Course Title: Work legally and ethically

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2016

Course Code: HWSS6095C

Course Title: Work legally and ethically

School: 365T Global, Urban and Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4352 - Certificate IV in Youth Work

Course Contact: Dianne Mackay

Course Contact Phone: +61 (3) 9925 4454

Course Contact Email: dianne.mackay@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Marijo Pozega

marijo.ppozega@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 55

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 unit students will develop skills and knowledge required to identify and work within the legal and ethical frameworks that apply to an individual job role.

 

This unit is delivered with HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health safety

 


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically

Element:

1. Identify and respond to legal requirements

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify, access and interpret sources of information about the legal requirements that apply to the work role

1.2 Identify the scope and nature of own legal rights and responsibilities

1.3 Adhere to legal requirements in work practice according to workplace policies and procedures and scope of role

1.4 Recognise potential or actual breaches and report according to organisation procedures

Element:

2. Identify and meet ethical responsibilities

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Identify, access and interpret sources of information about the ethical responsibilities that apply to the work role

2.2 Identify the scope and nature of own ethical responsibilities

2.3 Meet ethical responsibilities according to workplace policies and protocols, and scope of role

2.4 Recognise potential ethical issues and dilemmas, and discuss with an appropriate person

2.5 Recognise own personal values and attitudes and take into account to ensure non-judgemental practice

2.6 Use effective problem solving techniques when exposed to competing value systems

2.7 Recognise unethical conduct and report to an appropriate person

2.8 Recognise potential and actual conflicts of interest and take appropriate action

Element:

3. Contribute to workplace improvements

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Identify situations where work practices could be improved to meet legal and ethical responsibilities

3.2 Pro-actively share feedback with colleagues and supervisors

3.3 Identify and take opportunities to contribute to the review and development of policies and protocols


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements.


Details of Learning Activities

This course’s learning activities will be supported and complimented by RMIT’s on line learning management tool Blackboard.  Other essential learning activities take place during the workshops, and you will also be required to undertake independent studies.  Some learning activities that you may be required to undertake are:

  • class exercises to review discussions/lectures
  • responses to case studies
  • workplace simulations and role plays of youth work practice
  • analysis/critique of relevant reading material
  • workshops
  • design activities or projects
  • group projects
  • peer learning
  • guest lecture/presentation
  • peer teaching and class presentations
  • group discussion
  • research
  • independent project based work
  • group activities/projects
  • ‘workshopping’ of student projects including peer/lecturer feedback
  • practical placement


Teaching Schedule

Note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.

 Class

Topic

Content

Elements of Competency

Resources

 

Legislation and Codes of ethics


- Defining legal and ethical in context of youth work

- Legislation in the context of youth work

- Ethics in the context of youth work


1.1, 1.2, 1.3. 2.1


Powerpoint,

YACVIC code of ethics


Identify legal and ethical responsibilities


- Meeting workplace legal and ethical requirements

- Exploring own values and judgements and the impact on practice

- Supporting young people with legal issues


1.4, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5


Powerpoint, case study, YACVIC code of ethics


Identifying legal and ethical dilemmas


- Identify legal and ethical breaches

- Identify and reflect on legal and ethical dilemmas in context of youth work


2.4, 2.6


YACVIC code of ethics, case study

 

 


Acting on legal and ethical dilemmas and breaches


 - Taking appropriate action

- Reporting breaches to relevant parties

- Seeking feedback, consultation and supervision

- Developing policies and procedures


2.7, 2.8, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3


YACVIC code of ethics, case study


Assessment and review


- Group presentations

- Review of unit

 

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

None


References

You are advised to look at the course at myRMIT for ongoing updated information.


Other Resources

 

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access to the library resources.


Overview of Assessment

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. 

Assessment 1 

This assessment requires you to consider what it means to work within a legal and ethical framework as a youth worker.

Case study scenario with written answers to questions on working with a client as a youth worker within the legal and ethical framework for youth work practice.   Word limit 50 – 100 words per question.

Assessment 2

This assessment requires you to consider what it means to work within the Workplace Health and Safety Regulations as youth worker with clients.

Case study scenario with written answers to questions on responding to a client “episode” as a youth worker to demonstrate your knowledge of Workplace Health and Safety concerns in youth work practice.  Respond to the case study scenario with a Risk Assessment template found online and in Blackboard.  

You should refer to the assessment plan which is available on Blackboard for details of each assessment task and for detailed assessment criteria.

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

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 Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.

 

A student charter http://www.rmit.edu.au/about/studentcharter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.

 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions which are available for review online:http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=c15i3ciaq8ca

 


Assessment Tasks

Assessment one: Written response to questions - short answer written responses to questions on legislation around duty of care and mandatory reporting and duty of care.  Reflective questions included on being a good youth worker.

Assessment two: Group presentation and report - present on legal and ethical frameworks and ethics.  Reflect on values with written responses to questions. 

Assessment three: WIL workplace supervisor third party report - students met duty of care and confidentiality requirements for dealing with young people.  Students used workplace documentation to record their actions as required.  Students understood the organisations policy and procedures for maintaining the safety of young people attending programs.  Students understood organisations policy and procedures for dealing with young people at risk.  


Assessment Matrix

Students will be given an assessment marking guide for reference at the time that the assessment tasks are distributed.

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 submitted work, including online submissions. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of implications of plagiarism.

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 an Extension

Extension of time for assessment tasks may be granted where circumstances beyond your control prevent submission by the published due date. Speak with your teacher or course coordinator regarding applying for an extension.

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

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


WIL REQUIREMENT

Police Checks

Students must obtain their own police check by the due date and pay the associated costs. Students who do not obtain a required police clearance by the due date shall not be able to undertake a practical placement or work experience activity that requires a Police Check.

The University shall not be obligated to organise a placement for a student who does not wish to obtain a Police Check.

Where required by the workplace, students shall provide a copy of their police check on request.

If a student is rejected by a workplace on the basis of a Police Check, the following actions shall occur, as appropriate.

-               advise the student of the outcome; and

-               discuss placement options with the student; and/or

-               provide program and career counselling.

RMIT will not store Police Checks on student files.

Working with Children Check

Students must obtain a Working with Children card by the due date and pay the associated costs. Students who do not obtain clearance to work with children by the due date shall not be able to undertake a practical placement or work experience activity that requires a Working with Children card.

The University shall not be obligated to organise a placement for a student who does not wish to complete the prescribed form for a Working with Children card at the appropriate time.

Where required by the workplace, students shall provide evidence of their Working with Children Check on request.

If a student is rejected by a workplace on the basis of a Working with Children, the following actions shall occur, as appropriate:

-               advise the student of the outcome; and

-               discuss placement options with the student; and/or

-               provide program and career counselling.

Early Termination of Placement

Under section 6 of the WIL Procedure, a placement may be ended early by the host organisation or School due to the student’s conduct and/or performance during the placement.

Possible reasons for such decisions may include, but are not limited to-

  • failure to follow processes required for safety
  • breach of client or patient confidentiality
  • failure to comply with the instructions of supervisors
  • or other unprofessional behaviour

Where a placement ends early, a meeting will be convened to discuss the sequence of events that led to the termination. This meeting will precede any consideration of a student’s progress by the Progress Panel (if applicable) or Program Assessment Board.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview