This program provides you with the skills and knowledge required to work autonomously as a support worker in mental health, under the broad guidance of a supervisor. You will be trained to provide a range of interventions to clients with mental health issues and implement health promotion within the community services context.
1 semester full-time after you have completed a Certificate III in Community Services (approx. 15 hours per week) OR part-time equivalent. This qualification is part of a suite of programs including a Certificate III and 2 Certificate IVs. Most CIT students will complete all 3 qualifications in 1 Year (CHC32015 Certificate III in Community Services, CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health and CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services). Alternatively, you can complete the Certificate IV in Mental Health in 2 semesters (full-time approx. 15 hours per week OR part-time equivalent.
Cost Info:
Cost Info:
The 2020 Semester 1 enrolment fees for this course are based on the costs per subject as indicated below. The total program cost may vary depending on the choice of elective subjects or if subjects are attempted more than once. Subject costs identified as Standard are partially subsidised by the ACT Government. Concessions may be available to eligible students.
Indicative Cost:
Indicative Cost:
$1,892 Apprentice/Trainee $430
Likely Job Outcome:
Likely Job Outcome:
Students who successfully complete this qualification seek employment in the sector in such occupations as: - Community rehabilitation and support worker - Mental health rehabilitation support worker - Community support worker - Mental health support worker - Mental health outreach worker
This course is offered under Skilled Capital. The initiative will give eligible participants the opportunity to complete a nationally recognised qualification and receive a completion payment from the Education Directorate. The completion payment is made upon successful completion of their skilled capital qualification which must be completed within two years of the commencement date.
This program has compulsory work placement (80 hours in total). CIT teachers co-ordinate placements. If you are currently working and you have extensive relevant experience, you may meet the placement requirement. 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.
Entry Requirements / How to Enrol
The preferred pathway is for all learners to complete a Certificate III in Community Services at CIT (CHC32015)
On entry, you will need to demonstrate appropriate literacy skills by undertaking a literacy assessment. We have embedded literacy into our program to support your learning and success.
Canberra Institute of Technology Diploma of Community Services
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 program of study, numeracy skills to successfully complete this program. 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 program. 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.
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.
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.
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.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to promote
the principles of recovery oriented practice, and to establish and
confirm self-directed recovery relationships with people with mental
illness. This unit applies to work with people living with a mental
illness in a range of community services work contexts.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work
collaboratively in providing services to implement a range of
strategies as part of recovery oriented service provision for people
with mental illness. This unit applies to work with people living with
mental illness in a range of community services work contexts.
This unit describes the skills knowledge required to work
collaboratively with the care network and other potential services for
a person with mental illness. This work provides a recovery oriented
practice approach, involving a variety of health and community service
professionals working collaboratively with the person and their care
network. This unit applies to work with people living with mental
illness in a range of community services work contexts.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify
and work within the legal and ethical frameworks that apply to an
individual job role. This unit applies to community services and
health workers who play a proactive role in identifying and meeting
their legal and ethical responsibilities.
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.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to practice
and contribute to the continuous improvement of trauma informed care
within a service. This unit applies to individuals working in the
community services and health sectors where services are informed by
the knowledge and understanding of central trauma, particularly the
impact of interpersonal violence.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to
encourage, support and promote self-advocacy. The promotion and
facilitation of self-advocacy contributes to a person's
self-determination, empowerment and right to make informed choices in
regard to all aspects of their life. This unit applies to work with
people living with mental illness in a range of community services
work contexts.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work
collaboratively with individuals to assess, promote and review all
aspects of wellbeing. This unit applies to work with people living
with mental illness in a range of community services work contexts.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required for workers
to participate in safe work practices to ensure their own health and
safety, and that of others. The unit applies to all workers who
require knowledge of workplace health and safety (WHS) to carry out
their own work, either under direct supervision or with some
individual responsibility.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge to apply specific
communication techniques to establish, build and maintain
relationships with clients, colleagues and other stakeholders based on
respect and trust. This unit applies to work across a range of
workplace contexts where workers at all levels may communicate with
individuals and/or groups both in person and in writing.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish
and work within the current context, philosophy and values of the
alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector. This unit applies to workers who
come into contact with clients affected by alcohol and other drugs.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess
the diverse and multi-faceted needs of people and determine both
internal and external services required to meet those needs. This unit
applies in a range of community service contexts.
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.
For more information about this course please contact CIT Student Services on (02) 6207 3188 or email infoline@cit.edu.au
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