Course Title: Develop and use financial counselling tools and techniques
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2021
Course Code: BAFI5234C
Course Title: Develop and use financial counselling tools and techniques
School: 375T Vocational Design and Social Context
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 two (2) other courses:
- CHCFIN001 Facilitate the financial counselling process
- CHCFIN002 Identify and apply technical information to assist clients with financial issues
These three 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 (campus-based and online classroom) activities:
- teacher directed group activities/projects
- peer teaching
- group discussion
- class activities to review discussions/lectures
- role play activities
- independent project-based work online and other research
- independent study
Teaching Schedule
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Workshop 1
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History of Financial Counselling The work and Role of the Financial Counsellor - Part 1: Ethical considerations Confidentiality Conflict of Interest Informed Consent Responsibilities of Financial Counsellor Rights of the Client Financial Counselling Model Skills Required by a Financial Counsellor Service Delivery
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Workshop 2
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Part 1: Responding to Initial Client Contact Initial Response Skills for a Financial Counselling Interview Initial Interview Client Files Confidentiality Supervision and Reporting |
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Workshop 3
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Part 2: Responding to Initial Client Contact Initial Response Skills for a Financial Counselling Interview Initial Interview Client Files Confidentiality Supervision and Reporting |
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Workshop 4
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Part 1: Assessing the Clients Financial Situation Review Income Sources Clients Living Expenses Identify Types of Debt Statement of Financial Position Asset & Liability Statements Analysing the Results
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Workshop 5
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Part 2: Assessing the Clients Financial Situation Review Income Sources Clients Living Expenses Identify Types of Debt Statement of Financial Position Asset & Liability Statements Analysing the Results Fines Presentation |
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Workshop 6
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External Dispute Resolution Debt Collection Legislation & Guidelines Options Consequence of Non Payment Credit Reporting
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Workshop 7
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External Dispute Resolution Debt Collection Legislation & Guidelines Options Consequence of Non Payment Credit Reporting
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Workshop 8
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Identify appropriate referral and support services Collect and develop resources to provide to clients Resources and referrals
Fines Presentation |
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Workshop 9
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Developing an Action Plan & Monitor Progress (provide ongoing support) Client Termination National Hardship Register Centrelink to present to class Micro-finance: Good Shepherd to present re NILS, STEP UP, etc
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Workshop 10 & 11
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Final in-class assessment – bringing all parts together & incorporating Counselling Assessment – demonstrating the full financial counselling interview (two days)
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Please note: this outline is a guide to the sessions delivered. Changes may need to be made to accommodate industry presenters. |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through:
Knowledge Questions
220-hour work placement in a financial counselling service
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 tasks for this cluster:
- Assessment task 1: Knowledge questions
- Assessment task 2: Knowledge questions
- Assessment task 3: Case study scenarios
Work placement assessments -
- Portfolio of Evidence (Task 4)
- Placement Booklet (Task 5)
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: www.rmit.edu.au/students
Course Overview: Access Course Overview