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

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2017

Course Code: HWSS6073C

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

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: 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

This course describes the skills and knowledge required to work with people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless, including women and children experiencing family violence.

This course is clustered with three (3) other courses:

  • CHCMHS005 Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
  • CHCCSM004 Coordinate complex case requirements
  • CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCSOH001 Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness

Element:

E1. Address issues associated with people who are experiencing homelessness or risk of becoming homeless

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Be aware of 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, secure housing for people in specific circumstances experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless

1.3 Where appropriate, ensure opportunities are provided for the person to participate in service planning and support activities

1.4 Assess the personal safety of those experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless, including young homeless to ensure they are not in an unsafe situation and report and refer appropriately

1.5 Assess issues impacting on the person’s homelessness risk or situation and modify the approach to service delivery

1.6 Work with the person to identify and discuss potential solutions to complex issues raised, including referral to appropriate services and personnel

1.7 Provide advice and assistance on housing options

Element:

E2. Support and advocate for people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Advocate and negotiate for services in conjunction with the person and according to the person’s needs

2.2 Support the person to advocate and/or negotiate on their own behalf and to deal with discrimination

2.3 Negotiate and create access pathways to support services and the full range of social and private housing providers

2.4 Use a range of advocacy techniques that take into account differing cultural backgrounds, are age appropriate and gender sensitive

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


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 have a good understanding of the housing issues that face your clients, including how the system of housing has developed in Australia, the legal and ethical implications of homelessness, and services and outreach programs available for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. 


Details of Learning Activities

 

In-class activities

  • Industry speakers
  • teacher directed group activities
  • peer teaching 
  • group discussion 
  • class exercises to review discussions/lectures 

Out-of-class activities

  • independent project based work 
  • online and other research 
  • independent study


Teaching Schedule

 

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.

Class

Content

1

 

Cluster and unit content discussion / Assessment requirements & due dates 

 

For discussion and class work:

  • 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 & sub-groups, i.e. youth, women & children, refugee/asylum, disability, older persons - consider the complex social issues impacting on these groups

Gender experience of homelessness – Family violence

Risk and contributing factors of homelessness

 

Where do we find out information about housing services?

Guest presenter: housing worker

Research activity for housing services

Media and homelessness – how does the media contribute to this issue?  Look at positive and negative media input.

2

 

 

The financial counselling context – where this skills/knowledge fits into your role as Financial Counsellor

                   

Guest speaker; Financial Counsellor

 

Advocacy – how advocacy works within housing context

 

Issues involved in advocating and negotiating for housing support/services with client

  • process for this, importance of collaboration
  • Collaborative practices – how to support client
  • Advocacy techniques – working with culture, age, gender (review CHCADV001)

 

Advocating within community to address wider issues – how this fits into Financial Counselling agenda – look at case studies

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

RMIT will provide learning resources for this course.  Students are expected to use Blackboard to access learning resources and assessment material for this course.


Overview of Assessment

Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through:

  • Group work 
  • The application of practical skills and knowledge in a case study scenario
  • Researching service provision in the housing sector


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 Blackboard for details of each assessment task and for detailed assessment criteria. 

Assessment Task 1: Case study scenario and written questions

Due date: 25 May 2017

Assessment Task 2: Research Project

Due date: 25 May 2017

A


Assessment Matrix

 

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These matrices are available through Program Administration.

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

Cover Sheet for Submissions
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of work submitted in hardcopy. For every piece of work submitted online you will complete an e-Declaration. The signed cover sheet or e-Declaration acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.

 

Examples of other information that could be included in this section are listed below.  Please discuss with your Program Coordinator/Manager. Information needs to be consistent across the whole program.

 

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

 

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

 

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

The RMIT library provides tools to assist with your 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) – and the RMIT Student Conduct Regulations – http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=r7a7an6qug93

 

Plagiarism Software

The originality verification software Turnitin may be used in this course. For details, see: http://www.turnitin.com

 

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.

Student Complaints Policy: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/policies/studentcomplaintspolicy

Student complaints Procedure: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=i1lexipvjt22

Student Complaints Form: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/v4ujvmyojugxz.pdf

 

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