Examination extended response (25%) (Elective topic 1: Homelessness) This sample has been compiled by the QCAA to assist and support teachers in planning and developing assessment instruments for individual school settings. Assessment objectives This assessment instrument is used to determine student achievement in the following objectives: 1. recognise and describe information from primary sources and secondary sources about the chosen topic in an alternate community context 2. comprehend and use the specified approaches, frameworks or resources as they relate to the chosen topic in an alternate community context 3. analyse and interpret information from primary sources and secondary sources about the chosen health-related topic and issues in an alternate community context 4. critique information to distinguish determinants that influence health status in an alternate community context 5. organise information about a chosen issue for a particular purpose 7. evaluate and reflect on an implemented diffusion action strategy for a chosen issue using RE-AIM and justify recommendations in an alternate community health context 8. make decisions about and use mode-appropriate features, language and conventions for a particular purpose. Note: Objective 6 is not assessed in this instrument. 171813
Subject Health Instrument no. IA2 Technique Unit Topic Examination extended response Unit 3: Community as a resource for healthy living Elective topic 1: Homelessness Conditions Response type Extended response Time 2 hours Planning 15 minutes planning time Word length 800 1000 words Seen/unseen Unseen Other Unseen stimulus Two A4 notes pages allowed (to be authenticated by the teacher prior to the examination) Instructions Compose your response in the space provided. The response should include the written, language and genre features of an essay. Task The local council member responsible for the Essingham Council s Home not away homelessness strategy has asked you to recommend one homelessness innovation to diffuse into their community. Compose an extended response to the question: What is the likely impact and diffusion of the innovation selected for the Essingham region? To complete this task, you must: select your diffusion action strategy innovation, or the alternate innovation presented in the stimulus, to answer the question analyse and interpret the significant features of the setting in the Essingham region to draw conclusions about local or regional features and trends relevant to the selected innovation the most significant barriers to and enablers of the selected innovation existing personal, social and community resources critique information from the stimulus material, using the community level of influence from the social ecological model, to distinguish the most significant determinants that impact on homelessness in the Essingham region and are relevant to the selected innovation use two of the RE-AIM steps (R)each, (E)ffectiveness, (A)doption, (I)mplementation and (M)aintenance to evaluate and reflect on the characteristics of the selected innovation that would affect diffusion in the Essingham region the likely impact on innovation uptake justify one recommendation that mediates, advocates or enables future action in the Essingham region, based on the likely impact and diffusion of the selected innovation. Stimulus A one-page A3 stimulus accompanies this instrument. Page 2 of 8
Criterion Marks allocated Result Recognising and comprehending Assessment objectives 1, 2 Analysing, critiquing and organising Assessment objectives 3, 4, 5 Evaluating and reflecting Assessment objective 7 Communicating Assessment objective 8 6 8 8 3 Total 25 Page 3 of 8
Instrument-specific marking guide (ISMG) Criterion: Recognising and comprehending Assessment objectives 1. recognise and describe information from primary sources and secondary sources about the chosen topic in an alternate community context 2. comprehend and use the specified approaches, frameworks or resources as they relate to the chosen topic in an alternate community context The student work has the following characteristics: accurate recognition and discerning description of relevant and provided contextual information from primary sources and secondary sources that includes resources, barriers and enablers for the target group data trends and the impact on the health status of the target group determinants succinct comprehension and perceptive use of the relevant overarching health approaches, frameworks or resources social ecological model level of influence diffusion process variables. recognition and appropriate description of some contextual information from primary sources and secondary sources that includes resources, barriers and enablers for the target group data trends determinants comprehension and appropriate use of the overarching health approaches, frameworks or resources social ecological model level of influence diffusion process variables. variable recognition and superficial description of some information about the chosen topic superficial comprehension and use of aspects of an overarching health resource a diffusion of innovations concept. Marks 5 6 3 4 1 2 does not satisfy any of the descriptors above. 0 Page 4 of 8
Criterion: Analysing, critiquing and organising Assessment objectives 3. analyse and interpret information from primary sources and secondary sources about the chosen health-related topic and issues in an alternate community context 4. critique information to distinguish determinants that influence health status in an alternate community context 5. organise information about a chosen issue for a particular purpose The student work has the following characteristics: insightful analysis and interpretation of relevant and provided contextual information related to implemented action from primary sources and secondary sources to draw conclusions about: data trends barriers and enablers personal, social and community resources insightful critique of relevant contextual information using the social ecological model to distinguish the significant determinants that influence health in the alternate community context coherent and effective organisation of information to achieve a particular purpose. purposeful analysis and interpretation of relevant and provided contextual information related to implemented action from primary sources and secondary sources to draw conclusions about: data trends barriers and enablers personal, social or community resources purposeful critique of relevant contextual information using the social ecological model to distinguish the determinants that influence health in the alternate community context effective organisation of information to achieve a particular purpose. appropriate analysis and interpretation of contextual information related to implemented action from relevant and/or provided primary sources and/or secondary sources to draw conclusions about: data trends barriers or enablers personal, social or community resources appropriate critique of contextual information to distinguish the determinants that influence health appropriate organisation of information to achieve a particular purpose. superficial analysis and interpretation of aspects of information about implemented action from sources identification of determinants that influence health organisation of aspects of information. Marks 7 8 5 6 3 4 1 2 does not satisfy any of the descriptors above. 0 Page 5 of 8
Criterion: Evaluating and reflecting Assessment objective 7. evaluate and reflect on an implemented diffusion action strategy for a chosen issue using RE-AIM and justify recommendations that mediate, advocate and enable innovation uptake in a community health context The student work has the following characteristics: critical evaluation and insightful reflection on the innovation impact, methodology and resources using two relevant steps of RE-AIM discerning justification of recommendations for future action that mediates, advocates or enables innovation uptake in an alternate community health context using the diffusion of innovations model. considered evaluation and purposeful reflection on the innovation impact, methodology and resources using RE-AIM effective justification of recommendations for future action in an alternate community health context using the diffusion of innovations model. feasible evaluation and reflection on the innovation using RE-AIM feasible justification of recommendations for future action in a community health context. superficial evaluation and reflection on aspects of the innovation superficial or partial recommendations for future action. Marks 7 8 5 6 3 4 1 2 does not satisfy any of the descriptors above. 0 Page 6 of 8
Criterion: Communicating Assessment objective 8. make decisions about and use mode-appropriate features, language and conventions for a particular purpose The student work has the following characteristics: discerning decision-making and accurate use of written features to achieve a particular purpose language for a community context referencing and essay genre conventions. appropriate decision-making and use of written features to achieve a particular purpose language for a community context referencing and essay genre conventions. variable and/or inappropriate use of written features language referencing and/or essay genre conventions. Marks 3 2 1 does not satisfy any of the descriptors above. 0 Page 7 of 8
Stimulus Features of the setting Essingham region (alternate context) Essingham points of note rural city situated 203 km inland from the coast with a population of 182 345 and a considerable transient population due to seasonal work in the farming and mining industries increasing rate of refugee settlement in the area 1048 homeless people (0.57% of the population) population density of 67.4 persons per square kilometre with an average age of 35 housing median price of $362 458 average median household income of $836 per week 22.2% of households are low-income households (less than $600 weekly income) Socio-economic indexes for areas (SEIFA) below the national average. SEIFA is measured from attributes that reflect relative disadvantage such as low income, low educational attainment, high unemployment and skilled/unskilled occupations. Figure 1: Causes of homelessness in Essingham Percentage 30% 20% 10% 0% 25% Domestic and family violence 21% Housing affordability Figure 2: Where Essingham homeless people stay Overcrowded housing Boarding houses Temporary arrangements (e.g. with relatives or friends, couch-surfing) Supported accommodation for homeless people Sleeping rough (e.g. on the street, makeshift shelters, tents) Figure 4: Essingham demographics 2017 18% Financial difficulties People who receive welfare benefits as their main source of income People ascertained as living below the poverty line People with postgraduate qualifications Youth (15 19) engaged in work or study Unemployed Labour force 7% 16% 18% 13% 6% 22% 13% Inadequate or overcrowded dwellings 26% 37% 46% Figure 3: Age distribution of homeless people in Essingham % of homeless Age distribution group 2015 2016 2017 Under 12 18% 19% 20% 12 to 18 15% 17% 18% 19 to 24 18% 20% 22% 25 to 34 15% 14% 12% 35 to 44 12% 10% 9% 45 to 54 10% 9% 8% 55 to 64 7% 7% 7% 65 to 74 4% 3% 3% 75 and over 1% 1% 1% 58% 7% Relationship or family breakdown 72% 16% Other reasons 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Figure 5: Essingham Council s Home not away homelessness goals and targets for 2017 2025 The Home not away goals: 1. Fast-track rehousing and permanent supportive housing. 2. Employ case managers to create a database of clients and to assign appropriate client-focused services. 3. Create safer environments to minimise harm by prioritising shelter for chronic homeless people who are sleeping rough. 4. Educate and train verified homeless people or those at risk to maximise employment and self-sufficiency. 5. Assist homeless people to connect with their family and community, and support them to improve relationships. By 2025, the council hopes to achieve the following targets: reduce the number of homeless to below the national average of 0.5% increase permanent housing arrangements by 10% secure funding through grants such as Queensland s Dignity first fund to employ five new case managers in Essingham create a homeless database to monitor and assign client-focused services to meet individual needs collaborate with local homeless services to maximise reach and reduce costs set up an additional crisis centre to help those in need of immediate assistance, such as people fleeing domestic violence commit $100 000 yearly for local businesses to employ and train verified homeless people or those at risk initiate a local business fund to sponsor verified homeless people or those at risk with educational and training costs create a dedicated local website and hotline to allow community members to seek assistance for those affected by domestic violence, financial hardship, mental health issues and emotional turmoil commit $10 000 yearly to crisis counselling and programs such as Respectful relationships and Positive parent program. Characteristics of the alternate innovation GPS tracking program Figure 6: GPS Homeless under care Homeless under care (HUC) is an opt-in program, where homeless people are tracked in order to better meet the needs of those sleeping rough. The GPS tracking device (pictured left) is similar to those trialled in Denmark and has been introduced to a city in Australia with great success. The GPS units cost $34.50 each, with 1000 purchased by the local city council through state and federal funding. The devices can provide GPS coordinates, are rechargeable, compact (can fit in a pocket), and have a microphone and up to three stored phone numbers that can be contacted in an emergency situation. Prior to the HUC innovation being introduced in the Australian city, that community had 724 verified homeless people sleeping rough. This number is now considerably lower. There has also been a reduction in harm associated with sleeping rough. Since 2016, the HUC has witnessed: an initial uptake of 514 GPS units (71% of the verified homeless opting in) a 15% reduction in those verified as sleeping rough (the last official count was 615 verified homeless) a reduction in the initial number of those using the GPS tracker (now 421), with a significant percentage of those no longer needing the device as they are living in more stable accommodation a noticeable reduction in those requiring services (food, clothing and emergency supplies) according to not-for-profit organisations such as Rosies and The Salvation Army the set-up of a dedicated hotline to address emergency care and counselling the implementation of a fast-tracking system where those sleeping rough are prioritised for crisis accommodation the employment of a dedicated case manager who determines the best client-focused intervention strategies. HUC findings While the HUC program has been successful, some issues have arisen in the initial phase. Several homeless people were concerned about privacy and felt there was an ulterior motive for the monitoring. A substantial number of devices (132) have been damaged, misused, lost or destroyed. These have been replaced or repaired at great cost. Some individuals have lost or damaged more than two devices, and these have not been replaced. While the devices are easy to use, the recharging of the devices every three days has been challenging, given limited access to electricity among homeless people. Page 8 of 8