Course Title: Work with forced migrants
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2017
Course Code: HUSO5215C
Course Title: Work with forced migrants
School: 365T Global, Urban and Social Studies
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4363 - Certificate IV in Community Services
Course Contact: Bronwyn Tanti
Course Contact Phone: 9925 9079
Course Contact Email: bronwyn.tanti@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 skills and knowledge required to work with, and for, refugees within an ethical, social, political and economic context.
This unit applies to work within an agency, directly or indirectly, involved with the provision of services to forced migrants, people with Refugee or special humanitarian visas, those granted refugee status in Australia, business and skilled migrants whose prime motivation for leaving their country was to escape violence and/or persecution, and the immediate family members of anyone from the aforementioned groups.
Workers will have limited responsibilities and work within established guidelines to develop, monitor and provide support and services in a range of areas, including but not limited to, settlement, accommodation, counselling, financial advice, family services, youth work, income support, education, health care and crisis intervention.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CHCSET001 Work with forced migrants |
Element: |
1. Develop a professional rapport with people who are forced migrants |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Consider cultural sensitivities in communication techniques and adapt style and language to accommodate different cultural values and practices 1.2 Identify how one’s own ethnicity, religion, class and gender will affect interactions with clients and modify approach appropriately 1.3 Identify the communication needs of clients who are newly arrived, traumatised and confused and modify approach appropriately 1.4 Identify where an interpreter is needed and work to ensure that appropriate interpreter services are accessed |
Element: |
2. Plan settlement services |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Identify current issues which may impact on own work or organisation 2.2 Collect, discuss and use the views of key stakeholders and representatives from relevant target groups when determining service requirements 2.3 Develop and maintain links with workers with complementary roles in the provision of settlement services 2.4 Evaluate issues in relation to a person’s culture, family background and interest and modify plan appropriately 2.5 Identifying specific needs of individuals and determine learning program requirements 2.6 Document and agree plan with client and other relevant service providers or stakeholders |
Element: |
3. Address issues associated with people who are forced migrants |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Provide support to clients using a collaborative approach 3.2 Discuss and provide information regarding the range of services available in Australia and the importance of using these services 3.3 Take into account the culture, religion, gender and experiences of the person in all actions and decisions 3.4 Recognise trauma and refer to appropriate personnel or services 3.5 Support clients to deal with loss and grief 3.6 Support clients to deal with discrimination from both the mainstream community and from other ethnic groups 3.7 Support client to make appropriate links both within their own community and within the broader Australian community 3.8 Refer clients to other service providers as required |
Element: |
4. Monitor and review support |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Obtain ongoing feedback from clients in relation to service and support 4.2 Evaluate progress in relation to service provision plan 4.3 Monitor stress and emotions of self and colleagues and implement strategies to maintain wellbeing 4.4 Identify opportunities for improved service provision and modify approach |
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
Classes where information is shared through talks and group discussions, and exercises are conducted to apply learning. Time in class is spent working on applied assessment tasks.
Teaching Schedule
Week 1: Working with forced migrants in Australia
• The international protection regime and Australian policies
• Background, historical, Political, economic and social context
• Settlement in Australia
Week 2: Understanding the refugee experience
• Recognising effects of grief, loss, stress, torture and trauma and the impact of migration
• The importance of identity
• Perspectives on gender, class, culture and religion
Week 3: Planning settlement services
• Building rapport and addressing communication needs of clients
• Identifying specific needs of individuals and determine learning program requirements
• Developing relationships with stakeholders and representatives
Week 4: Organising services
• Working with clients to select appropriate and relevant services
• Recognising current experiences of trauma and referring clients to appropriate personnel or services
• Facilitating access to services
Week 5: Providing support
• Supporting clients to deal with loss and grief
• Supporting clients to deal with discrimination
• Supporting clients to make appropriate community links
Week 6: Monitoring and reviewing support
• Collecting ongoing feedback from clients
• Evaluating progress against service provision plan
• Monitoring and dealing with stress and emotions of self and colleagues
• Identifying opportunities for improved service provision and modifying approach
Week 7: Assessment workshop, review and reflection
• Finalising assessments
• Course review
• Reflection on learning
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Learning Resources The University Library provides extensive services, facilities and study space as well as comprehensive collections of books, periodicals and other course related materials, such as DVD’s, magazines, slides, films etc. Computer laboratories with access to a wide range of desktop publishing software are also available. The library also has an expanding virtual collection of electronic resources and networks, including product data, e-books, electronic journals and newspapers, web based tutorials, online reference and document delivery services etc., all of which are accessible on campus, and off campus 24 hours per day. More information on library resources and services can be found at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/library
If you need additional support, visit RMIT’s Learning Lab, either in person or online: http://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu/
Equitable Learning Services (ELS) provides support and equal opportunities for students with a disability, long-term illness and/or mental health condition and primary carers of individuals with a disability.The link is : https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/student-support/equitable-learning-services
Overview of Assessment
This unit has three assessments tasks consisting of 1 group, 1 individual and 1 quiz.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment task 1: Develop settlement plans for three groups of forced migrants.
Assessment task 2: Review the support provided to clients.
Assessment task 3: Complete an online quiz in Blackboard to test your knowledge of and apply to short scenarios the key issues and concepts related to working with forced migrants.
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These matrix’s are available through program administration.
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
Course Overview: Access Course Overview