Course Title: Develop and use financial counselling tools and techniques

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2019

Course Code: BAFI5234C

Course Title: Develop and use financial counselling tools and techniques

School: 365T Global, Urban and Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5360 - Diploma of Financial Counselling

Course Contact: Jo Wallwork

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 3983

Course Contact Email: mary-josephine.wallwork@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 65

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 assess and respond to the immediate and ongoing needs of clients in the context of a strengths-based and client-focused financial counselling model.

This course is clustered with four (4) other courses:

  • CHCFIN001 Facilitate the financial counselling process
  • CHCFIN002 Identify and apply technical information to assist clients with financial issues
  • CHCLEG002 Interpret and use legal information
  • CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice

These five courses are delivered and assessed together.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCFIN003 Develop and use financial counselling tools and techniques

Element:

E1. Clarify client's financial position

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Review and use client information to inform preparation of a statement of assets and liabilities for the client

1.2 Work with the client to prepare a statement of income and expenditure in line with their immediate and ongoing financial situation

1.3 Identify and clarify for the client the different elements of their financial position

Element:

E2. Develop and use advocacy and negotiation tools

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Develop written tools for use in advocacy and negotiation according to organisation protocol

2.2 Identify and source existing standardised resources for use in advocacy

2.3 Apply appropriate negotiation tools and techniques to advocate and negotiate on behalf of client

2.4 Undertake telephone and face-to-face negotiations as required to meet and/or improve client’s financial position

2.5 Obtain third party authority to act on behalf of client in appropriate format

2.6 Collect and use appropriate documentation to support the advocacy process

Element:

E3. Collect and develop resources and provide to clients

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Use standard checklists to develop and review resource materials that contain relevant and current information

3.2 Maintain currency and completeness of available resources

3.3 Prepare resources as a basis for addressing duty of care requirements when undertaking financial counselling with clients

3.4 Provide client with relevant, clear and targeted resource materials to inform and assist the client to improve their financial position

3.5 Undertake research as a basis for preparing an information package on client issues for their later reference

3.6 Ensure written materials are written in a succinct and clear way and are presented logically and sequentially to match third party needs with client objectives

3.7 Ensure all written documentation produced addresses financial counselling sector standards and practices

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. By applying these skills and this knowledge you will be able to analyse and use technical and legal information and develop the appropriate written tools and resources to assist individuals to understand their rights and make informed decisions about financial issues within the context of a strengths-based and client-focused financial counselling model.


Details of Learning Activities

  • In-class activities:
  • teacher directed group activities/projects
  • peer teaching
  • group discussion
  • class exercises to review discussions/lectures
  • role play activities
Out-of-class activities:
  • independent project based work
  • online and other research
  • independent study


Teaching Schedule

workshop one    
  • Consent
  • Ethical considerations
  • conflict of interest
  • appropriateness of FC for client, i.e., is client seeing the right person?
  • Introduce FCA Code of Ethical Conduct
  • Role – client’s expectations
  • Role & responsibilities of both client and FC
  • Referrals – (this will be picked up further and in other units)
  • Legal requirements – such as confidentiality
  • Discussion of WIL placement, how/why this is assessed, what assessment activities for WIL
 workshop two  
  • How to collect financial information and other relevant information
  • Examine and analyse information/client material
  • Contracts
  • Highlight important features of financial position
  • Assist client to identify areas for action
  • Client’ s legal rights and responsibilities
  • Assessing a client’s issue/s
  • Options (including debt)
  • Documentation (legal)
  • Debt and debt recovery
  • Introduction: credit reporting - (students access own credit report)
  • Consequences of options for clients - credit report
  • Consumer Law CALC
 workshop three 
  • Developing Action Plans/Debt Recovery and EDR
  • (CALC for Debt Collection & Going to Court for a Debt)
  • How to identify the need for legal advice
  • Options
  • Consumer protection and legal rights
  • Introduce Reflective practice
 workshop four  
  • Consumer Law (CALC) and Fines Infringement Court/Special Circumstances
  • Bankruptcy – AFSA
  • Debt agreements
  • Options/actions
  • Resources and Referral
  • Finding and managing resources
  • Appropriate resources for client (referrals)
 workshop five
  • Credit Law –
  • Case Studies and Assessment
  • Going to court for a debt
  • Credit Law/Other areas of law (CALC) and Bankruptcy (AFSA)
  • National Hardship Register
  • Courts Process – Small Claims: where do clients go/ who attends this/ Home repossession Court
  • Reflective practice
 workshop six   Ongoing Support/Reflective Practice/Resources and WIRE Micro-finance: Good Shepherd to present re NILS, STEP UP, etc.
 workshop seven

Review
 workshop eight

Final Assessment activity (in-class) - Role play/Observation
  Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

 

Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through:

  • Case study scenarios and questions
  • Knowledge questions
  • Research projects
  • Simulated activities such as role play activities
  • the 220-hour work placement


Assessment Tasks

This course is assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment.   To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assessment tasks to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher when you have completed the assessment tasks.   You should refer to the assessment plan which is available on Canvas for details of each assessment task and for detailed assessment criteria.   Assessment Task 1: Online Quiz and Written Questions Assessment Task 2: Case studies and Written Questions Assessment Task 3: Case studies and Written Questions Assessment Task 4: Case studies and Online Quiz Assessment Task 5: Case studies and Written Questions Assessment Task 6: Personal Development Plan and Written Questions Assessment Task 7: Observation/Role Play (in October workshop)   220-hour work placement


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These matrices are available with the assessment tasks 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   Attendance   It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.   Applying for Special Consideration   If you are seeking an extension of more than seven calendar days (from the original due date) you must lodge an Application for Special Consideration form, preferably prior to, but no later than two working days after the official due date. Late applications will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances. For information about Special Consideration and how to apply, see: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration (http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration)   Assessment Appeals   If you believe your assessment result or final result is wrong please contact the course coordinator and provide the reason why you think your result is incorrect. Valid reasons for seeking a review of results include: 1. a) You believe an error has occurred in the calculation of the grade; or, 2. b) You believe the assessment did not comply with criteria published in the Course Guide; or, 3. c) You believe the assessment did not comply with University Policies on Assessment (i.e. an error in process has occurred). Full details of the procedure (including appeals procedure) can be located at this RMIT site: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/policies/academic#assessment (http://www1.rmit.edu.au/policies/academic#assessment)   Academic Integrity     Academic integrity means honesty and responsibility in scholarship through respecting the work of others whilst having the freedom to build new insights, new knowledge and ideas. RMIT University upholds the values of academic integrity as fundamental to the scholarship undertaken by all members of its community. Whenever you refer to another person’s research or ideas (either by directly quoting or paraphrasing them) you must acknowledge your source. If you are even in doubt about how to properly cite a reference, consult your lecturer or the academic integrity website: http://www.rmit.edu.au/academicintegrity (http://www.rmit.edu.au/academicintegrity) The RMIT library provides tools to assist with your referencing http://www1.rmit.edu.au/library/referencing (http://www1.rmit.edu.au/library/referencing)   Plagiarism and Collusion   Plagiarism and collusion constitute extremely serious academic misconduct, and are forms of cheating. You are reminded that cheating, whether by fabrication, falsification of data, or plagiarism, is an offence subject to University disciplinary procedures. Plagiarism is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person as though it is your own. It is a form of cheating and is a very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University. Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic data, and oral presentations. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not appropriately cited. Plagiarism is not acceptable. Examples of plagiarism include: Copying sentences or paragraphs word-for-word from one or more sources, whether published or unpublished, which could include but is not limited to books, journals, reports, theses, websites, conference papers, course notes, etc. without proper citation; Closely paraphrasing sentences, paragraphs, ideas or themes without proper citation; Piecing together text from one or more sources and adding only linking sentences; Copying or submitting whole or parts of computer files without acknowledging their source; Copying designs or works of art and submitting them as your original work; Copying a whole or any part of another student's work; and Submitting work as your own that someone else has done for you. Enabling Plagiarism: the act of assisting or allowing another person to plagiarise or to copy your own work is also an offence. For further information, please see the RMIT Plagiarism Policy – http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=sg4yfqzod48g1 (unresolved) (http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=sg4yfqzod48g1) (unresolved) – and the RMIT Student Conduct Regulations – http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=r7a7an6qug93 (http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=r7a7an6qug93)   Complaints Procedure:   RMIT University is committed to providing a harmonious study and work environment for all students and staff. The University recognises your right to raise concerns about academic, administrative or support services without recrimination and has policies and procedures to assist in the resolution of complaints. Most issues are resolved at the local level and you are encouraged to take steps to resolve your issue locally. The student complaint procedure details steps to take if your problem is not resolved or you believe the response you received is unreasonable. See this link on the RMIT webpage for further information: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/rights-and-responsibilities/complaints (https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/rights-and-responsibilities/complaints)   Working with Children Check – This course requires a Working with Children Check Police Check – This course requires a satisfactory Police Check   Course Overview: Access Course Overview (http://www1.rmit.edu.au/courses/C5360051483) Course Overview: Access Course Overview (http://www1.rmit.edu.au/courses/C5360051681)

Course Overview: Access Course Overview