Course Title: Provide systems advocacy services

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2021

Course Code: LAW5735C

Course Title: Provide systems advocacy services

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: 90

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 advocate and ensure that government, community and organisational systems broadly support and uphold human rights. 


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCADV005 Provide systems advocacy services

Element:

E1.Obtain, analyse and document information

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Research information about particular issues relating to client rights and interests and document accordingly

1.2 Conduct consultations with colleagues, clients, carers and other stakeholders to identify and define issues of concern

1.3 Collate information into appropriate format for communicating with, and distributing to, relevant agencies and stakeholders

Element:

E2. Work with stakeholders to develop strategies to address identified needs

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Develop and maintain close working relationships and networks with relevant stakeholders

2.2 Organise formal meetings, working groups and other activities to develop policy statements, action plans, strategies, projects and programs to address identified needs

2.3 Document appropriate, relevant and agreed plans to address needs identified with stakeholder organisations

Element:

E3. Advocate for and facilitate the implementation of strategies developed to address the rights and interests of clients

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Prepare submissions for resources to implement identified strategies, projects and action plans

3.2 Where appropriate, contribute to relevant government policy development

3.3 Work with consumers and other stakeholders to implement relevant projects and action plans

3.4 Pursue opportunities and provide comments on policy documents, legislation, project plans and other relevant documents relating to client rights and interests

Element:

E4. Contribute to service improvements

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Gather feedback from key stakeholders on access, effectiveness of services, satisfaction, service gaps and areas for improvement

4.2 Consult with stakeholders to identify culturally appropriate systems and services, and compare to current practices

4.3 Respond appropriately to breaches of rights in service delivery in line with organisation and legal complaints processes

4.4 Provide information about identified needs, possible improvements and recommendations for change to organisation and other relevant parties

4.5 Provide progress and other reports and feedback to key people according to organisation requirements

Element:

E5. Advocate to improve coordination between services

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Develop working relationships with other services and community groups to promote and advocate improved linkages and service coordination

5.2 Identify and develop appropriate strategic alliances and partnerships

5.3 Proactively participate in decision making forums, committees, working groups and other strategic opportunities to advocate for improved service provision

5.4 Collaboratively develop strategies that incorporate priorities of each organisation and address any barriers or areas of conflict

5.5 Collaboratively work to develop, implement and evaluate a framework for change

Element:

E6. Evaluate outcomes

Performance Criteria:

6.1 Review advocacy outcome in line with organisation and stakeholder objectives

6.2 Identify lessons learned and areas requiring change

6.3 Identify opportunities for continued improvement and additional strategies


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 undertake a leadership role in influencing social and system changes. You will also be able to advocate for change and continuous improvement at the organisational level to improve client outcomes and service quality and understand clearly how systems advocacy fits into the financial counselling role.


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

Out-of-class activities:

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


Teaching Schedule

Workshop 1 (2 days)

 

Obtain, analyse and document information

  • Research information about particular issues relating to client rights and interests and document accordingly
  • Conduct consultations with colleagues, clients, carers and other stakeholders to identify and define issues of concern
  • Collate information into appropriate format for communicating with, and distributing to, relevant agencies and stakeholders

Work with stakeholders to develop strategies to address identified needs

  • Develop and maintain close working relationships and networks with relevant stakeholders
  • Organise formal meetings, working groups and other activities to develop policy statements, action plans, strategies, projects and programs to address identified needs
  • Document appropriate, relevant and agreed plans to address needs identified with stakeholder organisations

Advocate for and facilitate the implementation of strategies developed to address the rights and interests of clients

  • Prepare submissions for resources to implement identified strategies, projects and action plans
  • Where appropriate, contribute to relevant government policy development
  • Work with consumers and other stakeholders to implement relevant projects and action plans
  • Pursue opportunities and provide comments on policy documents, legislation, project plans and other relevant documents relating to client rights and interests

Workshop 2 (2 days)

 

Contribute to service improvements

  • Gather feedback from key stakeholders on access, effectiveness of services, satisfaction, service gaps and areas for improvement
  • Consult with stakeholders to identify culturally appropriate systems and services, and compare to current practices
  • Respond appropriately to breaches of rights in service delivery in line with organisation and legal complaints processes
  • Provide information about identified needs, possible improvements and recommendations for change to organisation and other relevant parties
  • Provide progress and other reports and feedback to key people according to organisation requirements

Advocate to improve coordination between services

  • Develop working relationships with other services and community groups to promote and advocate improved linkages and service coordination
  • Identify and develop appropriate strategic alliances and partnerships
  • Proactively participate in decision making forums, committees, working groups and other strategic opportunities to advocate for improved service provision
  • Collaboratively develop strategies that incorporate priorities of each organisation and address any barriers or areas of conflict
  • Collaboratively work to develop, implement and evaluate a framework for change

Evaluate outcomes

  • Review advocacy outcome in line with organisation and stakeholder objectives
  • Identify lessons learned and areas requiring change
  • Identify opportunities for continued improvement and additional strategies

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
  • Research project, including simulated activities


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.

Assessments include the following:

  • Assessment task 1: Knowledge questions
  • Assessment task 2: Project phase 1
  • Assessment task 3: Project phase 2
  • Assessment task 4: Project phase 3


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