Course Title: Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2022
Course Code: HWSS6073C
Course Title: Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness
Important Information:
Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.
To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.
Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.
Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus
Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.
School: 535T Social Care and Health
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 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. You will develop an 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 be able identify services and outreach programs available for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CHCSOH001 Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness |
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Element: |
E1. Address issues associated with people who are experiencing homelessness or risk of becoming homeless |
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Performance Criteria: |
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Element: |
E2. Support and advocate for people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless |
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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.
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
Week |
Details of session |
Assessment work |
Week 1 |
Introduction to unit Primary, secondary and tertiary definitions of homelessness Structural causes which allow and maintain homelessness The context within which the system of housing has developed in Australia Different levels of government and their role in provision of housing Changing social, political and economic context in which homelessness occurs Current and historical factors which impact on provision of housing Risk and contributing factors of homelessness Own personal values and attitudes regarding homelessness and work role Identifying barriers in accessing safe, secure housing for people in specific circumstances experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless The range of consumers, consumer groups and stakeholders in relation to the Australian housing system, their demographics, needs, complexity of issues The range of issues impacting on people who are experiencing homelessness or risk of becoming homeless Own work role within the context of delivering services to homeless people Organisation’s role within the context of the sector |
AT4 Knowledge questions |
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Week 2
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Working with clients Look at the underpinning values and philosophies relevant to working with people who are experiencing homelessness or risk of becoming homeless Principles and practice of: · community delivered service provision · holistic and client-centred service · client empowerment and disempowerment Cultural issues which impact on housing system for minority groups including newly arrived refugees and for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people The gender context of homelessness · legal and ethical considerations (national, state/territory) relevant to social housing and how these are applied in organisations and in individual practice: · human rights · child protection · mandatory reporting · duty of care requirements and the law of negligence in delivering services to those experiencing homelessness or risk of becoming homeless · access and equity · privacy, confidentiality Indicators of family violence, mental health issues, substance abuse and child protection issues The complexity surrounding family violence and legal requirements when dealing with people who are experiencing family violence Ensure opportunities are provided for the person to participate in service planning and support activities 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 Assess issues impacting on the person’s homelessness risk or situation and modify the approach to service delivery Work with the person to identify and discuss potential solutions to complex issues raised, including referral to appropriate services and personnel (referrals in week 3) |
AT4 Knowledge questions |
Week 3 |
Referrals Provide advice and assistance on housing options Negotiate and create access pathways to support services and the full range of social and private housing providers Different levels of government and their role in provision of housing The private rental system Housing options, range of tenures and the pathways of the homelessness service system, including crisis, transitional, community housing, public housing, housing associations, cooperatives Access pathways for transient, marginalised individuals What is a case management framework? Specific issues facing individuals and existing services and outreach programs available to address their needs and rights |
AT4 Knowledge questions |
Week 4 |
Advocacy Advocate and negotiate for services in conjunction with the person and according to the person’s needs Support the person to advocate and/or negotiate on their own behalf and to deal with discrimination Use a range of advocacy techniques that take into account differing cultural backgrounds, are age appropriate and gender sensitive Advocate within the community to facilitate addressing issues on behalf of people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless The legal system: · courts · police powers · court reports · relevant state/territory residential tenancy tribunals Assessment preparation AT1 AT2 AT3 |
AT4 Knowledge questions |
Week 5 |
Assessment activity AT1 in class |
AT4 Knowledge questions AT1 Role Play |
Week 6 |
Assessment activity AT2 & AT3 in class
AT4 Knowledge task due 5 June (submission via Canvas) |
AT4 Knowledge questions due 5 June AT3 Role Play/AT2 Role Play |
Week 7 |
Review and assessment catch-up |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through:
- Demonstrations of skills and knowledge responding to a work place scenario
- Knowledge questions.
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: Role Play Assessment Task 2: Role Play Assessment Task 3: Role Play Assessment Task 4: Knowledge task Grades that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are: CA: Competency Achieved NYC: Not Yet Competent DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment
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
Course Overview: Access Course Overview