessment task 2: Students will be required to create a personal development plan relevant to the Community Services Sector that includes goals, timeframes, and ways of measuring their progress. Students will be asked to reflect on the process of considering their personal and professional development. 

Assessment Matrix

A marking rubric for each assessment task is located on Canvas

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