Diploma of Community Development

This course will provide you with the theoretical knowledge and skills required for leadership in the community sector.

You will learn to work in partnership with communities to build their capacity, resilience and self-determination.

You’ll gain the tools to educate the public through programs on health advocacy and community consultation.

You’ll develop specific community development skills as well as broad skills for community services work, such as:

advocacy facilitation needs assessment empowerment.

As part of your studies, you will undertake a fieldwork placement and an industry project.

You will even have the opportunity to undertake your placement in an international location;

in 2016, students went to Malaysia.

 These opportunities will give you valuable practical experience and on-the-job confidence.

To be awarded CHC52115 Diploma of Community Development, a student must successfully complete a total of fourteen (14) units of competency, consisting of:

• eight (8) core units, and;
• six (6) elective units, of which:
• at least three (3) units must be selected from the electives listed in the CHC52115 Diploma of Community Development qualification, and;
• up to three (3) units can be selected from the electives listed in the CHC52115 Diploma of Community Development qualification or any endorsed training package or accredited course - these units must be relevant to the work outcome.

All electives chosen must contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome as well as be approved by the Polytechnic.

Course structure and units

Core units

• CHCCDE002 - Develop and implement community programs
• CHCCDE008 - Support community action
• CHCCDE009 - Develop and support community leadership
• CHCCDE010 - Develop and lead community engagement strategies to enhance participation
• CHCCDE011 - Implement community development strategies
• CHCCDE012 - Work within organisation and government structures to enable community development outcomes
• CHCDIV003 - Manage and promote diversity
• HLTWHS003 - Maintain work health and safety

Elective units

• CHCADV005 - Provide systems advocacy services
• CHCCSL003 - Facilitate the counselling relationship and process
• CHCGRP002 - Plan and conduct group activities
• CHCPRP003 - Reflect on and improve own professional practice

Imported

• CHCDEV002 - Analyse impacts of sociological factors on clients in community work and services
• CHCDFV003 - Promote community awareness of domestic and family violence

Recognition of Prior Learning and/or Credit Transfers

Previous completion of units at the Polytechnic or any other Registered Training Organisation and/or previous attainment of skills and knowledge may be credited towards this course. Units must satisfy the completion rules of the training package and be assessed as appropriate by the Polytechnic.

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.

Pathways to further study

On completion of this course you will be guaranteed entry into the following degree and in some cases receive credit for your study:

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

Find out more about our study pathways to VU

This qualification reflects the role of community services workers who manage the development and delivery of programs that build capacity of communities to influence and guide their own future through public social change processes. At this level, workers have specialised skills with complexity in the range and choices of actions required. Workers will generally have responsibility for the supervision of other workers and volunteers. This work may be undertaken through organisations working across a range of social, environment, health, economic, arts and culture, recreation sectors.