Course Title: Interpret and use legal information

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2020

Course Code: HWSS6122C

Course Title: Interpret and use legal information

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: 65

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

Course Description

This course describes the skills and knowledge required to assess and respond to 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 four (4) other courses:

  • CHCFIN001 Facilitate the financial counselling process
  • CHCFIN002 Identify and apply technical information to assist clients with financial issues
  • CHCFIN003 Develop and use financial counselling tools and techniques
  • CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice

These five courses are delivered and assessed together.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCLEG002 Interpret and use legal information

Element:

E1. Identify legislative framework

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify legislation that applies to the situation based on client or broader work needs

1.2 Investigate the scope and coverage of the legislation and its relevance to the situation

1.3 Correctly interpret terms and definitions in the legislation

1.4 Seek assistance or clarification from relevant personnel or experts

Element:

E2. Interpret legislative provisions and regulations

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Research legislation and its provisions that apply to the situation

2.2 Correctly interpret the detail of provisions within scope of own role

2.3 Extract and distil information relevant to the situation

2.4 Clearly and accurately document information

Element:

E3. Use legal information

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Summarise and present relevant legal information in a way that is suited to the client or other audience

3.2 Analyse how legal provisions directly link to the situation

3.3 Identify and respond to challenges presented by the situation and associated legal information

3.4 Clearly communicate options for action and possible outcomes

3.5 Identify situations where referral to legal experts is required and take action accordingly

3.6 Take action that supports achievement of the best possible outcome

Element:

E4. Maintain knowledge of legal information

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Identify and use opportunities to maintain knowledge of current and emerging legal information

4.2 Share updated knowledge and information with peers and colleagues

4.3 Pro-actively engage in process of review and improvement


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 activities:

  • teacher directed group activities/projects
  • peer teaching
  • group discussion
  • class exercises 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 Background and development of Financial Counselling The work and Role of the Financial Counsellor 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  WIL - overview Initial Client Contact Initial Response Skills for a Financial Counselling Interview Initial Interview Client Files Confidentiality Supervision and Reporting Reflective practice
 Workshop 3 Review Income Sources Clients Living Expenses Identify Types of Debt Statement of Financial Position Asset & Liability Statements Analysing the Results
 Workshop 4 Consumer Law Credit Law
 Workshop 5 Debt Collection Legislation & Guidelines Credit Reporting External Dispute Resolution
 Workshop 6 Fines Presentation Debt Recovery Debt recovery through court Judgement proof Consequence of Non Payment Reflective practice
 Workshop 7 Bankruptcy Discussing options with the client Develop action plan in partnership with client Options for gambling issues Other relevant areas for options Other areas of law
 Workshop 8 Identify appropriate referral and support services Collect and develop resources to provide to  clients Resources and referrals Finding and managing resources
 Workshop 9 Review Action Plan & Monitor Progress (provide ongoing support) Client Termination Reflective Practice National Hardship Register Centrelink Visit Micro-finance: Good Shepherd to present re NILS, STEP UP, etc
 Workshop 10 Final Role Play Assessment – bringing all parts together & incorporating Counselling Assessment  (in-class)


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

 Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through:

 Written Questions (Assessment Tasks 1, 6 and 7)

Case studies and written questions (Assessment Tasks 2, 3 and 5

Short answer questions and Case studies (Assessment Task 4)

Personal Development Plan (Assessment Task 8)

Role play simulation and Group work activities (Assessment Task 9)

  • the 220-hour work placement


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 Task 1: Written Questions Assessment Task 2: Case studies and Written Questions Assessment Task 3: Case studies and Written Questions Assessment Task 4: Short answer questions and Case studies                                                                                               Assessment Task 5: Case studies and Written Questions Assessment Task 6:Written Questions Assessment Task 7:Written Questions Assessment Task 8: Personal Development Plan  Assessment Task 9: Role play simulation and Group work activities


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: rmit.edu.au/students

 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview