Course Title: Undertake community sector work within own community

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2012

Course Code: HWSS5453C

Course Title: Undertake community sector work within own community

School: 365T Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5247 - Diploma of Community Development

Course Contact : Anne Fitzpatrick

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4510

Course Contact Email:anne.fitzpatrick@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Anthony Graham
Program Manager
Community Services
School of Global Studies, Social Science & Planning
RMIT University
City Campus
Tel:+61 3 99254411
 

Mandy Morrison
Diploma Community Development
Community Services
RMIT University, City Campus
Ph:99254065
 

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

There are no pre-requisite courses required.

Course Description

This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to work within community and government structures to enable community development processes.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCCS421A Undertake community sector work within own community

Element:

 

Performance Criteria:

1. Address cultural issues and complexities when working in own community

1.1 Apply an understanding of the cultural issues and complexities of working with own community
1.2 Identify historical, social, political, economic and environmental factors which currently impact on people in the community
1.3 Identify potential issues related to the delivery of programs and services to own community for self and community members
1.4 Identify current strategies, programs and models that address identified issues and apply in work practice
 

2. Apply appropriate service frameworks and models

2.1 Identify suitable services and organisations and clarify their potential role and approach to addressing community issues
2.2 Identify appropriate frameworks for service delivery in the community, taking into account potential issues and conflicts related to service delivery
2.3 Promote and select services and approaches that support individuals and the community to be self-determining and empowered
2.4 Demonstrate commitment to achieving access and equity to services for community members, in line with identified need
2.5 Establish and maintain networks with relevant agencies and associated services (e.g. housing agencies) to support individuals and communities

3. Work in a culturally safe manner

3.1 Consider and respect local community values, beliefs and roles when providing services to individuals and the community
3.2 Apply cultural safety protocols in implementing government policies, undertaking research and data collection and delivering services to individuals and the community
3.3 Identify cultural or belief based factors that may present a barrier to behaviour change and/or adaptation to current circumstances
3.4 Identify cultural or belief based factors that may produce stress and have a potential to impact own work practices and report to organisation as appropriate to support service delivery and personal well being
3.5 Deliver services safely as limited by own level of competence and responsibility and in line with organisation policies, regulatory requirements and community protocols

4. Apply strategies and policies relevant to service delivery

4.1 Identify aspects of organisation service strategies, policies, bodies and resources relevant to work in specific communities
4.2 Apply strategies and policies to address identified needs of individuals and the community
4.3 Identify barriers to access and equity in relation to services
4.4 Take available opportunities to advocate on behalf of individuals and/or the community
4.5 Maintain confidentiality of client information
 


Learning Outcomes


By completing this unit you will achieve and demonstrate competence in the following elements:

  1. Work within the structures and process of the organisation 
  2. Assess extent to which organisation supports community development work
  3. Utilise all levels of government for community development activities and projects
  4. Maintain the profile of community development work within the organisation
  5. Maintain management support for community development activities and projects


Details of Learning Activities

Students will study concepts and strategies relating to community sector work in the workshop sessions and online (Blackboard discussion) engagement, prescribed exercises and assessment work. These concepts will also be explored through the investigation of appropriate real world and simulated environments.
 


Teaching Schedule

Workshops will be offered on a monthly basis during the academic year. Workshops are linked to units of competency. An initial upfront assessment will occur with the student that will take into account recognition of current competency and prior learning. The individual student’s knowledge, skills and experience will be considered. Based on this process the student will then have an individual learning plan developed that will highlight the students workshop attendance.
 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Learning resources such as unit reading, unit references will be provided to all students via their program folders and also placed within the blackboard site as required.
 


Overview of Assessment

Assessment in this unit will be through a mix of in-class tasks, workplace based projects and a workplace assessment. An upfront assessment to develop an individual learning plan will occur. An individual assessment appointment will be undertaken once per year with each student to allow students to present and discuss workplace evidence.


Assessment Tasks

A student must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of this particular competency and assessment tasks are based on the requirements of the essential aspects of evidence as outlined in the unit of competency: CHCCS421A: Undertake community sector work within own community.
Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks.
A workplace assessment appointment will be undertaken to allow students to present and discuss workplace evidence: Based on the individual student’s knowledge, skills and experience: an individual learning plan will be negotiated and developed.
Assessment may incorporate a variety of methods including responses to task questions, in class activities, case studies, and the development of project work in consultation with the Course Coordinator ( assessor) and the student’s workplace.
Student will also be asked to complete an evidence portfolio documenting workplace practise as linked to the unit of competency. Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their Course Coordinator to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.
 


Assessment Matrix

A combination of assessment activities based on each individual student’s learning plans may be developed as required.
Assessments will be based on the level of the individual student’s knowledge, skills and experience as ascertained at a workplace meeting where workplace evidence is discussed and presented.
At completion of the course an evidence portfolio will validate competence with the assessment task activities’ completed for any competency gaps.
 

CHCCS421A: Undertake community sector work within own community.
 
Task questions Case study Workplace project work In class activities Development of an evidence portfolio based on workplace practise
Element 1 X X X X X
Element 2 X X X X X
Element 3 X X X X X
Element 4 X X X X X

Course Overview: Access Course Overview