Course Title: Establish self-directed recovery relationships
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2025
Course Code: OHTH5989C
Course Title: Establish self-directed recovery relationships
Important Information:
Please note that this course has compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching and assessment activities.
School: 535T Social Care and Health
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4423 - Certificate IV in Mental Health
Course Contact: Fiona McLean
Course Contact Phone: 9925 4449
Course Contact Email: fiona.mclean2@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Nominal Hours: 60
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 promote the principles of recovery oriented practice, and to establish and confirm self-directed recovery relationships with people with mental illness. This unit applies to work with people living with a mental illness in a range of community services work contexts. This unit is delivered and assessed in a cluster with:
- CHCMHS003 Provide recovery oriented mental health services
- CHCMHS004 Work collaboratively with the care network and other services
The course also incorporates 80 hours of work-placement activities.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CHCMHS002 Establish self-directed recovery relationships |
Element: |
1. Promote principles of recovery and recovery oriented practice |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Acknowledge and respect the person as the author, definer and director of their own recovery and recovery journey 1.2 Work in ways that inspire hope for the future, belief in recovery by investing in the person and the relationship and increasing support for the person in their community of choice 1.3 Identify and take into account personal values and attitudes regarding recovery, mental health and illness when planning and implementing all work activities 1.4 Demonstrate consideration and respect for the important contribution of the person’s other relationships, life events, culture and activities to the recovery process |
Element: |
2. Establish the context for a self-directed recovery relationship |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Establish and maintain a safe, positive working relationship and environment 2.2 Identify and address the power dynamics impacting on the relationship 2.3 Build a working relationship based on shared understandings using effective communication strategies 2.4 Interact with the person showing warmth, openness, care and authenticity 2.5 Discuss, clarify and use in all communications the person’s preferred language, understandings, analogies and concepts about their experience 2.6 Adjust communication strategies to meet cultural preferences 2.7 Clarify role expectations and define appropriate relationship guidelines |
Element: |
3. Invite information sharing |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Invite the person to tell their story 3.2 Respond appropriately to clarify aspects of the story and the persons’ understanding of their experience 3.3 Respond to the person in a manner that reflects appreciation of their situation and fosters respect, rights, promotion of dignity, hope and belief in their recovery 3.4 Recognise impacts of mental illness and a mental health diagnosis on the person's life and sense of self 3.5 Establish eligibility and priority for service and refer appropriately if required 3.6 Work within the context of the person’s experiences, understandings and meanings to build a shared understanding of their needs |
Element: |
4. Define and confirm the collaborative relationship |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Share information about the organisation and programs, services and support available 4.2 Facilitate an exchange of definitions and understandings of recovery and recovery oriented practice and develop a shared understanding 4.3 Share and exchange other information required to establish a recovery oriented collaboration 4.4 Work with the person to determine their readiness and desire to self-advocate and participate in the service 4.5 Work collaboratively with the person to agree on the type and nature of services or support to be offered and decide the way the relationship will operate 4.6 Establish agreement with the person on roles and responsibilities for both the person and the worker, and document in accordance with organisation procedures 4.7 Clarify and document any other accountability requirements including program, funding or legislative requirements |
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
Week |
Topic |
Assessment due dates |
|
Week 1 |
Introduction to Recovery Oriented Practice Unit overview
Recovery Oriented Practice
Placement Preparations |
|
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Week 2 |
Supporting the Self-Recovery Relationship Self-directed Recovery
Using Recovery Plans
Placement Preparations |
|
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Week 3 |
Communication for Relationship Building Communication approaches to support Recovery
Connecting in to communities of choice
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Week 4 |
Care Networks Care Networks
Formal care / support networks
Natural care / support networks
Care Coordination
|
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Week 5 |
Managing Conflict / Professional Development Conflict resolution
Networking and Professional Development
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Week 6 |
Revision Day Assessment Task 1 Review and Complete Assessment Task 2 Client 1 Role Plays Preparation |
Assessment Task 1 Due Sunday 9 November 2025 |
|
Week 7 |
Assessment Task 2 Client 2 Role Plays | |
|
Week 8 |
Assessment Task 2 Client 2 Role Plays |
Assessment Task 2 Due Sunday 23 November 2025 |
Week 9 |
10 week Placement Block - Semester 1, 2026 |
Dates to be confirmed with Semester 1, 2026 planning |
Week 10 |
Placement Block |
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Week 11 |
Placement Block |
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Week 12 |
Placement Block |
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Week 13 |
Placement Block |
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Week 14 |
Placement Block |
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Week 15 |
Placement Block |
|
Week 16 |
Placement Block |
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Week 17 |
Placement Block |
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Week 18 |
Placement Block |
Assessment Task 3 Due Sunday 19 April 2026 (Date to be confirmed) |
|
Week 19 |
Placement Review and Reflection |
Final Class |
Teaching Schedule
This unit is delivered over nine weeks, including two weeks of in-class assessments, plus 10 weeks of placement.
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:
The learning Lab
www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab
The Study Support Hub
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub
English for uni workshops
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/workshops/english-uni-workshops
Overview of Assessment
This unit is part of an integrated program. You must demonstrate critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit.
Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks. You may be assessed by:
• Oral or written questioning
• Oral presentations
• Assignments and projects
• Direct observation of work practice
Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions, through individual and group feedback on practical exercises and by individual consultation.
Regular attendance is necessary.
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 Co-ordinator or the Equitable Learning Services team if you would like to find out more.
Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on Canvas.
Assessment Tasks
| Assessment Task 1 | Knowledge Questions | See canvas for due dates |
| Assessment Task 2 | Role plays | See canvas for due dates |
| Assessment Task 3 | Placement self-reflection and supervisor report | See canvas for due dates |
Assessment Matrix
See canvas for assessment matrix and rubric.
Other Information
Students must attend and participate in a minimum of 80% of content delivery classes, and submit and be assessed as competent in three assessments. This unit also includes 80 hours of placement.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview