Unit rationale, description and aim
This microcredential examines the role of welfare systems in safeguarding children, with a focus on those affected by family violence and mental health challenges. It provides an in-depth exploration of welfare-based interventions aimed at protecting vulnerable children and emphasises the importance of collaboration with external agencies, such as healthcare providers, welfare services, and law enforcement. By examining real-world strategies and best practices, participants will gain an understanding of the complexities involved in safeguarding children through welfare approaches, as well as promoting overall child wellbeing.
Participants will explore welfare-based interventions and collaborative approaches to safeguard children, particularly those exposed to family violence and mental health challenges. The content focuses on practical strategies for working with welfare services, healthcare, and law enforcement to develop comprehensive safeguarding plans. Emphasis is placed on understanding how welfare systems can be integrated into broader child safeguarding strategies to enhance child wellbeing, including emotional, psychological, and social aspects of health and safety.
The aim of this microcredential is to equip participants with the skills necessary to integrate welfare approaches into broader safeguarding strategies effectively. By understanding the role of external agencies and welfare-based interventions, participants will be prepared to support the wellbeing of children who are vulnerable due to family violence and mental health challenges, ensuring their holistic development and safety.
Campus offering
No unit offerings are currently available for this unit.Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Understand and apply welfare approaches to enhance...
Learning Outcome 01
Analyse the effects of family violence on children...
Learning Outcome 02
Develop and implement collaborative strategies wit...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
Topics will include:
- Welfare Interventions in Child Protection: A comprehensive review of key welfare-based strategies for safeguarding children from neglect and abuse, informed by relevant legislation and policies at both local and international levels.
- Family Violence and Child Protection: Examining the impact of family violence on child well-being, including the psychological, emotional, and social effects, and the role of educational institutions in identifying and responding to these risks.
- Mental Health in Safeguarding: Approaches to supporting the mental health of vulnerable children exposed to trauma or family instability, including an analysis of how welfare systems address mental health concerns.
- Collaboration with External Agencies: Practical strategies for working with welfare services, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and educational institutions to create comprehensive safeguarding plans, with a focus on informing and training team members.
- Legislation, Policy, and Catholic Social Teaching: Interpreting relevant safeguarding legislation, policies, and Catholic moral and social teachings, and how these can be effectively communicated to teams within institutional contexts to ensure comprehensive safeguarding practices.
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment is designed to evaluate participants’ ability to apply the knowledge gained in a practical and reflective manner. It encourages critical thinking, self-assessment, and the integration of theoretical frameworks with professional practice. By focusing on one comprehensive task, the assessment promotes depth of engagement and allows participants to demonstrate their understanding and leadership in safeguarding children. This strategy ensures that the assessment aligns with the unit’s learning objectives, emphasising both reflective analysis and practical application in child-related fields.
Overview of assessments
Situational Analysis and Intervention Plan (2500 ...
Situational Analysis and Intervention Plan (2500 words)
Analysis of a complex scenario involving a vulnerable child within an institutional context and development of a plan for support. The plan should include strategies for promoting the child’s mental health and wellbeing, informed by relevant legislation and policies.
Within the plan, participants will identify the most relevant and effective collaboration opportunities with external agencies, such as healthcare providers, welfare services, and law enforcement, to provide holistic social support. This assessment aims to evaluate participants’ abilities to integrate welfare strategies, interpret relevant policies, and effectively communicate safeguarding approaches within institutional contexts.
100%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Participation in this microcredential will involve a participatory approach, combining activities that integrate theoretical learning with practical application. Through collaborative work, reflective exercises, and problem-solving tasks, students will develop key leadership and ethical decision-making skills. This strategy emphasises active involvement and self-assessment, enhancing students’ ability to translate theory into effective practice in child-related fields. The overarching goal is to ensure that participants are equipped to apply their learning in professional settings.
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers - Highly Accomplished
In connection to the learning outcomes, on successful completion of this unit, pre-service teachers should have developed the following industry specific knowledge based on the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers - Highly Accomplished standards:
Relating toSelect from a flexible and effective repertoire of teaching strategies to suit the physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2
Relating toInitiate and take responsibility for implementing current school and/ or system, curriculum and legislative requirements to ensure student wellbeing and safety.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1
Relating toPlan for professional learning by accessing and critiquing relevant research, engage in high quality targeted opportunities to improve practice and offer quality placements for pre-service teachers where applicable.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers - Lead
In connection to the learning outcomes, on successful completion of this unit, pre-service teachers should have developed the following industry specific knowledge based on the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers - Lead standards:
Relating toEvaluate the effectiveness of student well-being policies and safe working practices using current school and/ or system, curriculum and legislative requirements and assist colleagues to update their practices.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2
Relating toTake a leadership role in professional and community networks and support the involvement of colleagues in external learning opportunities.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3