Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2025

Course Code: HWSS6070C

Course Title: Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence

School: 535T Social Care and Health

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5432 - Diploma of Community Services

Course Contact: Bella Kelly

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4109

Course Contact Email: Bella.Kelly@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 50

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 unit describes the knowledge and skills required to identify and respond to the needs of clients who may be experiencing domestic and family violence, including responding to immediate intervention and support needs.

This unit applies to health and community service workers providing services according to established organisation procedures. These workers may not be specialised family violence workers.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCDFV001 Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence

Element:

1. Adopt work practices that support interactions with those affected by domestic and family violence

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Adopt work practices that reflect the values and philosophiesof domestic violence work

1.2 Plan work practices and access environments that support client and worker safety

1.3 Identify and participate in support processes for workers exposed to domestic and family violence

1.4 Apply organisation standards and procedures and comply with legislative and statutory requirements

Element:

2. Identify client needs

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Explain rights and responsibilities of client andworker and promote throughout client contact

2.2 Use interpersonal skills that develop rapport and promote confidence, and full, accurate and relevant exchange of information

2.3 Show sensitivity to client’sspecific needs and any cultural, family and individual differences

2.4 Assess information for complexity, urgency and eligibility so that priorities for service delivery and safety can be identified

2.5 Identify and respond to any indications ofriskor threats to safety

Element:

3. Respond to client needs

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Identify worker and workplace limitations in addressing and assessing client needs and make referrals or seek assistance from appropriate persons

3.2 Prioritise the physical and emotional safety of clients,their family and workers in developing responses

3.3 Negotiate and agree strategies for intervention with the client before commencing work

3.4 Provide client with information about available services for meeting their needs

3.5 Complete accurate and comprehensive records, reports and referral information according to organisation requirements

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

Learning activities will include:

Practical demonstrations
Groupwork/group discussions
Analysis/critique of relevant reading material
Peer learning
Guest lecture/presentation
Research activities
Simulated workplace activities


Teaching Schedule

 

Course Schedule: Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence                                         

Semester 1 : 2025

Week

Topic

 

Week 1

 

Introduction to the area of family and domestic violence

  • Values and philosophies of domestic violence work
  • Background information and the effects of domestic and family violence
  • Current key issues affecting the area
  

Week 2

 

Supporting interactions

  • Applying practices that support client and worker safety
  • Self-care and accessing support processes for workers exposed to domestic and family violence
  • Meeting organisational and complying with legislative and statutory requirements

 

Week 3

 

Identifying client needs

  • Developing rapport and explaining rights and responsibilities, demonstrating sensitivity
  • Assessing and prioritising needs based on their complexity, urgency and eligibility
  • Dealing with immediate risks to safety and developing safety plans (MARAM)

Assessment Preparation:

Assessment 2,3 & 4

Assessment 1 Knowledge Questions Due

Week 4

 

Developing intervention strategies

  • Working with clients to prioritise physical and emotional safety
  • Negotiating interventions provided by you, another colleague or service
  • Making referrals, providing clients with services' information and completing and checking case notes

Assessment Preparation: Assessment 2,3 & 4

 

Week 5

Assessment 2/Role Play 1 - Live Observation

Assessment 2 Roleplay in class 

Assessment 2: Written Task Due

Week 6

Assessment 3/Role Play 2 - Live Observation

 

 

Assessment 3  Roleplays in class

Assessment 3  Written Task Due

 

 

Week 7

Assessment 4/Role Play 3 - Live Observation

Assessment  4 Roleplays in class

Assessment  4: Written Task Due

Assessment 5 Knowledge Questions Due

Week 8

Assessment Roleplays and Student Support 

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

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


Overview of Assessment

There are five individual assessment tasks consisting of role plays, and short answer questions. 


Assessment Tasks

You will be given two (2) attempts for each assessment to demonstrate the required knowledge and skills. A third (3rd) attempt can only be offered after discussions between teacher and the Program Coordinator and is not automatic. Resubmissions beyond two (2) attempts are at the discretion of the teacher and/or coordinator.

 

Assessment Task 1:

The objective of this task, is to help consolidate what you have learned during the course and to determine knowledge and skills in relation to recognising and responding appropriately to domestic and family violence in a community services context.

Assessment Task 2:

The objective of this assessment task, is for you to demonstrate knowledge and skills to effectively recognise, respond and refer a client experiencing domestic/family violence by performing a role play/interview based on a case study.

Assessment Task 3:

The objective of this assessment task, is for you to demonstrate knowledge and skills to effectively recognise, respond and refer a client experiencing domestic/family violence by performing a role play/interview based on a case study.

Assessment Task 4:

The objective of this assessment task is for you to demonstrate knowledge and skills to effectively recognise, respond and refer a client experiencing domestic/family violence by performing a role play/interview based on a case study.

Assessment Task 5: The objective of this task, is to help consolidate what you have learned during the course and to determine knowledge and skills in relation to recognising and responding appropriately to domestic and family violence in a community services context


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix is located in Canvas, at the end of each assessment task.

Other Information

You are required to attend a minimum of 80% of all classes to successfully complete each unit and all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.

 

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