Certificate IV in Community Services

You will gain a strong practical and theoretical base in welfare and social justice to work in a range of community support services.

You’ll be ready to provide support, education, advocacy or interventions for individual clients, groups or communities. This course will teach you to provide holistic support in residential and community settings.

You’ll learn to respond to social, emotional, psychological and practical needs.

You will gain industry-specific knowledge and skills including:

community development relationship building working with diverse people conflict resolution and problem solving community education and engagement facilitating the interests and rights of clients organising group activities and projects promoting awareness of domestic and family violence.

To be awarded CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services, a student must successfully complete a total of fifteen (15) units of competency, comprising of:

• seven (7) core units, and;
• eight (8) elective units, consisting of:

• at least six (6) units from the electives listed in the CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services qualification;
• up to two (2) units from the electives listed in the CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services qualification, any endorsed training package or accredited course.

Any combination of electives that meets the rules above can be selected for the award of the CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services. Where appropriate, electives may be packaged to provide a qualification with a specialisation. Electives must be industry relevant as well as be approved by the Polytechnic.

Specialisations

The Polytechnic, currently do not offer specialisations for this qualification.

Course structure and units

Core units

• CHCADV001 - Facilitate the interests and rights of clients
• CHCCCS004 - Assess co-existing needs
• CHCCOM002 - Use communication to build relationships
• CHCDIV001 - Work with diverse people
• CHCLEG001 - Work legally and ethically
• CHCPRP001 - Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships
• HLTWHS003 - Maintain work health and safety

Elective units

Group A

• CHCDFV001 - Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence
• CHCGRP002 - Plan and conduct group activities

Other Electives

• CHCAOD001 - Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
• CHCCDE003 - Work within a community development framework
• CHCCDE004 - Implement participation and engagement strategies
• CHCCDE007 - Develop and provide community projects
• CHCCOM001 - Provide first point of contact
• HLTAID003 - Provide first aid

Imported

• CHCDFV003 - Promote community awareness of domestic and family violence
• CHCGRP001 - Support group activities

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.

Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Entry requirements

Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs. For employment and practical placement purposes, this vocational sector typically requires a current and satisfactory Police Record Check and Working with Children Check. Failure to provide the required documents in the timeframe specified by the Course Coordinator, means you will be unable to undertake practical placement in a workplace and therefore not eligible to progress in this course.The following are suggested sites you could visit to obtain these checks:- Police Record Check - http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=274 - Working with Children Check - http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/

Pathways from VU courses

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.

Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.

This qualification reflects the role of community service workers who design and deliver person-centred services to individuals and/or groups. Workers may provide support, advocacy or interventions to individual clients, groups or communities across a range of services.