Unit Outline

In this unit students will explore issues related to counselling with children and adolescents. Consideration is given to developmental issues, attachment, disorders of childhood and adolescence, chronic illness and disability. Strategies for intervention will also be addressed including engaging children in therapy and the therapeutic needs of children and adolescents facing specific problems. Child protection issues will also be explored. This unit is designed to equip students with basic knowledge with regard to child and adolescent functioning and practical skills for the delivery of child and adolescent counselling models.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Describe the theories of child development and normal development trajectories
2.	Identify common disorders of childhood and adolescence
3.	Evaluate the process of attachment in children and its role in development
4.	Evaluate the impact of the experience of trauma and illness on development
5.	Implement the knowledge and skills for engaging children and adolescents in therapy

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Concurrent Pre-requisite	KHA501

Alterations as a result of student feedback

No alterations have been made as a result of student feedback.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Child Attachment Scenario and Short Answer Questions	Week 7	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 2:	Case Scenario and Skills Task	Week 10	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 3:	Case study analysis/Essay	Week 13	40 %	LO1, LO3, LO4, LO5

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Child Attachment Scenario and Short Answer Questions

Task Description:

You will be provided with a case study that depicts a child attachment scenario. You must review the information and respond to two short answer questions.
1. Using attachment theory, describe the attachment styles displayed in the scenario and the factors that may have influenced the attachment relationship
2. Provide a description of the therapeutic process and strategies that the clinician could use to assist in rebuilding the attachment relationship

Task Length:

1000 words

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describe the attachment process in children and how it is formed	LO3
2	Identify and apply relevant theories of attachment to the given case study.	LO1, LO3
3	Evaluate how different styles of attachment influence developmental outcomes.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
4	Develop evidence based interventions to address attachment issues.	LO5

Assessment Task 2: Case Scenario and Skills Task

Task Description:

A skills task will be provided that relates to an important topic in the Unit Content. Students are required provide a considered response/demonstration to the task.
The response should be designed to demonstrate the knowledge that has been gained through the course content.

Task Length:

500 words

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply case formulation and planning skills	LO2, LO4
2	Apply treatment planning skills	LO5
3	Apply evidence based and age appropriate communication skills	LO1
4	Apply theory and research evidence in engaging the target population	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

Assessment Task 3: Case study analysis/Essay

Task Description:

Analysis of Case Study depicting a scenario of adolescent in crisis.

Provide a written response outlining:
• The identification of risk factors
• Confidentiality and Ethical dilemmas
• Risk management strategies and education for parents and young people

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify evidence based risk factors relating to self-harm and suicide	LO1, LO3
2	Identify and describe the ethical considerations of the case study	LO1, LO3, LO5
3	Identify and apply evidence based risk management strategies	LO1, LO3, LO5
4	Clarity of writing and expression of knowledge and integration of research literature	LO1, LO3, LO4, LO5

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.