Course Title: Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: VE 2020

Class Number: 2491

Class Section: DARD

For flexible terms and optional semesters, a Part B course guide may have been published for the entire teaching period, or for the specific class number in which you are enrolled. If there is no Part B course guide published for your specific class number, please refer to the guide for the teaching period in which you are enrolled. Enrolment Online is the definitive source for details regarding your class enrolment.

Course Code: HUSO5216C

Course Title: Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety

School: 375T Vocational Design and Social Context

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5397 - Diploma of Community Services

Course Contact: Fiona McLean

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 3673

Course Contact Email: fiona.mclean@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 25

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

In this course you will explore the skills and knowledge promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural safety, while promoting trauma informed care and learning to develop strategies to address people’s specific trauma needs.

This course addresses the following units of competency;

  • CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
  • CHCDEV002 Analyse the impacts of sociological factors on client in community work and services 
  • HLTAHW050 Develop a healing framework for social and emotional well-being work
  • CHCMHS007 Work effectively in trauma informed care

This units are clustered for delivery but assessed separately.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety

Element:

1. Identify cultural safety issues in the workplace

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify the potential impact of cultural factors on service delivery to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients

1.2 Identify critical issues that influence relationships and communication with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

1.3 Establish key aspects of cultural safety in consultation with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

1.4 Evaluate the extent to which cultural safety is integrated in own work and workplace

Element:

2. Model cultural safety in own work

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Agree outcomes against which cultural safety strategies can be measured

4.2 Involve Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in evaluations

4.3 Evaluate programs and services against desired outcomes

4.4 Revise strategies based on evaluation with appropriate engagement of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

Element:

3. Develop strategies for improved cultural safety

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Support the development of effective partnerships between staff, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and their communities

3.2 Identify and utilise resources to promote partnerships

3.3 Devise and document ways to support the delivery of services and programs that are culturally safe and encourage increased participation

3.4 Integrate strategies that encourage self-determination and community control in services and programs

Element:

4. Evaluate cultural safety strategies

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Ensure work practices are grounded in awareness of one’s own cultural bias

2.2 Reflect awareness of own and other cultures in work practices

2.3 Use communication techniques and work practices that show respect for the cultural differences of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

2.4 Engage with Aboriginal and/or Torres Str

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of these 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 promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural safety, while promoting trauma informed care and learning to develop strategies to address people’s specific trauma needs.


Details of Learning Activities

  • Class exercises to review discussions/lectures
  • Group projects
  • Workshopping of projects including peer/lecturer feedback
  • Group discussion
  • Practical placement
  • Simulated workplace activities


Teaching Schedule

Course Schedule

 Cluster: Healing and social impacts

Week 1

Introduction to trauma and society

  • Identifying social/cultural institutions and how they work in Australia
  • Analyse impact of social and cultural factors on individual clients, groups and communities
  • How social and cultural factors impact on services provided
  • Identifying various types of trauma and the impact on clients
  • Safety issues for workers

Week 2

Working with the client in trauma informed ways

  • Collaborative approach
  • First safety
  • Strengths-based way and working with clients
  • Documentation and recording
  • Trauma and development and the impact on mental health issues
  • Individual support plans and recognising trauma on their development

Week 3

Services and other supports

  • Procedures for evaluation and specialist support
  • Working with clients to identify improvements in trauma informed care and service practices
  • Provide feedback about own service agency’s approach to trauma
  • Continuing communication with client

Week 4

Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety

  • Culture, history, social, political impacts.
  • System and structural impacts on service system access
  • Racism and discrimination
  • Storytelling

 

Week 5

Working in a culturally appropriate manner

  • Working in a culturally appropriate manner with the Aboriginal community and organisations
  • Identify cultural safety issues in the workplace
  • Reflect awareness of own and other cultures in work practices
  • Support the development of effective partnerships
  • Identify and utilise resources to promote partnerships

 

Week 6

Observe local cultural traditions and practice

  • Acknowledge traditional ownership of the land and seek permission to allow the healing process to take place on the land
  • Recognise the presence of traditional land owners in the healing process, including their role in the spiritual aspects of the healing process
  • Clarify local kinship structures, roles and obligations through discussion with Elders
  • Acknowledge the importance of the support processes of extended families in preparation for healing and in undergoing a healing process

 

Week 7

Conduct and support a facilitated group healing process

  • Discuss cultural grieving processes
  • Develop and agree to rules for participation in a healing group as part of a group, ensuring safety, confidentiality and cultural security during and after the process
  • Use verbal and non-verbal communication skills to support the healing process
  • Support self-expression and healing through art, dancing, storytelling, singing and/or painting
  • Disclose self-selected past emotional influences with the group involved in the healing process and relate to the present situation and potential future
  • Use appropriate techniques to examine trans-generational trauma with the group

 

Week 8

Reflect on healing process

Document outcomes according to organisation procedures

Discuss with appropriate staff, colleagues, peers or mentors own reaction to the process

Engage in ongoing reflective practice

Where all course content is this schedule will be covered, the weekly order may change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:

Ngarara Willim Centre
https://www.rmit.edu.au/about/governance-management/structure/policy-strategy-impact/ngarara-willim-centre

The Learning Lab
 https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab

The Study Support Hub
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is ongoing throughout the course and will include practical demonstrations, group activities, reflection and supervised placement hour within the community services industry. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on Canvas.

Grades that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessments are:

CA: Competency Achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more (https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/student-support/equitable-learning-services)


Assessment Tasks

(Rectification Assessment TBA)

CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety

  • Assessment Task 1: Tree of life
  • Assessment Task 2: Yarning circle and Cultural safety plan
  • Assessment Task 3: Cultural safety strategy        
  • Assessment Task 4: Knowledge questions


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

Attendance:

Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises

It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.

Information about your studies:

You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.

 https://www.rmit.edu.au/students

Assessment:

Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:

RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity

Course Overview: Access Course Overview