CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services

You’ll be qualified to manage a range of responsibilities while supporting people who are disadvantaged and vulnerable. If you're driven to empower diverse communities, passionate about social justice and want to challenge the social structures that maintain disadvantage, then this qualification can help you achieve your goals.
 
Community Services workers empower and support disadvantaged and vulnerable people to achieve their goals. They provide housing, mental health, disability, multicultural, financial, youth, domestic and family violence support. Your experience and career goals will help determine your pathway.

Wondering if this industry will suit you?

We have created a very short course quiz to help you gain a little more understanding of what is required and whether you might enjoy a role in this industry. Take the quiz here.

Work placement/industry experience

Full Time Course Delivery: 210 hours of mandatory full-time work placement over a 6-8-week period is required in this course, organised by The Gordon and students are to be available 5 days a week. Note you may be required to travel outside your usual training location to attend placement, which may include other regional areas or suburbs of Melbourne. Placement is undertaken when all the theory components of the course are successfully completed, Prior to Work Placement, students must successfully complete the necessary theory units of the course and demonstrate readiness to work in the Community (i.e. communication, interpersonal skills, and professional behaviours). Part-Time Blended Course Delivery: Is designed for those who are working within the community services sector. The 210 hours of mandatory workplace activities will be undertaken within your community services organisation. Note: Your organisation, employment, and role must meet the work placement and The Gordon’s suitability criteria. Work place activities are undertaken at the completion of all the theory components of the course, and submitted and graded assessments deem the student competent in the completed units. If you are not working within the community services sector but believe you have the skill set to undertake the Part-Time blended course, or your organisation, employment, and role are unsuitable to undertake the mandatory workplace activities, further discussion is required.

Possible career outcomes

• Case worker/manager
• Community services worker
• Domestic and family violence worker
• Family support worker
• Family services coordinator
• Program coordinator.

Applications & attendance

Additional attendance information

The course is offered in two study modes:

• Full-time The course is delivered on a fulltime basis, students are timetabled to attend three (3) days per week, (18 hours per week), of face to face class sessions over 15 months, and supported by our e-learning platform. There is also structured self-directed learning of 8-10hours per week, at a time that suits you.
• Part-time Blended Is designed for those working in the community services sector and wanting to up-skill, and/or move to a management position. There is a significant component of self-directed learning to allow flexibility of study around work, which consists of structured Before Session work of approximately 6hrs per week, and self-directed learning approx. 8-10hrs.per week.

Virtual classes are delivered online 1 x 3hr session per week; supported by our e-learning platform.  In addition, there is 1-2 x on campus training & assessment workshop days per Term. The Face to Face on campus workshop(s) will incorporate practical training and assessment sessions

Entrance requirements

• Applicants must be 18 years and over at the time of course commencement.
• Applicants are expected to have literacy and numeracy skills at Year 11 or Year 12 or Australian Core Skills Framework Level 3.
• You must reside in Victoria to access Victorian Government Subsidised Fees and any incentive such as Free TAFE. Full fees apply to all non-Victorian residents.

Work placement requirements

Applicants will need to be prepared to obtain the following to undertake the mandatory work placement:  

• Current Working with Children Check (WWCC) $130 or free for Volunteer 
• Current National Police Check $87 or $30 of Volunteer 
• Student Placement NDIS Check $131
• Any additional evidence your work placement provider requires 

Personal Learning Requirements

There are personal learning requirements for each qualification at The Gordon. These are essential personal capabilities and skills required to successfully complete the course and be ready to work in the industry.

Please review the requirements here and consider any challenges you may have in meeting them. When applying for your course, please let us know what support you may need.

Units & assessments

Assessment is based on:

• Workplace Tasks
• Written assignments
• Team Projects    
• Industry placement       
• Exam/questions    
• Case studies
• Role Plays

Fees

$18,097

Further study options

• Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) at Deakin University
• Bachelor of Marketing (Psychology) at Deakin University
• Bachelor of Human Resource Management (Psychology) at Deakin University
• Bachelor of Criminology at Deakin University
• Bachelor of International Studies at Deakin University
• Bachelor of Commerce at Deakin University
• Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science at Deakin University
• Bachelor of Nutrition Science at Deakin University