Unit Outline

This unit will introduce you to the quality, safety and regulatory systems that govern service delivery, reporting and accreditation. Principles, policies, standards and guidelines will be considered in the context of the individual, the consumer and the organisation. A cycle of continuous quality improvement involving planning, implementation, evaluation and adaptation will be emphasised, including the central role of consumers in these processes. You will also explore the importance of organisational vision and values and individual role responsibility and accountability in the achievement of quality and safety outcomes.

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.	Evaluate quality improvement principles and processes and explain how quality, safety, standards and outcomes are measured and reported in practice
2.	Reflect upon and describe the role of the helping professional, consumer and organisation in continuous quality improvement
3.	Communicate quality improvement solutions for practice-based issues and risks

Alterations as a result of student feedback

You will be provided with a range of opportunities to provide feedback on your experiences and insights regarding the learning materials, activities and assessment tasks in this unit. University College encourages you to participate in these opportunities as a way of contributing to the future planning and improvement of this unit.

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:	Quality and Safety Analysis	Week 5	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Review of Standards and Accreditation	Week 10	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Quality Improvement Case Study	Week 14	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Quality and Safety Analysis

Task Description:

This task requires you to reflect on a range of resources and learning activities relating to quality and safety in health and community services. This will involve undertaking a quality and safety assessment (audit) of your own environment or context.
You will then analyse your learnings from this audit and consider the principles of quality and safety as they may relate to the workplace.
You will prepare a written response and submit it to the Assessment Task 1 Folder in MyLO.

Task Length:

600 words

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Evaluate and apply principles and processes of quality and safety	LO1
2	Identify and explain the link between quality and safety principles and practices	LO2
3	Apply professional and academic writing standards	LO3

Assessment Task 2: Review of Standards and Accreditation

Task Description:

This assessment task will be the focus of the ZAC106 workshop, at which you will consider quality improvement for a local community service.
There are 2 parts to this Assessment:
Part 1 requires you to respond to a series of questions regarding quality improvement for the community service. You will answer the questions based on the scenarios provided, and consider the client, the worker, and the organisation to inform your answers.

Part 2 will require you to analyse a case study through the lens of applicable Health and Community Service Standards. You will then provide recommendations around the evidence required to meet these standards, followed by a review of practices from the sector to support your recommendations.

The task will culminate in a written report based on instructions provided via MyLO.
Your report should be prepared and submitted to the Assessment Task 2 folder in MyLO.

Task Length:

750 words

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Evaluate quality systems and standards from the perspective of the client, worker, and organisation	LO2
2	Formulate consumer-centred and evidence-informed recommendations for quality improvement and accreditation	LO1
3	Apply professional and academic communication standards	LO3

Assessment Task 3: Quality Improvement Case Study

Task Description:

This assessment task will conclude our consideration of quality and safety at a local community service.
Drawing upon your knowledge of quality and safety, you will be required to identify and analyse quality risks in a selected case study and propose risk management and quality improvement responses.
You will present your analysis and responses as a recorded presentation.
Guidelines for the presentation will be provided via MyLO.
You will submit the recording to the MyLO Assessment Task 3 Folder.

Task Length:

Maximum 10-minute Presentation (10 Slides)

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify and analyse quality and safety issues	LO1
2	Explain the impact of quality and safety factors on key stakeholders (consumers, workers and organisations)	LO2
3	Apply knowledge of CQI frameworks to the development of evidence-informed risk management and quality improvement responses	LO1
4	Communicate in a clear and professional manner	LO3

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.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

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.