Human Services Curriculum Framework: Content Overview

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the core units and mind map branches of the HSC Human Services Curriculum Framework, including Healthy Body Systems, Industry Context, Work Health and Safety, Professional Practice, and Workplace Diversity.

Anatomical Position

The standard reference position of the human body used in anatomical and medical terminology: standing upright, facing forward, with arms at the sides and palms facing outward.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal bodily environment through balanced interactions, regulatory relationships, and physiological principles.

Anterior and Posterior

Directional terms referring to the front (anterior) and back (posterior) surfaces or locations of the human body.

Superior and Inferior

Directional anatomical terms indicating position towards the head or upper body (superior) versus position towards the feet or lower body (inferior).

Medial and Lateral

Directional terms describing position relative to the body's midline: medial indicates closer to the midline, while lateral indicates further away towards the outer sides.

Proximal and Distal

Directional anatomical terms used for limbs: proximal means closer to the point of attachment or trunk, whereas distal means further away from the point of attachment.

Extension and Flexion

Movement terms where flexion decreases the angle between body parts or joints, and extension increases the angle or straightens the joint.

Protraction and Retraction

Anatomical movement terms where protraction involves moving a body structure forward or anteriorly, and retraction involves moving it backward or posteriorly.

Superficial and Deep

Anatomical depth descriptors: superficial refers to structures located near or on the surface of the body, while deep refers to structures located further beneath the surface.

Advance Care Planning

A formal national framework outlining the purpose, intent, and processes for individuals to plan and articulate their future medical treatment and health care preferences.

Duty of Care

The legal and ethical obligation requiring human services and health workers to avoid acts or omissions that could foreseeably harm a client or colleague.

Dignity of Risk

The ethical principle recognizing an individual's autonomy and right to make choices, take calculated risks, and learn from life experiences.

Informed Consent

A legal and ethical process ensuring that a client voluntarily agrees to a procedure or intervention after receiving clear, comprehensive information about its purpose, benefits, and potential risks.

Mandatory Reporting

The legislative requirement compelling designated professionals to report suspected child abuse, indicators of harm, or specific high-risk disclosures to appropriate statutory authorities.

Person-Centred Care

A service delivery model that positions the client's needs, preferences, values, and autonomy at the center of all planning and care decisions.

Multidisciplinary Team

A collaborative group comprised of professionals from diverse healthcare and community disciplines working together to assess, plan, and deliver comprehensive client care.

Code of Conduct

A formal set of professional and ethical standards established by an industry or workplace to govern the expected behavior, responsibilities, and integrity of workers.

Industry Currency

The ongoing maintenance of up-to-date industry knowledge, technical skills, and workplace practices required for a worker to remain competent and effective in their role.

Award (Employment)

A legally binding document outlining minimum terms and employment conditions—such as wages, leave, and hours of work—for specific industries or job roles.

PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking)

Under WHS legislation, the primary legal entity (employer, business owner, or organisation) holding the principal duty of care for workplace health and safety.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Specialized gear, clothing, or barriers worn by workers to protect themselves against workplace hazards, chemical risks, or infectious agents.

Hazard

Any object, situation, substance, or condition in the workplace with the potential to cause injury, illness, damage, or harm.

Risk

The likelihood and severity of illness, injury, or harm occurring when an individual is exposed to a workplace hazard.

Hierarchy of Risk Control

A systematic ranking of risk management strategies arranged from most effective to least effective: Elimination, Minimisation (Substitution, Modification, Isolation, Engineering Controls), Administrative Controls, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Chain of Infection

The six-stage cycle required for an infection to spread: Causative Agent, Reservoir, Portal of Exit, Mode of Transmission, Portal of Entry, and Susceptible Host.

Standard Precautions

The baseline infection prevention and control work practices applied to all client care, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status, to minimise transmission risks.

Transmission-Based Precautions

Additional infection control practices (contact, airborne, or droplet) implemented when standard precautions alone are insufficient to prevent the spread of contagious pathogens.

DRSABCD

The standardized primary first aid assessment protocol following Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) guidelines: Danger, Response, Send for help, Airway, Breathing, CPR, Defibrillator.

Continuous Improvement

An ongoing, systematic organizational process of reviewing, auditing, and refining work practices to achieve higher standards of client outcomes and service delivery.

Therapeutic Relationship

A purposeful, goal-oriented, and professional alliance established between a worker and a client founded on mutual trust, respect, empathy, and professional boundaries.

Augmentative Communication Aids

Specialized communication devices, tools, and visual systems used to assist individuals with speech, language, or cognitive impairments in expressing their needs.

Cultural Competence

The ability of healthcare and community service workers to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with people across diverse cultures, values, and backgrounds.

Cultural Safety

An environment that is spiritually, socially, and emotionally safe, where an individual's identity is acknowledged, respected, and free from denial or discrimination.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

The legal and workplace principle ensuring all individuals have fair and equal access to employment opportunities without unlawful discrimination or bias.

Mediation

A structured dispute resolution technique where an impartial third party assists disputing parties in identifying issues, developing options, and reaching an agreed solution.