Overview

This qualification reflects the role of community services workers involved in the delivery, management and coordination of person-centred services to individuals, groups, and communities.

Outcome

At this level, workers have specialised skills in community services and work autonomously within their scope of practice under broad directions from senior management.

Workers support people to make change in their lives to improve personal and social wellbeing and may also have responsibility for the supervision of other workers and volunteers. They may also undertake case management and program coordination.

To achieve this qualification, the candidate must have completed at least 200 hours of work as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of units of competency. The skills in this qualification must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.

No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.

Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA) leads the development, identity, registration and recognition of the community work profession in Australia. Community workers are skilled practitioners who work in community services to facilitate the welfare and wellbeing of people and communities

Requirement

A learner must:

▪ Be at least 18 years of age.

▪ Have completed at least the equivalent of year 12 education.

▪ Participate in a course entry interview to determine suitability for the course and student needs.

▪ Participate in an LLN (Language, Literacy and Numeracy) assessment*, if applicable, to determine and demonstrate their readiness and learning capacity to undertake their desired course.

▪ Have an overall IELTS** score of 5.5 with no individual band score of less than 5.0 (test results must be not more than two (2) years old). English language competence can also be demonstrated through documented evidence of any of the following:

−         the student was educated in an English-speaking country for at least five (5) years; or

−         the student has completed at least six (6) months of a minimum of AQF level 4 course or higher in an Australian RTO within the      last two (2) years; or

−         the student has successfully completed an English Placement

Test at ACIC.

* For detail about LLN requirements and assessment process, please to the ‘LLN (Language, Literacy and Numeracy) Requirements’ section in International Student Handbook.

** Note that other English language tests such as PTE and TOEFL can be accepted. In that case, students are required to provide their results so that it can be confirmed they are equivalent to minimum IELTS score of 5.5 or higher

Assessment Method

Assessments may include short written knowledge tests, discussions and oral communication demonstrations, case study exercises, written reports, web-based research and reports, final projects, and final written exams. To perform at your best, you will probably need to work on the assessments outside of class time.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Students who have completed relevant studies or have some of the competencies in the course may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Application for RPL can be made with the initial application or can be made within two weeks of the course commencement using the RPL Application Form and by providing supporting documents. Please note that RPL cannot result in an international student having less than a full-time load of study (20 hours per week) but can reduce the overall duration of the course and fees. See our Student Handbook for more information.

Credit

Students may apply for recognition of existing qualifications or skills, knowledge and experience (credit transfer or recognition of prior learning). The granting of course credit may affect course fees, as well as the duration of the course.

This process is outlined in Australian City International College Student Enrolment and Completion Policy and Associated Procedures and Training and Assessment Policy & Associated Procedures.

Vocational Outcome

 Potential employment options are in a range of community services management roles such as:

• Community services worker
• Case manager
• Family support worker
• Client services manager
• Community development officer
• Service manager and/or program coordinator

Higher Education Pathway

Students who complete this course may wish to continue their education into CHC62015 Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management or higher education qualification at a Bachelor’s degree studies in community services, social work, and any relevant social science streams.