Course Title: Identify and apply technical information to assist clients with financial issues

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2021

Course Code: BAFI5233C

Course Title: Identify and apply technical information to assist clients with financial issues

School: 375T Vocational Design and Social Context

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5360 - Diploma of Financial Counselling

Course Contact: Jo Wallwork

Course Contact Phone: =61 3 9925 3983

Course Contact Email: mary-josephine.wallwork@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 80

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 course describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and interpret specific legislation and regulations to support client service and broader work practice. The skills and knowledge developed during this course will support the immediate and ongoing needs of clients in the context of a strengths-based and client-focused financial counselling model.

This course is clustered with two (2) other courses:

  • CHCFIN001 Facilitate the financial counselling process
  • CHCFIN003 Develop and use financial counselling tools and techniques

These three courses are delivered and assessed together.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCFIN002 Identify and apply technical information to assist clients with financial issues

Element:

E1. Review client income sources

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Source and review available information about client income

1.2 Identify potential income sources and entitlements for client

1.3 Identify and inform client of potential for additional or different income sources or entitlements to improve their financial situation

Element:

E2. Ensure client is receiving appropriate information regarding living expenses

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Assist the client to review and document their approach to managing living expenses

2.2 Identify client’s options and rights for managing living expenses

2.3 Provide additional information to address gaps in client knowledge about living expenses and available support

Element:

E3. Facilitate client understanding of consumer protections and their legal rights

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Clarify client’s understanding of their rights regarding legal and consumer protection

3.2 Discuss identified legal and consumer protection issues to highlight key areas that may require action

3.3 Provide additional information to address gaps in client knowledge about their rights in relevant legal and consumer protection areas

3.4 Identify and provide appropriate opportunities for referral where required

Element:

E4. Evaluate types of debt presented by client

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Review contracts and associated documentation to clarify validity of client debt

4.2 Review areas of client debt and seek further information to clarify types of debt and the stage of the debt

4.3 Provide information to assist client to understand the implications of different types of debt that may be impacting on them

Element:

E5. Identify options in regard to debt and debt recovery

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Identify impact of debt and debt recovery processes on client and their financial situation

5.2 Review a range of options relevant to debt and debt recovery and identify potential consequences in relation to the client and their financial situation

5.3 Identify appropriate strategies for debt management to address client’s particular situation

Element:

E6. Identify appropriate referral and support services

Performance Criteria:

6.1 Proactively identify and assess type of support services needed by client based on analysis of financial information 

6.2 Provide current and accurate information about, and refer client to, services to address client needs


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. By applying these skills and this knowledge you will be able to analyse and use technical and legal information and develop the appropriate written tools and resources to assist individuals to understand their rights and make informed decisions about financial issues within the context of a strengths-based and client-focused financial counselling model.


Details of Learning Activities

In-class (campus-based and online classroom) activities:

  • teacher directed group activities/projects
  • peer teaching
  • group discussion
  • class activities to review discussions/lectures
  • role play activities

 

Out-of-class activities:

  • independent project-based work online and other research
  • independent study


Teaching Schedule

Workshop 1

 

History of Financial Counselling

The work and Role of the Financial Counsellor - Part 1:

Ethical considerations

Confidentiality

Conflict of Interest

Informed Consent

Responsibilities of Financial Counsellor

Rights of the Client

Financial Counselling Model

Skills Required by a Financial Counsellor

Service Delivery

 

Workshop 2

 

Part 1:

Responding to Initial Client Contact

Initial Response

Skills for a Financial Counselling Interview

Initial Interview

Client Files

Confidentiality

Supervision and Reporting

Workshop 3

 

Part 2:

Responding to Initial Client Contact

Initial Response

Skills for a Financial Counselling Interview

Initial Interview

Client Files

Confidentiality

Supervision and Reporting

Workshop 4

 

Part 1:

Assessing the Clients Financial Situation

Review Income Sources

Clients Living Expenses

Identify Types of Debt

Statement of Financial Position

Asset & Liability Statements

Analysing the Results

 

Workshop 5

 

Part 2:

Assessing the Clients Financial Situation

Review Income Sources

Clients Living Expenses

Identify Types of Debt

Statement of Financial Position

Asset & Liability Statements

Analysing the Results

Fines Presentation

Workshop 6

 

External Dispute Resolution

Debt Collection Legislation & Guidelines

Options

Consequence of Non Payment

Credit Reporting

 

Workshop 7

 

External Dispute Resolution

Debt Collection Legislation & Guidelines

Options

Consequence of Non Payment

Credit Reporting

 

Workshop 8

 

Identify appropriate referral and support services

Collect and develop resources to provide to clients

Resources and referrals

  • Finding and managing resources
  • Appropriate ones for client referrals

Fines Presentation

Workshop 9

 

 Developing an Action Plan & Monitor Progress

(provide ongoing support)

Client Termination

National Hardship Register

Centrelink to present to class

Micro-finance: Good Shepherd to present re NILS, STEP UP, etc

 

Workshop 10 & 11

 

Final in-class assessment – bringing all parts together & incorporating Counselling Assessment – demonstrating the full financial counselling interview (two days)

 

Please note: this outline is a guide to the sessions delivered.  Changes may need to be made to accommodate industry presenters.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

 Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through:

  • Knowledge Questions 
  • 220-hour work placement in a financial counselling service


Assessment Tasks

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

Assessment tasks for this cluster:

  • Assessment task 1: Knowledge questions
  • Assessment task 2: Knowledge questions
  • Assessment task 3: Case study scenarios

Work placement assessments -

  • Portfolio of Evidence (Task 4)
  • Placement Booklet (Task 5)


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These matrices are available with the assessment tasks on Canvas.

Other Information

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: www.rmit.edu.au/students

 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview