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This qualification reflects the roles of community services, case management and social housing workers involved in the managing, co-ordinating and/or delivering of person-centred services to individuals, groups and communities.

At this level, workers have specialised skills in community services and work autonomously under broad directions from senior management. Workers are usually providing direct support to individuals or groups of individuals. Workers may also have responsibility for the supervision of other workers and volunteers and/or case management; program coordination or the development of new business opportunities.

CHC52015

Career Outcomes

Those who complete the course could be expected to work as a:


Unit Manager

Coordinator, Volunteer Programs

Team Leader in Community Sector

Service, Program or Volunteer Coordinator

Additional Information

Education Pathway

Students may continue their education in:

  • CHC62015 Advanced Diploma of Community Services
  • Any other qualifications related to Community Services or Healthcare

Course Duration

104 weeks comprising of 72 scheduled tuition weeks, 8 weeks of work placement and 24 weeks of holidays.

Delivery Method

20 hours per week of classroom based learning and 160 hours of work placement.

Course Location

This course is delivered in our classrooms at Level 5 20-22 Macquarie Street Parramatta NSW 2150. Classrooms include data projection and a whiteboard, private study space and WI-FI capability.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this qualification or any of the units of competency contained within it.

Recognition of Prior Learning [RPL]

Recognition of Prior Learning [RPL] is a process where skills and knowledge that you have gained through work and life experience and other unrecognised training can be formally recognised.

*Please refer to your Student Handbook

Course Credit

Australian College of Studies can grant you credit towards your course for units of competency that you have already completed with another RTO or authorised issuing organisation. There is no charge to apply for Credit. To apply, fill in the Credit Application Form and submit it as part of your enrolment. *Please refer to your Student Handbook for more information on Course Credit.

Placement Arrangements

Students will complete 160 hours of work placement. Placements will be in an accredited community service facility and/or home. ACOS has agreements with sufficient workplaces to provide suitable placements for the students. If you would like to select your own community service facility or home facility, you will need to discuss this arrangement with Student Support. ACOS maintains its own student insurance scheme.

How to Apply

If you would like to enrol into the CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services, please contact our office on 1300 415 233 or via email info@acos.edu.au.

International students only: If you are transferring from another provider, please ensure you have a letter of release so that Australian College of Studies can issue you with a new Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) letter.

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Course Entry Requirement

ACOS requires that all students:

  • Are over the age of 18
  • Demonstrate an interest in, knowledge of, and suitability for work in the community. This will be assessed during an interview conducted prior to enrolment.
  • Domestic Students to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy Test.

Further Information – International Students

This course is available to international students who are able to provide evidence that they:

  • meet one of the following English proficiency requirements:
    • a valid IELTS score of 5.5 with no score below 5.0 in any band, or equivalent.
    • have successfully completed their Year 12 or equivalent in English Language.
  • It is a condition of entry that upon acceptance, students provide evidence of having an Australian Student Visa (subclass 500).

Additional Support

All students will complete a language literacy and numeracy assessment to determine their learning support needs. All students will be provided with a range of learning support options and resources to help you achieve competency. Where additional support needs have been identified an Individual Support Plan will be developed which may include: 

  • Mentoring from trainers
  • Additional classes, tutorials and workshops
  • Online support and exercises for some courses
  • Computer and technology support
  • Referral to external support services
  • Reasonable adjustment to assessments 

ACOS will provide additional support for any students experiencing:

  • Disability and access issues; 
  • Language barriers; 
  • Language, literacy and numeracy issues; 
  • Employment issues; and/or 
  • Any other issues that may affect their ability to achieve their training goals.

Provision of additional support services will be provided where necessary to enable students to participate in the same way as any other person regardless of whether support services have been required.

Units of Competency

CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services requires the completion of the following 16 units (including 8 core and 8 electives).

Code Title Core / Elective
HLTWHS004 Manage work health and safety Core
CHCLEG003 Manage legal and ethical compliance Core
CHCMGT005 Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes Core
CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice Core
CHCDEV002 Analyse impacts of sociological factors on clients in community work and services Core
CHCCOM003 Develop workplace communication strategies Core
CHCDIV003 Manage and promote diversity Core
CHCCCS007 Develop and implement service programs Core
CHCCCS023 Support independence and wellbeing Elective
CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety Elective
CHCADV001 Facilitate the interests and rights of clients Elective
CHCCSM005 Develop, facilitate and review all aspects of case management Elective
CHCMHS002 Establish self-directed recovery relationships Elective
CHCMHS003 Provide recovery oriented mental health services Elective
CHCMHS005 Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues Elective
CHCMHS004 Work collaboratively with the care network and other services Elective
Orientation

Training Arrangements

The first week will include an orientation session that will cover the following: 

  • Details about living in Australia such as transport, city orientation and currency 
  • How to access support services provided by ACOS
  • External support services available such as legal, emergency, health and wellbeing 
  • Nearby amenities to assist with learning such as libraries   
  • Student Code of Conduct
  • Complaints and Appeals policy and procedure
  • Critical Incident policy and procedure
  • Privacy
  • Introduction to course requirements
  • Course progress and attendance requirements and impact on VISA requirements
Classroom Training

The course will be delivered in the classroom for theory based learning giving students the opportunity to share ideas, discuss and explore core concepts and the practice skills before applying them in their work placement. 

Training will be delivered 3 days per week:

  • 2 days from 9am to 4pm 
  • 1 day from 9am to 5pm.  

Students will have access to College facilities when they are not attending placement to conduct self-study or research and or complete assessment tasks. 

During training sessions students will also have access to the clinical simulation room to learn and practice skills such as performing activities of daily living tasks for their clients, using equipment such as the lifting hoist, practicing safe manual handling and infection control techniques etc. before placement begins.

Work Placement 

Students will attend work placement during week 60-62 (total 60 hours), week 85-86 (total 40 hours), and week 96-98 (total 60 hours).  Students will complete 160 hours of work placement in total.  

Work placement is designed to: 

  • Gain invaluable experience in a real work environment
  • Complete and receive feedback on practical work
  • Develop an understanding of workplace expectations and practices
  • Observe experienced staff completing tasks
  • Develop an understanding of workplace policies and procedures 
  • Form networks that may assist with future job opportunities

Assessment Arrangements

Assessment will be conducted individually. You will be provided with a Student Assessment Booklet for each unit of competency which includes:

  • A full description of all assessment tasks for the unit of competency
  • Assessment instructions for each unit of competency
  • Assessment resources for each unit of competency
  • Details about when assessment will occur
  • Details about assessment submission

There are a variety of assessment methods used for this qualification including:

  • Written questions
  • Projects
  • Case studies
  • Role Plays
  • Research
  • Reports