Course Title: Interpret and use legal information

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2022

Course Code: HWSS6122C

Course Title: Interpret and use legal information

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: 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

This course describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and interpret specific legislation and regulations to support client service or broader work practice.  This unit does not include the provision of legal advice.  Instead, you will be interpreting legal information when assessing and responding to the immediate and ongoing needs of clients in the context of a strengths-based and client-focused financial counselling model.

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 three (3) 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

These four 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 legal information 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

Financial Legal Cluster Semester 1 & 2 2022

Week

Topic

Week 1

Introduction to Financial Counselling/Australian Legal System

History of Financial Counselling

The work and Role of the Financial Counsellor

  • Ethical considerations
  • Confidentiality
  • Conflict of Interest
  • Informed Consent
  • Responsibilities of Financial Counsellor

Week 2

Introduction to Financial Counselling/Australian Legal System

  • Rights of the Client
  • Financial Counselling Model
  • Skills Required by a Financial Counsellor
  • Service Delivery

Operating within the Australian Legal System

Week 3

Responding to Initial Client Contact

  • Initial Response
  • Skills for a Financial Counselling Interview

Week 4

Responding to Initial Client Contact

  • Initial Interview

Week 5

Responding to Initial Client Contact

  • Initial Interview

Week 6

Responding to Initial Client Contact

  • Confidentiality
  • Client Files/Case Notes

Week 7

Assessing the Clients Financial Situation

  • Clients Living Expenses

Week 8

Assessing the Clients Financial Situation

  • Identify Types of Debt

Week 9

Assessing the Clients Financial Situation

  • Statement of Financial Position

Week 10

Assessing the Clients Financial Situation

  • Asset & Liability Statements
  • Analysing the Results

Week 11

Evaluating Debt & Identifying Options

  • Options
  • Consequence of Non Payment

Week 12

Evaluating Debt & Identifying Options

  • Credit Reporting
  • Debt Collection Legislation & Guidelines

Week 13 (1/2 day)

Evaluating Debt & Identifying Options /Co delivered with Reflect

  • External Dispute Resolution

Week 14

Consumer Protections and Legal Rights/Using Legal Information/Maintaining Legal Information Knowledge

  • Consumer Law (Consumer Action Legal Centre to present)

Week 15

Consumer Protections and Legal Rights/Using Legal Information/Maintaining Legal Information Knowledge

  • Credit Law (Consumer Action Legal Centre to present)

Week 16

Consumer Protections and Legal Rights/Using Legal Information/Maintaining Legal Information Knowledge

  • Debt Recovery through court & Judgement Proof (Consumer Action Legal Centre to present)

Week 17

Action Plans/Ongoing Support & Maintain Client Records/Termination

Developing an Action Plan & Monitor Progress (provide ongoing support)

Week 18

Action Plans/Ongoing Support & Maintain Client Records/Termination

Client Termination

Week 19 (1/2 day)

Consumer Protections and Legal Rights/Using Legal Information/Maintaining Legal Information Knowledge/Co delivered with Reflect

Bankruptcy (AFSA to present)

Week 20

Developing & Using Advocacy & Negotiation Tools/ Identifying appropriate referral and support services

  • Identify appropriate referral and support services
  • Collect and develop resources to provide to clients

Week 21

Bringing it all Together/Guest Speakers

 

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

Course Overview: Access Course Overview


Overview of Assessment

Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through:

  • Knowledge questions 
  • Case studies and written questions



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 course:

  • Assessment task 1: Knowledge questions
  • Assessment task 2: Case study scenario and written questions
  • Assessment task 3: Case study scenario and written questions
  • Assessment task 4: Case study scenario and written questions


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