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Diploma of Community Services Work

GCHC50608  071354G



Duration

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Fee*
2 Year/s Croydon (Term 1, Term 3)
Prahran (Term 1, Term 3) 		A$11,750 (annual for 2012) 
*The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students studying on-campus in Australia for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

The Diploma of Community Services Work is designed to equip participants with the skills, knowledge and understanding to work in the community services/welfare sector in service delivery to clients, in a wide variety of settings. Graduates from this course provide a holistic approach to client needs including social, emotional, psychological and practical support.

Careers in community services/welfare work are both demanding and highly rewarding. Those seeking to work in community services/welfare should enjoy working with people and understand the nature of social disadvantage. Desirable qualities for community services/welfare work are tolerance, empathy, flexibility and well-developed interpersonal skills.

Opportunities for further study exist for graduates who may be eligible for credits in other specialist Certificate IV and degree courses. Please note that this course includes a work-based training component that may be conducted off-campus.

To gain the Diploma of Community Services Work qualification, candidates must complete and be deemed competent in 11 core units plus seven elective units.

To be assessed as competent in this qualification, individual workers are required to undertake supervised work placement in a relevant community service delivery setting, involving for example, direct client work or community education or development. Evidence provided by the supervisor will contribute to assessment of the candidate's ability to work at this level.

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The course aims to provide participants with the knowledge, skills and values to perform competently as professional community services workers or social welfare workers.

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This course is delivered over two years full-time during which 18 units must be completed plus two pre-requisite units. There are 11 core units and seven elective units.
 
Students will be required to attend classes and participate in industry experience. A significant feature of the course is the industry experience component that enables students to link classroom learning and theory to the workplace. Students are required to undertake a placement during the year. Placement is negotiated with community services/welfare agencies that provide students witht the opportunity to experience workplace learning.

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Core units
CHCCD514A  Implement community development strategies
CHCCM503C  Develop, facilitate and monitor all aspects of case management
CHCCOM504A  Develop, implement and promote effective workplace communication
CHCCS500A  Conduct complex assessment and referral
CHCCSL501A  Work within a structured counselling framework
CHCCW503A  Work intensively with clients
CHCGROUP403D  Plan and conduct group activities
CHCLD514A  Analyse impacts of sociological factors on clients in community work and services
CHCLD415A  Confirm client developmental status
CHCORG428A  Reflect on and improve own professional practice
HLTOHS300A  Contribute to OHS processes
 
Elective units (select seven units below)
CHCAD603A  Provide systems advocacy services (this is a Group A elective - must be selected)
CHCCS502B  Maintain legal and ethical work practises (this is a Group B elective - must be selected)
HLTOHS300B  Contribute to OH&S processes

Alcohol and other drugs work (A&ODW) and mental health
CHCAOD510B  Work effectively with clients with complex AOD issues
CHCMH408B  Provide interventions to meet the needs of consumers with mental health and AOD issues - (youth work)
CHCCH427A  Work effectively with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness

Protective care and youth work
CHCYTH506A  Provide services for young people appropriate to their needs and circumstances
HLTHIR404D  Work effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
CHCCHILD505B  Work effectively in child protection and out of home care for children and young people

Professional practice
CHCCS805B  Undertake professional reflection
CHCCS504A  Provide services to clients with complex needs
CHCCD505D  Develop community resources

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Employment may be found in a range of community service and welfare organisations including positions such as:
  • Family support worker
  • Group facilitator
  • Case worker or manager
  • Pastoral care counsellor
  • Client service assessor
  • Community services worker
  • Program coordinator or manager
  • Migrant resource and support worker
  • Juvenile justice worker
  • Child protection worker
  • Mental health support worker

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Apply for this course by following the step-by-step process on our How to Apply page.

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Swinburne College English for Academic Purposes Advanced level  certificate at the undergraduate level (EAP 5: UG-65% ); OR, Obtaining a minimum IELTS overall band of 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0; OR, a TOEFL (Paper-based) minimum score of 550 (with Test of Written English (TWE) score of 5); OR, a TOEFL (Computer-based) minimum score of 213 (with Written Writing score of 5); OR, a TOEFL (Internet-based) minimum score of 80 with no band less than 20.

 

Refer to the English Language Requirements website for further information.

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Completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent.

Preference will be given to applicants who have a minimum of two years' work experience (paid or voluntary) in the community services field or in welfare-related areas. Detailed written evidence of this experience and description of duties/activities, etc. must be provided.

Applicants without sufficient work experience who demonstrate a high level of maturity or life experience and an understanding of the community services/welfare industry in their own country will also be considered. A written statement documenting life experience and knowledge of the welfare industry must be provided.

All applicants will be required to demonstrate a commitment to social justice and working with disadvantaged groups. They must provide a detailed written statement explaining why they want to do the course and what their career objectives are on completion of the course.

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Group and interpersonal skills consistent with the sector; an understanding of the nature of the work and the sector; high level literacy skills; an understanding of and commitment to social justice; well developed critical and analytical skills.

International student selection process for entry into the Diploma of Community Services Work & Diploma of Community Development is as follows:
1. Prospective applicants will be informed of process and criteria through the internet and international agencies.
2. Submit application form - including a minimum of 1 professional referee who will be contacted to discuss the applicant.
   a. Meet eligibility criteria: ability to work at post year 12 level and;
   b. Provide verifiable experience in paid or unpaid relevant work;12 months for part-time study and 24 months for full time study.
3. Attend a telephone selection interview, including submission of written task; assessed against selection criteria (see attached).
4. Offer of place sent to applicant if they have met the selection criteria.
5. Enrolment in the course.

The documents for students to complete are the application form, submission of CV, two referees, at least one from a significant person who has worked in the community services field. Some Institutes also require students to sign a copy of the AIWCW code of ethics.
The application form should allow for students to identify if they require assistance with any part of the selection process, e.g. wheel chair access, large print material.

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Phone:
+613 8676 7002 (outside Australia)
Freecall 1800 897 973 (within Australia)

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Visit our Meet Us page to see when we are visiting your home country (or here in Australia)

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A range of scholarships is available to international students, visit our Scholarship Page for details.

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