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Diploma of Community Services CHC52015
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Overview

This course provides you with the skills, techniques and theories in the area of community welfare. You will have the opportunity to gain practical experience in the field of community welfare. Graduates of this course are working as community welfare workers in health and community services fields.

This course is in transition. You may be transferred to a replacement course in 2024.

Qualification:

 Diploma of Community Services CHC52015

Next Intake:

 Semester 2 2024

Course No:

 DP-HS08

Campus:

 CIT Bruce 

Duration:

 2 semester full-time after you have completed a relevant Certificate IV (approx. 20 hours per week) OR part-time equivalent.

Learners without a relevant Certificate IV can complete the Diploma in 3 -4 semesters full-time (approx. 20 hours per week) or part-time equivalent.

Cost Info:

Further information about fees is available at Course fees and assistance

Indicative Cost:

 Standard $3,600
Apprentice/Trainee
  • Subsidised fee $430

Likely Job Outcome:

 Manager/advanced skills community welfare worker in the health and community services field - including children's services, family support, women's and men's services, residential and non-residential.

Application Type:

 Register Your Interest
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Timetable Information

To help with the enrolment process print your timetable, or keep the window open, so that you can refer back to it for your course code, course name, and the Course Reference Numbers (CRNs) or Block Code.

Additional Information

This course has a mandatory work placement (120 hours in total). CIT teachers co-ordinate placements. Before undertaking any industry placement, you must be eligible to apply for, and hold a 'Working with Vulnerable People Check'. Information will be provided on enrolment.

If you are currently working and you have extensive relevant experience, or a Certificate IV you may meet the placement requirement.

Entry Requirements

To ensure your success in this course, the preferred pathway is for all learners to complete a relevant Certificate IV qualification in Community Work at CIT.

Skills Recognition

To study any course at CIT (excluding degrees and non-accredited training) you must have a Unique Student Identifier (USI).

Further Study

Australian Catholic University
Bachelor of Social Work

Literacy Skills Information

We suggest that you will need Australian Core Skills Framework literacy levels of at least 3 across reading, writing, learning, oral communication and, depending on your course of study, numeracy skills to successfully complete this course. If you do not have this level, you can still enrol and seek support to improve your skills or you may prefer to begin with the lower level course. Please visit Foundation Skills.

Transition Information

Qualifications at CIT are regularly updated or replaced to meet current industry needs and maximise your employment opportunities. If this occurs while you are part way through a qualification, you may need to vary your learning to meet the new national requirements. CIT will aim to make this as smooth as possible for you.

Subject Cancellations/Changes

To ensure positive outcomes for all students, CIT may need to cancel or change classes at short notice. CIT will make every effort to inform students as soon as changes are made and will also make every effort to offer alternative arrangements for students to meet the requirements of the subject and complete their qualification. In an unfortunate instance when this cannot be met, you will receive a full refund. Please ensure you maintain current contact details via CIT Self Service or by contacting CIT Student Services at infoline@cit.edu.au.


Subject Information

Complete 16 subjects

Core: Complete all 8

  • CHCCOM003   Develop workplace communication strategies
    • CIT Code: COMM495
      Cost: Standard $220.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop communication protocols for a team or business unit. This unit applies to workers responsible for overseeing the communication of organisation-specific information to a range of internal and external stakeholders.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCDIV003   Manage and promote diversity
    • CIT Code: HUSE488
      Cost: Standard $176.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to evaluate and promote diversity in the workplace, and to contribute to the planning of diversity policies and procedures. This may apply to internal work practices or external service delivery. This unit applies to individuals working in any type of leadership role across all industry sectors.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCCCS007   Develop and implement service programs
    • CIT Code: HUSE495
      Cost: Standard $220.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to engage consumers, analyse service needs of particular groups and develop programs and services to meet those needs. This unit applies to workers coordinating or managing teams and operations in varied service delivery contexts.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCLEG003   Manage legal and ethical compliance
    • CIT Code: LEGL220
      Cost: Standard $176.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research information about compliance and ethical practice responsibilities, and then develop and monitor policies and procedures to meet those responsibilities. This unit applies to people working in roles with managerial responsibility for legal and ethical compliance in small to medium sized organisations. There may or may not be a team of workers involved.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCDEV002   Analyse impacts of sociological factors on clients in community work and services
    • CIT Code: WELF441
      Cost: Standard $220.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to function independently and to plan and undertake community work and associated services. The unit describes the application of knowledge of the broad social and cultural context in which work is planned and implemented in the community services industry. This unit applies to workers who seek to better understand their client groups and issues that impact on the lives of their clients and hence on their delivery of services.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCPRP003   Reflect on and improve own professional practice
    • CIT Code: WELF469
      Cost: Standard $168.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to evaluate and enhance own practice through a process of reflection and ongoing professional development. This unit applies to workers in all industry sectors who take pro-active responsibility for their own professional development.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCMGT005   Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes
    • CIT Code: WELF476
      Cost: Standard $264.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to monitor and support workers. This includes implementing support processes to manage stress and emotional wellbeing of self or colleagues working in varied health and community service contexts. It also involves facilitating structured debriefing sessions to colleagues following incidents with the potential to impact on health and wellbeing. This unit applies to leadership or management roles where the individual provides peer to peer support to colleagues and refers to specialised support services in line with organisation guidelines as required.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • HLTWHS004   Manage work health and safety
    • CIT Code: WPHS113
      Cost: Standard $88.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish, maintain and evaluate work health and safety (WHS) policies, procedures and programs in the relevant work area, according to WHS legislative requirements. This unit applies to workers who have responsibility for WHS as part of their role, including workers with obligations under WHS legislation, persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs), or their officers (as defined by relevant legislation).
      Prerequisites: Nil

Electives: Complete 6

  • CHCPRP001   Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships
    • CIT Code: COMM499
      Cost: Standard $176.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify networking and collaboration needs and develop formal and informal partnerships to enhance service delivery and improve professional practice. This unit applies to work in all industry sectors, and to individuals who take pro-active responsibility for improving collaboration between workers and organisations.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCGRP002   Plan and conduct group activities
    • CIT Code: HUSE512
      Cost: Standard $154.00
      Description: This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to establish, lead and participate in a groups using a collaborative, strengths-based approach. This unit applies to any individual involved in planning and leading group activities. Groups may be formal or informal.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCMHS001   Work with people with mental health issues
    • CIT Code: HUSE500
      Cost: Standard $190.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish relationships, clarify needs, and then work collaboratively with people who are living with mental health issues. This unit applies to support workers in contexts outside the mental health sector, but who come into contact with people with mental health issues. The services and support provided are not mental health specific.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCCSL001   Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
    • CIT Code: WELF489
      Cost: Standard $220.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use a structured approach to counselling to determine, establish and confirm the nature of the counsellor client relationship according to the agency's counselling model. This unit applies to individuals whose job role involves working with clients on personal and psychological issues within established policies, procedures and guidelines.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCADV005   Provide systems advocacy services
    • CIT Code: WELF457
      Cost: Standard $126.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to advocate and ensure that government, community and organisational systems broadly support and uphold human rights. This unit applies to workers in a health, community services or advocacy settings who undertake a leadership role in influencing social and system changes. Workers at this level will also advocate for change and continuous improvement at the organisational level to improve client outcomes and service quality.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCCCS019   Recognise and respond to crisis situations
    • CIT Code: WELF464
      Cost: Standard $99.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to recognise situations where people may be in imminent crisis, and then to work collaboratively to minimise any safety concerns and make plans to access required support services. This unit applies to any community services worker involved in crisis intervention. Management of the crisis may involve face-to-face, telephone or remote contact with persons involved.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCAOD007   Develop strategies for alcohol and other drugs relapse prevention and management
    • CIT Code: WELF472
      Cost: Standard $121.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work collaboratively with clients to develop strategies for preventing and managing relapse, should it occur, as well as ways to deal effectively with potentially harmful behaviour. This unit applies to workers who develop strategies with, and for, clients with alcohol and other drugs (AOD) issues within established organisation guidelines.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCAOD008   Provide advanced interventions to meet the needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
    • CIT Code: WELF461
      Cost: Standard $198.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to design, implement and monitor ongoing therapeutic interventions drawing on evidence informed models and techniques. It involves holistic consideration of all client needs, and collaboration with other services. This unit applies to individuals who work with significant autonomy in the provision of interventions and support to clients with alcohol and other drugs (AOD) issues. While work is carried out in the context of an existing treatment plan, the worker may also design and adapt specific strategies.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCMHS005   Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
    • CIT Code: HUSE489
      Cost: Standard $198.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess capacity to support people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues and to work collaboratively to provide support and facilitate links to other services. This unit applies to work with people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs (AOD) assessments in a range of community services work contexts.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCYTH012   Manage service response to young people in crisis
    • CIT Code: HUSE469
      Cost: Standard $331.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop an agency approach to young people in crisis. This unit applies to community services work in a range of contexts.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCPRT001   Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
    • CIT Code: CHIL300
      Cost: Standard $88.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to support and protect children and young people who are at risk of harm. This work occurs within legislative and policy frameworks and carries a duty of care responsibility. This unit applies to workers in a range of job roles providing services to children and young people including in community services and health contexts.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCCSM005   Develop, facilitate and review all aspects of case management
    • CIT Code: HUSE482
      Cost: Standard $165.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to undertake case management meetings to plan, monitor and review service provision. Workers at this level work autonomously and are responsible for own outputs within organisation guidelines. This unit applies to work in a range of health and community services contexts.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCCSM004   Coordinate complex case requirements
    • CIT Code: WELF466
      Cost: Standard $165.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to coordinate multiple service requirements for clients with complex needs within a case management framework. Workers at this level work under supervision within established guidelines but take on a team leadership role in the coordination of services and service providers.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCMHS013   Implement trauma informed care
    • CIT Code: WELF483
      Cost: Standard $176.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish, implement and evaluate collaborative practice. This unit applies to health and community service practitioners who may collaborate on the delivery of services to individual clients, groups of clients, communities or sub-populations. They may work individually with shared clients, together with individual clients or work on projects or programs that address the needs of groups or sub-populations. Work is self-directed.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCDEV001   Confirm client developmental status
    • CIT Code: WELF440
      Cost: Standard $130.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to review the developmental status of a client. Note that the client may be a child or a young person. Work at this level may require guidance and/or supervision from appropriately qualified personnel, especially where provision of direct client services is involved. This unit applies to people working in a range of community service contexts including: juvenile justice, alcohol and other drugs services, mental health, and child protection.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCAOD004   Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
    • CIT Code: WELF459
      Cost: Standard $298.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare for and conduct assessments of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) clients to determine eligibility, service requirements and referral needs. This includes knowledge of factors affecting assessment for a range of different client groups including different genders, youth, older people, mandated and voluntary clients, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. This unit applies to people involved in the assessment of clients with AOD issues using established organisation or jurisdictional AOD assessment tools.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCPRP004   Promote and represent the service
    • CIT Code: WELF503
      Cost: Standard $200.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to promote and represent the organisation to the community, including developing responses to negative publicity and perception. The unit applies to work in all industry sectors, and to individuals who work with significant autonomy, most likely in management roles. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCCSL003   Facilitate the counselling relationship and process
    • CIT Code: WELF504
      Cost: Standard $270.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge to support clients to identify and work though concerns, and to manage the overall counselling process to its conclusion. This unit applies to individuals whose job role involves working with clients on personal and psychological issues within established policies, procedures and guidelines. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand Standards and industry codes of practice.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCDIV002   Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
    • CIT Code: YURA101
      Cost: Standard $55.00
      Description: The unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety issues in the workplace, model cultural safety in own work practice, and develop strategies to enhance cultural safety. This unit applies to people working in a broad range of roles including those involved in direct client service, program planning, development and evaluation contexts.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCPOL003   Research and apply evidence to practice
    • CIT Code: HUSE504
      Cost: Standard $143.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish the information need, gather information and critically analyse the information for relevance to own work. This unit applies to health and community service workers who need to research existing information to support and improve their work practice. It does not cover primary research.
      Prerequisites: Nil

Electives: Complete maximum of 2

  • CHCMHS010   Implement recovery oriented approaches to complexity
    • CIT Code: WELF480
      Cost: Standard $176.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and respond to issues of complexity when supporting people living with mental illness and their care networks. The unit is based on a strengths-based approach and acknowledges that complexity is not a characteristic of an individual. Complexity may be impacted by a range of interactions between the worker, the organisation and the environmental context. This unit applies to work with people living with mental illness in a range of community services work contexts.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCYTH008   Support young people to take collective action
    • CIT Code: HUSE465
      Cost: Standard $121.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to enable young people to participate in the decision-making that affects their lives. This unit applies to youth work where the primary concern is to support groups of young people in taking action to meet their needs or responding to community issues.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCYTH009   Support youth programs
    • CIT Code: HUSE466
      Cost: Standard $331.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to devise, set up, coordinate, deliver and evaluate activities and programs for individuals and groups. This unit applies to community services work in a range of contexts.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCMHS012   Provide support to develop wellness plans and advanced directives
    • CIT Code: WELF482
      Cost: Standard $176.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to support a person living with mental illness to develop recovery wellness plans and advanced directives. These plans outline the person's preferences and plans to maintain wellness and to direct actions and support strategies should they become unwell. This unit applies to work with people with mental illness in a range of community services work contexts. Use of the term 'advanced directive' may vary between states and territories. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCCSM008   Undertake advanced client assessment
    • CIT Code: WELF491
      Cost: Standard $198.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to undertake initial and ongoing client assessments, to determine eligibility, priority and need for services as part of a case management process or as part of an assessment service. Workers at this level will demonstrate autonomy, well-developed judgement, adaptability and responsibility and are typically already experienced in working intensively with clients requiring support. This unit applies to work in a range of health and community service contexts.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCDIV001   Work with diverse people
    • CIT Code: CLTS145
      Cost: Standard $56.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work respectfully with people from diverse social and cultural groups and situations, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. This unit applies to all workers.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCADV001   Facilitate the interests and rights of clients
    • CIT Code: HUSE491
      Cost: Standard $220.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assist clients to identify their rights, voice their needs and concerns and realise their interests, rights and needs. This unit applies to workers of all levels in a range of health or community services settings who provide services using a human rights based approach and have direct interaction with clients.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • HLTWHS003   Maintain work health and safety
    • CIT Code: WPHS102
      Cost: Standard $88.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to implement and monitor work health and safety (WHS) policies, procedures and work practices as part of a small work team. This unit applies to workers who have a key role in maintaining WHS in an organisation, including duty of care for other workers.
      Prerequisites: Nil

Related Courses

Certificate IV Community Services CHC42015

More Information

For more information about this course please contact CIT Student Services on (02) 6207 3188 or email infoline@cit.edu.au