Legal and Ethical Requirements

This module examines the role of ethics and legal obligations in community work and considers how they impact service delivery and professional conduct. Students will be encouraged to examine their own values and ethical base and to assess how to make ethical decisions in community work and case management contexts.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate an understanding of legislation and common law relevant to work role
• Follow identified policies and practices
• Work ethically
• Recognise and respond when client rights and interests are not being protected

Content Areas

• Introduction to the Legal System in Australia
• Principles Underpinning our Legal System
• Duty of Care
• Confidentiality
• Abiding by Organisational Policies, Procedures and Protocols
• Ethics
• Ethical Problem-Solving
• Maintaining an Ethical Workplace
• Protecting Client Rights
• Advocacy
• Legal Guardians
• Keeping Abreast of Relevant Legal and Ethical Frameworks

Module Duration and Workload

This module involves a total of 48 hours per term of study including a course work component, educator contact, research, related study activities, and completion of assessment tasks. This translates as 4 hours per week for the module.