Diploma of Community Services
CHC52021
Training provided by Angel Institute of Australia, RTO 22115.
Course Overview
The Diploma of Community Services offers comprehensive training in understanding and addressing individuals' challenges and circumstances. Through effective listening and counseling, you'll develop skills to support clients by creating both immediate and long-term solutions. This includes establishing support networks and formulating plans to overcome difficulties.
Furthermore, the diploma program equips you with the ability to assess clients' needs, connect them with suitable services, and oversee their progress while navigating setbacks. Practical experience in a real-life industry setting enhances your readiness for the workforce. You'll also gain expertise in managing legal and ethical frameworks, ensuring compliance, and advising fellow Community Service Workers.
This qualification encompasses 200 hours of workplace experience, providing practical skills for a seamless transition into employment. It reflects the role of community service workers responsible for person-centred service delivery and coordination. Operating within a defined scope under senior management guidance, you'll facilitate positive change for individuals and groups, potentially supervising peers and managing programs, thereby contributing to personal and societal well-being.
Please note you will not be studying through Fresh Futures Australia but Angel Institute of Education a Nationally Recognised Registered Training Organisation.
Course Essentials
Qualification Code: CHC52021
Recognition: Nationally recognised - meets Australian Qualifications Framework.
Study: Full-Time Study
Study mode: Real Time Virtual Classroom
Class time: 9.30am to 2.30pm
Duration: 15 months
Homework: 5hrs of research, article reading & assessment work per week.
Assessment: Knowledge evidence, direct demonstration and observation, portfolios, projects, role plays, case studies and presentations.
Practical Placement Hours: 200 hours (Minimum)
Admin Fee: $0
Tuition Fee if eligible for Government funding: $0
This course follows a Real Time Virtual Classroom delivery format. This entails that every week, you will have a designated day for studying via Microsoft Teams, where you'll engage with both your instructor and fellow students. These weekly sessions are thoughtfully scheduled to provide a balanced blend of hands-on practical learning and theoretical content, accommodating a diverse range of learning preferences.
Throughout your studies, you will be required to complete your research, assessments as well as accessing your emails using a desktop/laptop/mobile device with internet availability.
Requirements
Interested in this course? Here's what you need to know before diving in:
Education: No need to fret about formal education requirements to study this course! We're more interested in your enthusiasm to learn.
Minimum Age: This course is only open to those aged 18 and above.
Language, Literacy and Numeracy: Angel Institute of Education want to make sure this course is the perfect fit for you, so they’ll assess your language, literacy, and numeracy skills before enrolment.
Enrolment Application & Pre-Training Review: Ready to take the first step with Angel Institute of Education? You can enrol and do your pre-training review face-to-face by attending one of their onsite Information Sessions or online via Microsoft Teams. Easy peasy!
Equipment: You'll need a trusty desktop computer or laptop with internet connectivity to complete research, course assessments, and to check your emails from Angel Institute of Education.
Police Check and Working With Children's Check: Safety is a top priority, which is why these checks are needed before you can start your practical placement. Let's make sure everyone feels secure and comfortable.
Why It’s Never Too Late to Go Back to School
We completely understand that the decision to return to school can seem daunting. Maybe it’s been years since you last studied, or you’re worried about juggling study alongside work, family and life’s responsibilities. Despite the unique challenges that may accompany studying as a mature-aged student, you’ll be well-equipped with the life experience and learning mindset to set your educational experience apart, for the better, from that of the typical, traditional adolescent:
​
-
The vast majority of our students are anywhere from their late thirties to early sixties, from all walks of life. You can rest assured that you’ll be in the good company of other likeminded individuals, having also taken the initiative to return to school - just like yourself.
-
The nature of the courses offered by our partner RTO’s mean the experiences and perspectives of an older adult lend themselves well to succeeding in that profession. Similarly, you’ll already have ingrained a diverse range of soft skills that are paramount to being an effective learner.
-
Pursuing higher education is not an assumed decision for matureaged students, like it tends to be for young adults. You may have children or family to provide for, in addition to financially supporting your own studies. Choosing to advance your education, given these factors, can result in even greater selffulfilment and gratification.
​
Investing in yourself is one of the best decisions you can ever make; and here at Fresh Futures, we’re committed to helping you through the process.
Potential job titles:
Typical employers of community workers:
-
Community Care Manager
-
Coordinator of Volunteer Work
-
Team Leader
-
Care Team Leader
-
Family Services Coordinator
-
Support Facilitator (Community Services)
-
Community Program Coordinator
-
Pastoral Care Worker
-
Assistant Community Services Worker
-
Organisations concerned with particular groups (women, travellers, new communities)
-
Organisations concerned with issues (unemployment, migrant rights, drugs, poverty)
-
Community development groups
-
Outreach & homeless facilities, houses, kitchens
-
Welfare agencies
-
Private businesses
-
Adult service units
-
Government institutions
-
Community Engagement Committees
-
Aged Care facilities
-
Councils
-
Community Corrections Offices
-
The Salvation Army
-
Community Libraries
-
Education Departments
-
PCYC
-
State Emergency Service (SES)
-
Triple Zero Emergency Call-Takers
-
Police Academy (This course is not an entry requirement)
Responsibilities
As a community worker, your daily tasks may involve:
-
Evaluating clients' requirements and creating, formulating, and executing support programs.
-
Conducting client interviews and evaluating the nature and scope of challenges they face.
-
Tracking and documenting client advancements and outcomes.
-
Directing clients towards relevant agencies for supplementary assistance.
-
Assessing community necessities and available resources spanning health, welfare, housing, employment, and training facilities.
-
Cooperating with community entities, welfare organisations, governmental bodies, and private enterprises to address community concerns and heighten awareness of resources.
-
Providing aid to families and extending care to children and individuals with disabilities within adult service units, group homes, and government institutions.
-
Overseeing individuals under probation or parole as part of offender supervision.
-
Assisting youth in resolving emotional, social, and financial predicaments.
-
Compiling funding and resource proposals, and submitting reports to government entities and external organisations.
Skills and Interests
When considering personal attributes for a community worker role, it's important to possess:
-
Strong communication and attentive listening abilities.
-
Proficiency in establishing and nurturing relationships based on trust and respect.
-
Demonstrated initiative, enthusiasm, and self-motivation.
-
The application of tact, sensitivity, patience, and resilience.
-
Effective organisational and planning skills.
-
Proficient negotiation capabilities.
-
The skill to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
-
Networking proficiency, coupled with adept negotiation skills.
-
Patience and perseverance to handle challenges and setbacks.
-
An open-minded, non-judgmental attitude, along with initiative and motivation.
-
Innovative problem-solving approaches.
-
A solid grasp of social and community concerns.
-
Aptitude in research, statistical analysis, and report writing.
-
A steadfast commitment to promoting equality and diversity.
What you'll learn
During your course, you will gain insight into various essential areas, including:
-
Comprehensive case management strategies.
-
Proficient planning and execution of group-oriented initiatives.
-
Delivering effective advocacy and representation services.
-
Understanding and applying principles of recovery-oriented practice.
-
Mastering communication techniques to foster and sustain relationships.
-
Providing support to individuals dealing with co-existing mental health challenges.
-
Skill-fully assessing, promoting, and reviewing emotional and physical well-being.
-
Active encouragement of community engagement and social inclusion.
-
Tailoring individualised support solutions to meet diverse needs.
-
Cultivating skills in collaborative problem-solving.
-
Ethical decision-making within the context of community services.
-
Cultural competence and sensitivity in service provision.
-
Applying legal and ethical frameworks to practice.
-
Engaging in critical analysis and reflection for continuous improvement.
-
Utilising research and data to inform service enhancements.
-
Navigating crisis intervention and conflict resolution.
-
Ensuring privacy and confidentiality in client interactions.
Course Units
To successfully complete CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services you must complete the following units of competency.
CHCCCS004 Assess co-existing needs (Core)
CHCCCS007 Develop and implement service programs (Core)
CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations (Core)
CHCCSM013 Facilitate and review case management (Core)
CHCDEV005 Analyse impacts of sociological factors on people in community work and services (Core)
CHCDFV001 Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence (Core)
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people (Core)
CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait islander cultural safety (Core)
CHCLEG003 Manage legal and ethical compliance (Core)
CHCMGT005 Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes (Core)
CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice (Core)
HLTWHS003 Maintain work health and safety (Core)
CHCADV002 Provide advocacy and representation services (Elective)
CHCCCS003 Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide (Elective)
CHCCOM003 Develop workplace communication strategies (Elective)
CHCDIV003 Manage and promote diversity (Elective)
CHCCSM014 Provide case management supervision (Elective)
CHCCCS009 Facilitate responsible behaviour (Elective)
HLTWHS004 Manage work health and safety (Elective)
CHCCSL001 Establish and confirm the counselling relationship (Elective)
Assessment
Unlocking your potential has never been more thrilling! Assessment is a crucial element in your learning journey, paving the way to attaining a nationally recognised qualification. Get ready to showcase your skills and knowledge through assessment methods such as presentations, hands-on demonstrations, immersive role plays, and engaging case studies. Your learning will propel you towards achieving your educational goals with confidence!
Trainer Support
Angel Institute of Education take pride in their top-notch trainers! They're hand-picked for their industry expertise and teaching skills. In every class session, your trainer will draw upon their own wealth of industry experience to foster a dynamic, fulfilling and engaging learning environment. With their passion for teaching, you'll be guided towards success by a dedicated training organisation who is committed to making your learning journey truly enjoyable. Get ready to thrive under their guidance and unlock your full potential!
Practical Placement Hours
Gain hands-on experience! Exciting placement opportunities await you during placement in a relevant community service delivery setting which involves for example, direct client work, community education or community development. You'll dive into the field by undertaking a minimum of 200 hours of practical placement working under supervision with clients.
If you're already working in a relevant community service sector, you may be able to use your workplace for placement with approval from Angel Institute of Education.
Further Study
Graduates of CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services may wish to further their studies and expand their employment opportunities by enrolling in the following courses:
• CHC62015 Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management
• Bachelor of Health and Community Services
• Bachelor of Social Work
• Bachelor of Social Sciences
Working with Children's Check & Police Check
These checks are compulsory to gain in order to commence your work placement. It is recommended that you start to apply for these closer to your work placement commencement so they are relevant.
The Working with Children Check assists in protecting children from sexual or physical harm by ensuring that people who work with, or care for them are subject to a screening process. If you are doing or intending to do child-related work and do not qualify for an exemption, you need a Check. Visit me for more information.
Children's Check: Approximately $130
Volunteer Card: Free
The Victoria Police provides a service to all Victorians who wish to obtain a National Police Certificate for employment, voluntary work and occupation-related licensing or registration purposes. Information about an individual's criminal history will not be released without an applicant's written consent other than for law enforcement purposes. Visit me for more information.
Police Check (Volunteer/Student Placement): Approximately $20
*Prices are subject to change without warning.
Skills First Funding & Eligibility Criteria
Skills First is a Victorian Government scheme that helps people access subsidised vocational education and training. If you are eligible, the government will contribute to the cost of your course tuition fees.
Eligibility criteria for Skills First government-subsidised training
Citizenship/Residency
You must be:
1. an Australian citizen, or
2. a New Zealand citizen, or
3. a Permanent Resident, or
4. an Asylum Seeker - you are exempt from the citizenship/permanent residence eligibility criteria if:
a) you have been referred to training via the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre or the Australian Red Cross Victims of Human Trafficking Program and have a ‘Referral to Government Subsidised Training – Asylum Seekers’ form; or
b) you hold, or if you are the dependant of an individual who holds a valid humanitarian, protection or refugee visa (see list below); or
- Global Special Humanitarian (subclass 202)
- Humanitarian (Temporary) (subclass 449)
- Protection visa (subclass 866)
- Refugee visa 200 Refugee
- Refugee visa 201 In-country Special Humanitarian
- Refugee visa 203 Emergency Rescue
- Refugee visa 204 Woman at Risk
- Resolution of Status visa (subclass 851)
- Safe Haven Enterprise visa (subclass 790)
- Temporary Humanitarian Concern (subclass 786)
- Temporary Protection visa (subclass 785)
c) you hold a bridging visa and have lodged an application for (or if you are the dependant of that individual):
- a humanitarian, protection or refugee visa; or
- under s.417 or s.48b of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) which is yet to be determined and the visa states that the visa holder
d) has study rights, and work rights if the course you are enrolling in has placement.
Note: the above list of Visa’s is a general but incomplete list of refugee and humanitarian visas. If you’re unsure about your visa type, you need to contact the Department of Home Affairs.
VIC Government funding eligibility rules – what’s changed?
1. Your prior education is no longer taken into consideration!
Now you can enrol and study any qualification at Angel Institute of Education with government funding, regardless of what level of education you’ve completed in the past. This applies to all students who meet the citizenship/ residency requirements.
Prior to this change, you had to ‘upskill’ to get government funding.. but now you don’t.
2. Removal of ‘2 at level in a lifetime’ limit!
You can study more than 2 courses that are at the same qualification level with government funding! Prior to 1 January 2023, you could only study 2 of the same level qualifications with government funding in your lifetime.. but now you don’t.
3. What hasn’t changed?
You can still only be studying no more than 2 government funded qualifications at any one point in time. This is known as the ‘2 in a year’ limit.
Course Fees & Payment Plans
If you are eligible your fees are:
$0 Administration Fee + $0 Tuition Fee.
​
If you do not meet the Funding Eligibility Criteria you can still undertake the course as a Fee For Service Student, your Fee is:
$7,900.
​
Payment plans are available to Full Fee Paying Students. 12 monthly instalments of $658.33 each. These can be discussed with the RTO directly.
Centrelink
Please note that some Centrelink Payments may be affected by undertaking study. We strongly advise you speak to your Centrelink Coordinator to see if you are affected. Fresh Futures Australia accepts no responsibility or liability for affected payments.
Meet your Registered Training Organisation (RTO)
Angel Institution of Education is a Registered Training Organisation specialising in hairdressing, childcare, individual support and English as an Additional Language courses. Their primary aim is to provide quality educational services to guide students towards the path of success.
​
Their training programs are aligned with skills first program objectives in enabling students to obtain the required skills to make them job-ready, assist individuals to undertake further education and enabling access to training for disadvantaged learners. All their training programs are aligned to provide training services in the best interests of students.
​
Students are taught to be creative in their learning and innovative in their practices so they stand out amongst the rest. Their classes are small, and their course delivery is structured and tailored to meet student needs. Their standards are set high so students graduate with the best possible skills and experience to help them employment and longevity in their desired industry.
They aim to provide personal attention to every student, maintain a realistic student to teacher ratio and interview prospective students to ensure that they have a healthy mix of dedicated students who are serious about wanting to learn and excel at their new craft.
Enrolment Process
1. Fill out our Student Questionnaire
The Student Questionnaire is designed for me to get to know you a little better before I pass your details over to the RTO conducting the course. This doesn't guarantee your acceptance into the RTO nor is it a part of the enrolment paperwork.
​
2. Speak to one of our Student Liaison Coordinators
Once you have completed your Student Questionnaire, one of our Student Liaison Coordinators will give you a courtesy call to:
- Further discuss your eligibility.
- Ensure you have read over the study details.
- Speak further about your career goals and suitability for the course.
- Give you additional information and answer any further questions you may have.
​
If you decide that you would like to proceed with the application process after speaking with one of our Student Liaison Coordinators then we will invite you to an Information Session.
​
3. Information Session
This Information Session is your opportunity to speak to Angel Institution of Education's friendly team and listen to valuable information about the course, complete your application form and enrol. To complete the enrolment forms, you will need the following:
- Unique Student Identifier (USI) - Create your USI here.
- Victorian Student Number (VSN) - Only required for students who have attended a Victorian school since 2009
- Evidence of Citizenship/Residency and Age such as Drivers Licence and Medicare Card.
Please have these documents with you during the information session. Completion of the Enrolment Application Form does not guarantee enrolment. A Stirling Institute of Australia Authorised Delegate will review your form and determine the progression of enrolment.
​
What will be covered
- General information about Angel Institution of Education, industry areas and delivery locations
- Vocational Education & Training, learning pathways, course choice and industry based trainers
- Student Support
- Entry requirements, LLN Quiz, funding eligibility
- Course details, expected hours of study, student handbook, refund policy
- Practical placement (WWCC & Police Records Check)
- Fees and payment options
- The enrolment session – you can enrol on the day
- Your suitability for the course
​
4. First day of class
Please note that the Information Session is compulsory for you to complete before your first day of class. If you miss your Information Session this may delay your course commencement date. All of your First Day details will be confirmed during the Information Session and reminders will be emailed and SMS to you.
In an effort to keep classes commencing on time, we need a little help from you. If you choose to submit your Student Questionnaire, we at Fresh Futures Australia take that as a sign you'd like to continue along the path of enrolment. If you are a little unsure then please ask away by filling the form at the bottom of the page with any further questions you may have.
In order for classes to commence, we need 15+ students. This allows a healthy classroom environment for everyone. If we are trying to give you a call and you see a missed call, voicemail or text message from us or the RTO please be courteous and give us a callback, even if it's just a notification that you are no longer interested. Our feelings won't be hurt.
We look forward to receiving your Student Questionnaire and speaking to you further about your career path.