Course Title: Reflect on and improve own professional practice

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2015

Course Code: EMPL5721C

Course Title: Reflect on and improve own professional practice

School: 365T Global, Urban & Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5330 - Diploma of Community Services Work

Course Contact : Zaina Nehme

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4552

Course Contact Email:zainaindira.nehme@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Jo Wallwork

mary-josephine.wallwork@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 120

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

Not applicable.

Course Description

This course describes the knowledge and skills required to evaluate own work, continuing self-development and effective supervision within an ethical code of practice. The skills described in this course may be applied across a range of community services workplace contexts.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCORG428A Reflect on and improve own professional practice

Element:

1. Reflect on own practice

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Undertake self-evaluation in conjunction with supervisors and/or peers
1.2 Demonstrate understanding of own limitations in self awareness, self management, social awareness, relationship management
1.3 Provide and receive open and evaluative feedback to and from co-workers
1.4 Actively seek feedback and accept it non-defensively

Element:

2. Ensure continuing self-support and supervision

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Identify a range of support networks both within and outside the organisation
2.2 Seek specialist advice/further training where need is identified
2.3 Observe agency guidelines in relation to professional development
2.4 Undertake an appraisal of current industry developments and apply these to improve practice
2.5 Regularly participate in a review mechanism as a commitment to upgrading skills and knowledge
2.6 Evaluate current and likely future needs and take action to keep abreast of evolving trends

Element:

3. Operate within an agreed code of ethics or practice

Performance Criteria:

                           

3.1 Assess own practice against identified agency objectives or code of ethics, using a range of valid evidence
3.2 Recognise the effect of values, beliefs and behaviour in work with clients
3.3 Establish realistic goals and targets for self development
3.4 Adhere to legal parameters relevant to practitioner’s profession where this is a requirement of employment
 

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

The course learning activities will be supported and complemented by RMIT’s learning management tool "Blackboard". Other essential learning activities will take place during the workshops, and you will also be required to undertake independent studies. Some of the learning activities that you will undertake are:
• Role play
• Vignette analysis
• Class discussions
• Group work
 


Teaching Schedule

This course will be delivered over four full day session. The delivery schedule is below:

Class Topic Content
1 Reflect on own practice
  • Undertaking self-evaluation and self-reflection
  • Supervision (definition, types, functions)
  • Participating in the supervisory process
  • Identifying areas of personal development
2 Limitations and seeking support
  • Recognising Limitations (self-awareness, self-management, social awareness)
  • Seeking, providing and receiving feedback
3 Self-support
  • Support networks (informal and formal networks)
  • Seeking specialist advice and further training
  • Making use of organisation’s guidelines about professional development
4 Review Mechanisms
  • Keeping current with industry development and evolving trends
  • Participating in organisational review mechanisms
  • Performance appraissals
  • Upgrading skills and knowledge
5 Ethics, procedures, values and beliefs
  • Understanding Code of Ethics
  • Importance of organisation objectives, policies, procedures and plans
  • Impact of values, beliefs and behaviour on practice
  • Working with diversity
6 Professional Legal Parameters (1)
  • Creating a work plan
  • Sector-specific legislation
  • Legislative requirements
  • Working to increase social justice
  • Revisiting Duty of Care
  • Revisiting Ethical Dilemmas
7 Professional Legal Parameters (2)
  • Working to increase social justice
  • Revisiting Duty of Care
  • Revisiting Ethical Dilemmas


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

No prescribed textbook required.


References


Other Resources

You will be provided with the resources and tools for learning in this course. These resources will also be available through Blackboard. You will also have access to the resources in the library.

GUSS Skills Central (http://Gussskillscentral.edu.au/) is a site developed specifically for students in the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies at RMIT. It provides links to a range of resources for supporting student work on assessments and negotiating university studies more generally.


Overview of Assessment

This course is partly assessed while on placement and throughout face to face delivery. Assessment will consist of a third party report completed by your supervisor whilst on placement, collection of evidence from the workplace (placement), research activity, written response and a reflective journal.


Assessment Tasks

For this course you are required to complete the following tasks:

Assessment Task 1 – Research Project: for this task you will be required to conduct a research on the professional and training development opportunities available to practitioners in the community services sector.

Assessment Task 2 – Evidence Portfolio: for this task you will be required to collect a number of evidence from the host organisation in relation to training and professional development.

Assessment Task 3 – Written Response: for this task you will be required to answer a number of questions in relation to the ACWA (Australia Community Workers Association) Code of Ethics.

Assessment Task 4 – Reflective Journal: you will complete a reflective journal on the importance on your values, beliefs and behaviours while working with clients.

Assessment Task 5 – Third Party Report: upon completion of your placement, your supervisor will complete a report commenting on your ability to reflect on your own practice.


Assessment Matrix

This course is delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment, grades include:

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

Other Information

Police Checks
For this course, students may be required to obtain their own police check by the deadline and pay the associated costs. Students who do not obtain a required police clearance by the deadline 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
For this course, students may be required to obtain a Working with Children card by the deadline and pay the associated costs. Students who do not obtain clearance to work with children by the deadline 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.

Assessment Tasks Submission Cover Sheet
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 the plagiarism implications.

Attendance
It is strongly advised that you attend all workshops in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.

Feedback
You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your competency. Information regarding student feedback can be found at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=9pp3ic9obks7

Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. The student progress policy can be found at:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=vj2g89cve4uj1

Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. Information regarding application for special consideration can be found at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. For more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity Web site: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kw02ylsd8z3n

Course Overview: Access Course Overview