Certificate IV in Community Services Work

Course overview

This qualification is for people who want to work in community based organisations, residential rehabilitation and outreach services to provide a range of services, interventions and community education to clients. you
will learn how to design and deliver programs that aim to enhance the well being of individuals and groups.

ENROLLING IN FIRST AID UNITS OF COMPETENCY

If you are seeking to enrol in a First Aid unit of competency such as HLTFA301B Apply first aid, you are advised that to complete the unit you must be able to perform basic life support skills, for example control bleeding and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). If you have a disability that would prevent you from performing required basic life support skills you are advised that you will not be able to achieve the unit of competency.

REQUIREMENTS AND ADVICE FOR STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN WORK PLACEMENT

Some or all of the following advice will apply to you, depending on your course and the type of organisation where you will be undertaking work placement.

NSW HEALTH WORK PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS AND ADVICE

National Criminal Record Check Before you undertake clinical work placement in a NSW Health facility you will be required to undertake a Criminal Record Check (CRC) to obtain a National Police Certificate, either through a state or territory police service or through the Australian Federal Police. If you have any criminal records, you will be subject to a risk assessment and must obtain an authority to undertake clinical placements from the Department of Health, Corporate Governance and Risk Management Branch.

You will only be exempt from undertaking a CRC if you are under 18 years of age at the commencement of your course.

NSW Health Student Undertaking

In addition, you will be required to sign the NSW Health Student Undertaking, agreeing to notify NSW Health if you are charged or convicted of any criminal offence after the date of issue of your National Police Certificate or during the completion of your course.

Volunteer/Student Declaration

Before commencing each clinical work placement in a NSW Health facility you will be required to sign and provide a NSW Commission for Children and Young People Volunteer/Student Declaration. This form declares that you are not prohibited from working with children and young people.

Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Infectious Disease NSW Health also requires students to undertake Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Infectious Diseases. Before commencing work placement you will have to provide NSW Health with your Health Care Worker/Student Vaccination Record Card.

Please note that these requirements may take several months to complete and you will be required to pay for your Criminal Record Check screening and any necessary immunisations.

NSW Health Code of Conduct Finally, before you undertake clinical work placement in a NSW Health facility, you will be given the NSW Health Code of Conduct and be required to sign a form stating that you have read and understood it.

For more information visit the NSW Health website at: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/ and type 'clinical placement' in search area.

AGED CARE WORK PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS AND ADVICE

National Criminal Record Check

Before you undertake a work placement in a federally funded Aged Care Facility (or NSW Health facility) you will be required to undertake a Criminal Record Check (CRC) to obtain a National Police Certificate, either through a state or territory police service or through the Australian Federal Police.

Anyone whose Police Certificate shows that they have been convicted of murder or sexual assault, or convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for any other form of assault, is not permitted to work within an aged care service if they are reasonably likely to have access to care recipients. For all other types of convictions and work roles, it is up to approved providers to determine whether the individual is suitable to be hired or to continue in their current roles.

Students will only be exempt from undertaking a CRC if they are under the age of 16 or full-time students under the age of 18 years.

Please note that these requirements may take several months to complete and you will be required to pay for your Criminal Record Check screening and any necessary immunisations.

For more information visit the Department of Health and Ageing website at: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/Home

COMMUNITY AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES WORK PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS AND ADVICE

Volunteer/Student Declaration

Before commencing each work placement where you will come into contact with children, you will be required to sign and provide a NSW Commission for Children and Young People Volunteer/Student Declaration. This form declares that you are not prohibited from working with children and young people.

NSW Working with Children Check

Depending on the organisation's work placement policy and procedures, you may also be required to complete a NSW Working with Children Check.

For more information visit the NSW Commission for Children and Young People website at: http://www.kids.nsw.gov.au/

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES IN WORK PLACEMENT

To help you understand your responsibilities in the workplace, you will be given a Student Code of Conduct which indicates expected standards of behaviour in the workplace. Students who have committed a breach of discipline or who are assessed as presenting a significant risk to themselves or others during work placement may be prevented from undertaking or continuing work placement. This may mean they will not complete the course. If you require any further information talk to your teacher.

STUDENT READINESS FOR WORK PLACEMENT

Generally, work placements will only occur after there has been a reasonable amount of student/teacher contact. Wherever possible, an assessment event will be undertaken by students to determine work placement readiness. Based on the evidence provided, the teacher will form a judgement as to the student's readiness to benefit from workplace learning and perform workplace duties with:

the required level of expertise

due regard to ethical conduct

avoidance of behaviour posing an unacceptable level of risk to themselves, workplace employer/employees or clients/customers, including those in vulnerable circumstances.

If you require any further information about any work placement requirements, talk to your teacher.

Student Responsibilities in Work Placement

In many TAFE NSW courses, some of the learning and assessment occurs in the workplace or a simulated workplace. A simulated workplace is very similar to a real workplace and may have clients, but is usually within a TAFE NSW campus.

TAFE NSW has a responsibility to protect members of the public (and the students themselves) from being harmed by students taking part in workplace or simulated workplace learning. If there is evidence that your skills or behaviour could present a risk to yourself or other people in the workplace, you may not be allowed to participate in a work placement, at least for a period of time.

To help you understand your responsibilities in the workplace, you will be given a code of practice which indicates expected standards of behaviour. Your teacher will explain to you and your workplace supervisor the range of duties for which you have the skills and knowledge. You must not carry out duties other than those indicated by your teacher.

You need to take particular care if workplace clients are people who may be in vulnerable circumstances - for example, people who are frail, children, young people, people with a disability or people who are receiving a type of service which may put them in vulnerable circumstances (for example, massage therapy or nursing care).

A NSW Commission for Children and Young People Volunteer/Student Declaration must be signed by students in courses where contact will be made with children and young people. This form declares that the student is not prohibited from working with children and young people. In some circumstances students may be required to undertake a criminal records check or a Working with Children Check. Your teacher will give you more information about this.

Students who have committed a breach of discipline or who are assessed as presenting a significant risk to themselves or others during work placement may be prevented from undertaking or continuing further work placement. This may mean they will not complete the course.

Your teacher or an enrolling officer can provide you with more information about this policy. If you are unsure about whether it may prevent you from completing a course you could discuss the matter with a staff member of TAFE NSW Counselling and Career Services.

course structure

The course structure below shows what you must do to complete this course. units/modules are arranged in groups and sometimes also in subgroups.

You must complete each group as specified as well as following the course completion instructions. If a course contains optional groups there will be a statement at the top of the course indicating how many you must do. At the top of any group containing optional subgroups there will be a statement saying how many you must do.

Course contents

A total of 14 units must be completed - 9 core units plus 5 elective units.

CORE UNITS

All 9 module/units must be completed.

Modules/Units	Name
CHCCD412A	Work within a community development framework
CHCCHILD401A	Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
CHCCOM403A	Use targeted communication skills to build relationships
CHCCS400A	Work within a relevant legal and ethical framework
CHCCS411A	Work effectively in the community sector
CHCCS412D	Deliver and develop client services
CHCCS422A	Respond holistically to client issues and refer appropriately
CHCORG405C	Maintain an effective work environment
HLTHIR403B	Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers

ELECTIVES UNITS

At least 5 module/units must be completed

Modules/Units	Name
HLTHIR404D	Work effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
BSBWOR204A	Use business technology
CHCAD401D	Advocate for clients
CHCAD402D	Support the interests, rights and needs of clients within duty of care requirements
CHCADMIN305E	Work within the administration protocols of the organisation
CHCADMIN403D	Undertake administrative work
CHCAOD402B	Work effectively in the alcohol and other drugs sector
CHCAOD408A	Assess needs of clients with alcohol and/or other drugs issues
CHCAOD409D	Provide alcohol and/or other drug withdrawal services
CHCCD307C	Support community resources
CHCCD401D	Support community participation
CHCCD404D	Develop and implement community programs
CHCCD413D	Work within specific communities
CHCCD420A	Work to empower Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities
CHCCED311A	Provide sexual and reproductive health information to clients
CHCCED511A	Develop, implement and review sexual and reproductive health education programs
CHCCH301B	Work effectively in social housing
CHCCH410A	Manage and maintain tenancy agreements and services
CHCCH427A	Work effectively with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness
CHCCHILD404A	Support the rights and safety of children and young people
CHCCM401D	Undertake case management
CHCCM402D	Establish and monitor a case plan
CHCCM404A	Undertake case management for clients with complex needs
CHCCM503C	Develop, facilitate and monitor all aspects of case management
CHCCS401B	Facilitate responsible behaviour
CHCCS403B	Provide brief intervention
CHCCS407B	Operate referral procedures
CHCCS414A	Provide education and support on parenting, health and well being
CHCCS416A	Assess and provide services for clients with complex needs
CHCCS417A	Provide support and care relating to suicide bereavement
CHCCS421A	Undertake community sector work within own community
CHCCS426A	Provide support and care relating to loss and grief
CHCCS427A	Facilitate adult learning and development
CHCCS503A	Develop, implement and review services and programs to meet client needs
CHCCS506A	Promote and respond to workplace diversity
CHCCS521A	Assess and respond to individuals at risk of suicide
CHCCS604A	Manage the delivery of quality services to clients
CHCDFV301A	Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence
CHCDIS301B	Work effectively with people with a disability
CHCDIS410A	Facilitate community participation and inclusion
CHCGROUP403D	Plan and conduct group activities
CHCINF407D	Meet information needs of the community
CHCLLN403A	Identify clients with language, literacy and numeracy needs and respond effectively
CHCMH402A	Apply understanding of mental health issues and recovery processes
CHCMH411A	Work with people with mental health issues
CHCNET301D	Participate in networks
CHCNET404A	Facilitate links with other services
CHCORG406B	Supervise work
CHCORG423B	Maintain quality service delivery
CHCPOL402B	Contribute to policy development
CHCPOL403B	Undertake research activities
CHCPROM502B	Implement health promotion and community intervention
CHCPROT409D	Provide primary residential care
CHCPROT411C	Provide for care and protection of clients in specific need
CHCRF402B	Provide intervention support to children and families
CHCSW401A	Work effectively with forced migrants
CHCSW402A	Undertake bicultural work with forced migrants in Australia
CHCYTH301E	Work effectively with young people
CHCYTH402B	Work effectively with young people in the youth work context
CHCYTH404D	Support young people in crisis
CHCYTH511B	Work effectively with young people and their families
HLTCSD306C	Respond effectively to difficult or challenging behaviour
TAEDEL402A	Plan, organise and facilitate learning in the workplace

Career Opportunities

Occupational titles can include: Case worker, Community services worke, Community support worker, Domestic violence worker, Family support worker, Outreach officer, Support worker, Welfare support worker, Welfare worker.

Entry Requirements

NSW Higher School Certificate or equivalent, from another educational authority. NSW School Certificate or equivalent, from another educational authority, and relevant life and work experience.

Articulation

Upon completion of this qualification you will gain advanced standing into a number of units of competency in CHC08 Certificate III, IV, and Diploma qualifications.

Sub courses
Identify and Respond to Children and Young People at Risk	CHCCHILD401A
Work effectively in the community sector	CHCCS411A
Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers	HLTHIR403B
Work within a community development framework	CHCCD412A
Use targeted communication skills to build relationships	CHCCOM403A
Work within a relevant legal and ethical framework	CHCCS400A
Deliver and develop client services	CHCCS412D
Respond holistically to client issues and refer appropriately	CHCCS422A
Maintain an effective work environment	CHCORG405C