Course Title: Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2021
Course Code: HWSS6073C
Course Title: Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness
School: 375T Vocational Design and Social Context
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4363 - Certificate IV in Community Services
Course Contact: Melinda Brown
Course Contact Phone: 9925 4580
Course Contact Email: melinda.brown@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
This course describes 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.
This course applies to work in a range of roles at any level within a community services and health context.
This course is delivered as a cluster with:
CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CHCSOH001 Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness |
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 |
Element: |
2. Support and advocate for 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 |
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
- class exercises to review discussions/lectures
- practical demonstrations
- Blog/Wiki or other online discussion and participation
- analysis/critique of relevant reading material
- workshops
- design activities or projects
- group projects
- peer learning
- guest lecture/presentation
- peer teaching
- group discussion
- research
- independent project based work
- group activities/projects
- ‘workshopping’ of student projects including peer/lecturer feedback
- visits to galleries and events
- practical placement
- simulated workplaces.
Teaching Schedule
Week | Topic | Assessment due dates |
Week 1 |
Introduction to mental health in Australia
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Week 2 |
Mental health sector values and principles
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Week 3 |
Understanding mental health issues from the consumer perspective
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Week 4 |
Communicating effectively with clients
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Week 5 |
Empowering clients
|
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Week 6 |
Demonstrating recovery oriented practice
|
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Week 7 |
In class Assessment - Role Plays
|
Assessment Task 1&2 Mental Health |
Week 8 |
Assessing a client’s homelessness risk or situation
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|
Week 9 |
Providing and adapting service to meet needs
|
Assessment Task 1&2 Mental Health |
Week 10 |
Providing advice and assistance on housing options
|
Assessment Task 2 |
Week 11 |
Advocating for and with clients
|
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Week 12 |
Negotiating for services
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Week 13 |
Assessment workshop
|
Assessment Task 1, 2 & 3 Role plays Homelessness |
Week 14 |
Catch up & Unit Review
|
Assessment 4 quiz Homelessness |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
N/A
Overview of Assessment
Assessment Task 1: Role-play
Assessment Task 2: Role-play
Assessment Task 3: Role-play
Assessment Task 4: Quiz
Assessment Tasks
Assessment task 1: Role play demonstrating students skills working with 1st client who is at risk of homelessness
Assessment task 2: Role play demonstrating students skills working with 2nd client who is at risk of homelessness
Assessment task 3: Role play demonstrating students skills working with 3rd client who is at risk of homelessness
Assessment task 4: Quiz evidencing students knowledge of the homelessness service sector
Assessment Matrix
A marking rubric for each assessment t ask is located 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