Overview
Develop the professional and empathetic skills to work within a community organisation to effectively assist individuals, families and communities in their social environments. You will gain the skills and knowledge for roles that involve service delivery, either direct client work and/or community education or development projects. Job opportunities include community services and case management work involved in the managing, coordinating and/or delivering of person-centred services to individuals, groups and communities.
At this level, workers have specialised skills in community services and work autonomously under broad directions from senior management. Workers are usually providing direct support to individuals or groups of individuals. Workers may also have responsibility for the supervision of other workers and volunteers and/or case management; program coordination or the development of new business opportunities.
Wodonga TAFE is a Community Work Australia accredited organisation, allowing our graduates to apply for positions within statutory organisations such as; Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Child Protection, Corrections and Juvenile Justice.
Successful completion of Certificate IV in Community Services will give you credits towards the Diploma of Community Services.
Please note: This qualification is scheduled to be replaced and the information provided here is indicative only. For more information, please see Frequently Asked Questions
Duration
Full-time: 21 months
Requirements
- Successful applicants for this course will be required to obtain a Working with Children's Check, apply for a National Police check and may be required to apply for an NDIS Worker Clearance prior to field placement.
- Successful applicants for this course may be required to provide evidence of immunisation records (if placement occurs in a healthcare or aged care setting). This may include evidence of COVID-19 vaccination status, or a medical exemption.
- Completion of a supervised Language Literacy and Numeracy & Digital Assessment. Applicants will also be assessed on Literacy, Numeracy, and English Writing skills. Applicants must gain an Exit Level 3 or above for Reading and Exit Level 2, Working at Level 3 for Numeracy and Writing to meet the required eligibility for selection into the course. Information regarding this will be emailed to you on receipt of your application.
- Applicants must be over the age of 17. Younger students are encouraged to apply for the Certificate II in Community Services as a pathway opportunity.
Information Sessions
Join us for one of our upcoming course information sessions, and learn about all our Community Services courses, including Certificate II, Certificate IV and Diploma.
- On Campus: Tuesday 21 October, drop in any time between 3-5pm. Wodonga TAFE main campus - 87 McKoy Street, West Wodonga - Building B.
- Online: Tuesday 11 November, 7pm-8pm. Register Here
Field Placement
Students will participate in two field placements across the Diploma. Students must be a minimum of 18 years of age at the time of their first placement. Placement will be industry based and be approximately 200 hours each year (400 hours total must be completed). Classes are not scheduled during field placement blocks.
The specific aims of the field placements are to:
- apply knowledge learnt during your course in the workplace
- gain skills recognised by industry;
- become familiar with employers' expectations;
- increase your employment options and employability skills;
- make contact with employers;
- meet the membership requirements of 400 hours of the Community Work Australia association and;
- meet the Community Services & Health Industry Skills Council work application requirements.
When enrolling into the course it is important to begin planning for the field placement requirements. Placements occur full time (five days per week) unless otherwise negotiated with the Placement Coordinator. It is recommended that placement occurs at least three days per week if a part-time mode is negotiated as this will reduce the impact on attendance with scheduled classes.
A Working With Children's Check (WWCC) and a National Police Check are mandatory for the participation and completion of placement. Industry partners will not provide field placement opportunities without these checks being undertaken. Evidence of the WWCC letter of approval or the WWCC identification card must be provided during orientation.
The NDIS Worker Clearance may be required across community services.
Successful applicants for this course may be required to provide evidence of immunisation records (if placement occurs in a healthcare or aged care setting). This may include evidence of COVID-19 vaccination status, or a medical exemption.
Assessment
The method of assessment varies and can include (but is not limited to):
- observation in the workplace or simulated environment
- written tasks, including quizzes
- research tasks, including projects
- portfolios
- oral presentations
- group work
Other Information
Applicants with relevant industry experience may apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL). This is determined on a case by case basis.