Course Title: Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2023
Course Code: HWSS6073C
Course Title: Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness
Important Information:
Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.
To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.
Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.
Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus
Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.
School: 535T Social Care and Health
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4352 - Certificate IV in Youth Work
Course Contact: Dianne Mackay
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 8871
Course Contact Email: dianne.mackay@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Nominal Hours: 85
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
In this course you will be developing the skills and knowledge required to work with people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless, including women and children experiencing family violence.
You will be focusing on some of the structural issues that affect people in relation to homelessness so that in your role as a youth worker you will be able to support clients experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of becoming homeless.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CHCSOH001 Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness |
Element: |
2. Support and advocate for people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless 2.1 Advocate and negotiate for services in conjunction with the person and according to the person's needs 2.2 Support the person to advocate and/or negotiate on their own behalf and to deal with discrimination 2.3 Negotiate and create access pathways to support services and the full range of social and private housing providers 2.4 Use a range of advocacy techniques that take into account differing cultural backgrounds, are age appropriate and gender sensitive 2.5 Advocate within the community to facilitate addressing issues on behalf of people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Advocate and negotiate for services in conjunction with the person and according to the person's needs 2.2 Support the person to advocate and/or negotiate on their own behalf and to deal with discrimination 2.3 Negotiate and create access pathways to support services and the full range of social and private housing providers 2.4 Use a range of advocacy techniques that take into account differing cultural backgrounds, are age appropriate and gender sensitive 2.5 Advocate within the community to facilitate addressing issues on behalf of people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless |
Element: |
1. Address issues associated with people who are experiencing homelessness or risk of becoming homeless |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Be aware of own personal values and attitudes regarding homelessness and take these into account when planning and implementing work activities 1.2 Identify barriers in accessing safe, secure housing for people in specific circumstances experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless 1.3 Where appropriate, ensure opportunities are provided for the person to participate in service planning and support activities 1.4 Assess the personal safety of those experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless, including young homeless to ensure they are not in an unsafe situation and report and refer appropriately 1.5 Assess issues impacting on the person's homelessness risk or situation and modify the approach to service delivery 1.6 Work with the person to identify and discuss potential solutions to complex issues raised, including referral to appropriate services and personnel 1.7 Provide advice and assistance on housing options |
Learning Outcomes
Upon completing this course you will be able to demonstrate skills and knowledge in the following elements
. Address issues associated with people who are experiencing homelessness or risk of becoming homeless |
1.1 Be aware of own personal values and attitudes regarding homelessness and take these into account when planning and implementing work activities 1.2 Identify barriers in accessing safe, secure housing for people in specific circumstances experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless 1.3 Where appropriate, ensure opportunities are provided for the person to participate in service planning and support activities 1.4 Assess the personal safety of those experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless, including young homeless to ensure they are not in an unsafe situation and report and refer appropriately 1.5 Assess issues impacting on the person’s homelessness risk or situation and modify the approach to service delivery 1.6 Work with the person to identify and discuss potential solutions to complex issues raised, including referral to appropriate services and personnel 1.7 Provide advice and assistance on housing options
|
2. Support and advocate for people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless |
2.1 Advocate and negotiate for services in conjunction with the person and according to the person’s needs 2.2 Support the person to advocate and/or negotiate on their own behalf and to deal with discrimination 2.3 Negotiate and create access pathways to support services and the full range of social and private housing providers 2.4 Use a range of advocacy techniques that take into account differing cultural backgrounds, are age appropriate and gender sensitive 2.5 Advocate within the community to facilitate addressing issues on behalf of people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless |
Details of Learning Activities
This course will be a blended delivery with face to face on campus sessions and online via Canvas/Collaborate Ultra sessions
In-class (campus-based and online classroom) activities:
- teacher directed group activities/projects
- group discussion
- class activities to review discussions/lectures
- role play activities
Out-of-class activities:
- independent assessment -based work, research
- independent study
- Assessment based Group work
Teaching Schedule
Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness |
||
Week |
Topic |
Assessment Information |
Week 1 |
What does Homelessness Mean in Australia? Questions to frame the discussion: What does homelessness mean in Australia? How are people classified as homeless? Who are the homeless? Why are they homeless? How to recognise and challenge social attitudes and personal values regarding homelessness Structural causes that allow and maintain homelessness Issues impacting groups and sub-groups, i.e. youth, women and children, refugee/asylum, disability, older persons - consider the complex social issues impacting on these groups |
Intro to Knowledge Questions AT4 |
Week 2 |
Gender Experience of Homelessness Risk and contributing factors of homelessness Where do we find out information about housing services? Research activity for housing services - Assessment work |
|
Week 3 |
Assessing a client’s homelessness risk or situation Types of assessment tools and understanding homelessness risk criteria Gathering information and requesting information from other sources Identifying barriers to accessing accommodation services Reporting children at risk of homelessness |
|
Week 4 |
Assessment Role Plays |
AT1 Role Play |
Week 5 |
Advocating for and with clients Helping the client to advocate for themselves with government agencies and service providers Advocating within the community to address homelessness and tenancy issues Providing advice and assistance on housing options Working with client to help identify solutions Researching housing options Providing appropriate and relevant information |
|
Week 6 |
Assessment Role Plays |
AT2 Role Play |
Week 7 |
Frontyard Info Session and Assessment Role Plays (TBC) |
Pending confirmation |
Week 8 |
Assessment 3 Role Plays
|
AT3 Role Play
|
Week 9 |
Review and assessment completion |
AT4 Knowledge Questions |
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
The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing
Library - RMIT University
The Study Support Hub
One-on-one consultations - RMIT University
Overview of Assessment
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.
Assessment Task 1: Role Play
Assessment Task 2: Role Play
Assessment Task 3: Role Play
Assessment Task 4: Knowledge Questions
Grades that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are: You should refer to the assessment plan which is available on Canvas for details of each assessment task and for detailed assessment criteria.
CA: Competency Achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment
You will be given two (2) attempts for each assessment to demonstrate the required skills. A third (3rd) attempt can only be offered after discussions between teacher and the Program Coordinator and is not automatic. Resubmissions beyond two (2) attempts are at the discretion of the teacher and/or coordinator.
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 coordinator or the Equitable Learning Unit if you would like to find out more (https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/student-support/equitable-learning-services)
A student charter http://www.rmit.edu.au/about/studentcharter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.
Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions which are available for review online: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task 1: Role Play
Assessment Task 2: Role Play
Assessment Task 3: Role Play
Assessment Task 4: Knowledge Questions
Assessment Matrix
Available on Canvas
Other Information
Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about the support available for students in a range of matters:
Current students - RMIT University
Equitable Learning Services provide 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.
Equitable learning and disability - RMIT University
Course Overview: Access Course Overview