This course 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 courses 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:
The 2023 Semester 1 enrolment fees for this course are based on the costs per subject as indicated below. The total course 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:
$1904 Apprentice/Trainee $430
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
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.
This course 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.
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 course 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 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.
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.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide a first aid response to a casualty in line with first aid guidelines determined by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) and other Australian national peak clinical bodies. The unit applies to all persons who may be required to provide a first aid response in a range of situations, including community and workplace settings. Specific licensing/regulatory requirements relating to this competency, including requirements for refresher training should be obtained from the relevant national/state/territory Work Health and Safety Regulatory Authorities.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to maintain health and wellbeing by preventing and managing personal stress.
This unit applies to work in a range of health and community services settings, in particular work roles that operate in high stress situations and circumstances.
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.
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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