Do you want to make a real impact on the lives of vulnerable people? Do you have a passion for helping others? Do you want to make a difference?
Our Diploma of Community Services is your path to a rewarding and fulfilling career in community services. Your knowledge and skills will equip you to support, empower, inspire and advocate for individuals and communities to improve their wellbeing. Your specialist expertise will enable you to design, manage and deliver community support programs addressing diverse and complex needs in family welfare, community health, employment services, disability services and more.
You will learn from experienced practitioners who will support you at every stage of your learning.
You will be able to work at your own pace, in a flexible blended learning environment that allows you to balance your studies with your other commitments.
Our knowledge, experience and reputation will ensure you graduate ready to secure employment in this important field.
Learning ModeBlended Learning
LocationSA
Face to face days28
Weekly study hours10-15
Duration12 months
Learning Outcomes
This course will give you the skills and knowledge to work effectively in community services delivery and management roles. You will be able to:
- assess the needs of individuals and groups, and connect them with appropriate services, support systems and networks
- develop and implement effective community services programs
- advocate for the interests and rights of clients and community groups
- recognise and respond appropriately to crisis situations, and to evidence of family violence, mental health issues and child harm
- work effectively within a case management framework
- build effective professional relationships and networks
- navigate and manage legal and ethical compliance frameworks, policies and procedures
- supervise other workers and volunteers
- ensure safe work practices
- reflect on and improve your own professional practise.
Entry Requirements
To gain entry into the CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services, we recommend prospective students have sufficient relevant work experience to indicate likely success at this level in a job role involving:
- The self-directed application of knowledge with substantial depth in some areas
- The exercise of independent judgement and decision-making
- The application of relevant technical and other skills
All applicants must undertake a suitability interview with the course coordinator.
All applicants will be assessed for suitability to the qualification. Each applicant is required to undertake an online language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) assessment. The online LLN tool is designed to assess your Language, Literacy (understanding how to use reading, writing, listening and speaking for a purpose and in context) and Numeracy skills.
This short test will give the Institute insight to the right level of study for you. After the test, you will have time to review the results and discuss enrolment with our Enrolments & Training Coordinator.
Employment Opportunities
Upon completion, students will be eligible to pursue community service careers involving direct client work with individuals, families, children and young people, supporting people to make positive changes in their lives, leading to improved personal and social well-being. Common job titles include:
The Federal Government estimates that the demand for welfare and community workers will be very strong over the next 5 years. See joboutlook.gov.au
Units of Study & Units of Competency
Unit of Study 1: Trauma-informed Practice: Safety, Trustworthiness, Choice, Collaboration, and Empowerment
Units of Competency:- CHCCCS004 Assess co-existing needs
- CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations
- CHCDFV001 Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence
- CHCMHS013 Implement trauma informed care
Unit of Study 2: Attending to Difference
Units of Competency:- CHCCCS007 Develop and implement service programs
- CHCDEV005 Analyse impacts of sociological factors on people in community work and services
- CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
- CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
Unit of Study 3: Trauma-informed Case Management
Units of Competency:- CHCCSM009 Facilitate goal directed planning
- CHCCSM010 Implement case management practice
- CHCCSM012 Coordinate complex case requirements
- CHCCSM013 Facilitate and review case management
Unit of Study 4: Centring Children and Young People in Case Management Work
Units of Competency:- CHCCSM015 Undertake case management in a child protection framework
- CHCPRT025 Identify and report children and young people at risk
- CHCPRT026 Support the rights and safety of children and young people
- CHCPRT034 Work with children and young people with complex trauma and attachment issues and needs
Unit of Study 5: The Personal and Professional in Case Management
Units of Competency:- CHCLEG003 Manage legal and ethical compliance
- CHCMGT005 Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes
- CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve professional practice
- HLTWHS003 Maintain work health and safety
Duration and Delivery Mode
12 Months Full-Time.
Blended learning: mix of online learning and face-to-face classroom sessions.
Please see 2024 Delivery Schedule for dates of all Modules and face-to-face sessions.
This program includes 28 face to face classroom contact days. This program is equivalent to 10 to 15 hours of study per week. Students will be required to undertake self-directed online learning outside of classroom delivery.
Timetable
Location
The course is a mix of online learning and face-to-face classroom sessions. Face-to-face classroom sessions are delivered in Adelaide (Hindmarsh).
This program includes 28 face to face classroom contact days. Students will be required to undertake self-directed online learning outside of classroom delivery.
Please see 2024 Delivery Schedule for dates of all Modules and face-to-face sessions.
Work Placement Requirements
To achieve this qualification, students must have completed at least 200 hours of work as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of units of competency.
- All placements must be approved by the Institute prior to commencement to ensure the required work-based learning and assessment can be completed.
- Wherever possible, a work placement within a program of Relationships Australia SA will be organised, but this is not guaranteed, and students need to seek placements at other organisations.
- Students on placement within RASA must meet the mandatory requirements for working with children checks, National police clearance, and COVID-19 vaccinations.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
RPL credit may be granted for relevant prior study.
Students seeking recognition for all or part of a qualification must complete the online AISR Recognition Application at least 14 days before the start of the course.
You can find out more about RPL here
Tuition Fee, Payment Options, Loans
Full fee: $6,500.
Gap fee (SA. Govt. Subsidy): $1,125. (total gap fee reduces to $1,125, if you are eligible for SA Government subsidy).
Gap fee (Concession): $770. (total gap fee reduces to $770, if you are eligible for SA Government subsidies with valid Health Care, Pensioner or Veteran Affairs concession cards only).
This course is subsidised through the Australian and South Australian Government. Eligibility and subsidy criteria apply. To check your eligibility visit www.skills.sa.gov.au.
See our Schedule of Fees for key dates and payment options.
All enquiries regarding tuition fees and payment schedules should be directed to admin@aisr.edu.au.
Qualification Information Brochure
