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CHC42015
Certificate IV in Community Services
Start Date
Please contact us for the next intake date.
Duration
9 months
Delivery Method
Online
Units
15
Begin your journey in community services
There is an increasing need for people to work within community services, to provide care and counselling services for a wide range of individuals and groups. Community workers perform jobs which give back to disadvantaged individuals within a community.
The CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services offers a practical introduction into the various facets for working in Community Services. You will learn the skills, knowledge and practises essential for providing individuals and groups with personal, social, physical and mental support services within their community. You will also learn how to assess the goals of clients in order to provide them with the right services to improve their wellbeing. Studying this course can also open opportunities within the health sector, including positions such as caseworker, care team leader, and community services coordinator.
Next Start Date
Please contact us for the next intake date.
Duration
9 months
Delivery Method
Online
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Course Overview
Study the Certificate IV in Community Services
The CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services Course equips you with the practical skills and knowledge to provide a wide variety of health and rehabilitation services to groups and individuals from disadvantaged communities. Throughout the course, you will be introduced to a wide range of theories and frameworks in community services, as well as practical experience within the field.
You will learn essential skills required to advise, support and help a variety of people from disadvantaged backgrounds and circumstances. Some of these backgrounds include Aboriginal and Torres strait islander communities, people struggling from addiction, as well as those with mental health struggles within their community.
The course also equips students with specialised knowledge needed to work with clients in a legal and ethical environment which promotes inclusion and growth within diverse communities. You will understand the practises required to analyse the needs of individuals and provide them with case management to help them within their environments. Overall, students will fully understand how to assess the needs within communities and develop service programs to suit these needs.
Is the Certificate IV in Community Services for you?
To work in the industry of community services, it is highly advisable that you possess the following qualities in order to provide optimum support:
- Open social mindset (enjoys working with people within diverse communities)
- Great sense of teamwork (enjoy being a team player, and are able to take responsibility whilst working cooperatively with other people)
- Empathy
- Good Communication Skills (clear and concise when talking to people from different backgrounds, with the ability to adapt their mindset to suit the job)
- Good Leadership skills
Student Study Expectations:
- 15-20 hours per week commitment for study and classes for 9 months online
- Active participation in online classes
- Active participation in role plays
- Professional and respectful behaviour in the classroom and on placement
- Taking responsibility of own learning and reaching out when needing support
What will you learn in the Certificate IV in Community Services?
The Certificate IV in Community Services course is guided by three main pillars of learning.
- Pillar 1: Work in a legal and ethical manner with people within a diverse community
- Pillar 2: Assessing the needs within the community and developing service programs
- Pillar 3: Analysing needs of the individual and providing case management
Core Community Services Skills You’ll Gain:
- Communication and basic counselling skills – identify issues of disadvantages and injustice as well as provide support
- Insight – learn to fully approach complex cases/situations in order to benefit others
- Collaboration – interact collaboratively to promote inclusivity amongst disadvantaged individuals and groups
- Referral – know a range of support networks, including support services, practitioners, local and state governments and when to refer these to clients
- Empowerment – inspire, lead, and encourage people and communities to take steps towards achieving positive outcomes
To gain these learning outcomes you will be guided through 15 nationally accredited units to complete this course.
How will you study the Certificate IV in Community Services?
This course will be delivered through a blended learning approach which combines the flexibility of online learning with the practical support of face-to-face or live training via web tutorials, online forums, and interactive eLearning. All learning is overseen by a qualified trainer and assessor.
This course is also supported by our Purpose Practical’s service, where students can complete practical assessments in a safe, controlled and simulated environment.
How long is the Certificate IV in Community Services?
Studying this course online will run over 9 months. Courses and assessments will take place entirely online.
Entry Requirements
TrainSmart Australia will assess a student’s ‘academic suitability’ to ensure the student has the best chance of success. This is determined by either:
- The student providing TrainSmart Australia with a copy of an Australian year 12 certificate of education; or,
- The student providing TrainSmart Australia with a copy of a completed Certificate qualification that can be verified; or,
- For entry into a Certificate III – A Certificate II or higher;
- For entry into a Certificate IV – A Certificate III or higher;
- The student completing the Core Skills Profile for Adults online assessment passing at or above Exit Level 3 in the Australian Core Skills Framework in both reading and numeracy.
Please note, we are unable to enrol international students at this time.
Delivery Method
The CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services course is delivered fully online with 15 units to complete.
Knowledge Based Assessments
15
Case Studies
15
Practical Assessments
15
Modules
This qualification is made up of the following units of competency. All units of competency must be completed in order to successfully attain the CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services.
The CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services is broken up into the following Modules.
Module 1: Community Services Essentials Part 1
Manage personal stressors in the work environment
HLTWHS006
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to maintain health and wellbeing by preventing and managing personal stress. This unit applies to work in a range of health and community services settings, in particular work roles that operate in high stress situations and circumstances.
Reflect on and improve own professional practice
CHCPRP003
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to evaluate and enhance own practice through a process of reflection and ongoing professional development. This unit applies to workers in all industry sectors who take pro-active responsibility for their own professional development.
Work legally and ethically
CHCLEG001
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and work within the legal and ethical frameworks that apply to an individual job role. This unit applies to community services and health workers who play a proactive role in identifying and meeting their legal and ethical responsibilities.
Work with diverse people
CHCDIV001
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work respectfully with people from diverse social and cultural groups and situations, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. This unit applies to all workers.
Use communication to build relationships
CHCCOM002
This unit describes the skills and knowledge to apply specific communication techniques to establish, build and maintain relationships with clients, colleagues and other stakeholders based on respect and trust. This unit applies to work across a range of workplace contexts where workers at all levels may communicate with individuals and/or groups both in person and in writing.
Module 2: Community Services Essentials Part 2
Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships
CHCPRP001
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify networking and collaboration needs and develop formal and informal partnerships to enhance service delivery and improve professional practice. This unit applies to work in all industry sectors, and to individuals who take pro-active responsibility for improving collaboration between workers and organisations.
Work with people with mental health issues
CHCMHS001
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish relationships, clarify needs, and then work collaboratively with people who are living with mental health issues. This unit applies to support workers in contexts outside the mental health sector, but who come into contact with people with mental health issues. The services and support provided are not mental health specific.
Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
CHCAOD001
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish and work within the current context, philosophy and values of the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector. This unit applies to workers who come into contact with clients affected by alcohol and other drugs.
Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence
CHCDFV001
This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to identify and respond to the needs of clients who may be experiencing domestic and family violence, including responding to immediate intervention and support needs. This unit applies to health and community service workers providing services according to established organisation procedures. These workers may not be specialised family violence workers.
Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
CHCPRT001
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to support and protect children and young people who are at risk of harm. This work occurs within legislative and policy frameworks and carries a duty of care responsibility. This unit applies to workers in a range of job roles providing services to children and young people including in community services and health contexts.
Module 3: Community Services Essentials Part 3
Assess co-existing needs
CHCCCS004
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess the diverse and multi-faceted needs of people and determine both internal and external services required to meet those needs. This unit applies in a range of community service contexts.
Recognise and respond to crisis situations
CHCCCS019
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to recognise situations where people may be in imminent crisis, and then to work collaboratively to minimise any safety concerns and make plans to access required support services. This unit applies to any community services worker involved in crisis intervention. Management of the crisis may involve face-to-face, telephone or remote contact with persons involved.
Facilitate the interests and rights of clients
CHCADV001
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assist clients to identify their rights, voice their needs and concerns and realise their interests, rights and needs. This unit applies to workers of all levels in a range of health or community services settings who provide services using a human rights based approach and have direct interaction with clients.
Facilitate the empowerment of people with disability
CHCDIS007
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to facilitate the empowerment of people with disability to deliver rights based services using a person-centred approach. It should be carried out in conjunction with individualised plans. This unit applies to workers in varied disability contexts.
Maintain work health and safety
HLTWHS003
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to implement and monitor work health and safety (WHS) policies, procedures and work practices as part of a small work team. This unit applies to workers who have a key role in maintaining WHS in an organisation, including duty of care for other workers.
Module 1: Community Services Essentials Part 1
Manage personal stressors in the work environment
HLTWHS006
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to maintain health and wellbeing by preventing and managing personal stress. This unit applies to work in a range of health and community services settings, in particular work roles that operate in high stress situations and circumstances.
Reflect on and improve own professional practice
CHCPRP003
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to evaluate and enhance own practice through a process of reflection and ongoing professional development. This unit applies to workers in all industry sectors who take pro-active responsibility for their own professional development.
Work legally and ethically
CHCLEG001
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and work within the legal and ethical frameworks that apply to an individual job role. This unit applies to community services and health workers who play a proactive role in identifying and meeting their legal and ethical responsibilities.
Work with diverse people
CHCDIV001
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work respectfully with people from diverse social and cultural groups and situations, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. This unit applies to all workers.
Use communication to build relationships
CHCCOM002
This unit describes the skills and knowledge to apply specific communication techniques to establish, build and maintain relationships with clients, colleagues and other stakeholders based on respect and trust. This unit applies to work across a range of workplace contexts where workers at all levels may communicate with individuals and/or groups both in person and in writing.
Module 2: Community Services Essentials Part 2
Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships
CHCPRP001
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify networking and collaboration needs and develop formal and informal partnerships to enhance service delivery and improve professional practice. This unit applies to work in all industry sectors, and to individuals who take pro-active responsibility for improving collaboration between workers and organisations.
Work with people with mental health issues
CHCMHS001
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish relationships, clarify needs, and then work collaboratively with people who are living with mental health issues. This unit applies to support workers in contexts outside the mental health sector, but who come into contact with people with mental health issues. The services and support provided are not mental health specific.
Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
CHCAOD001
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish and work within the current context, philosophy and values of the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector. This unit applies to workers who come into contact with clients affected by alcohol and other drugs.
Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence
CHCDFV001
This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to identify and respond to the needs of clients who may be experiencing domestic and family violence, including responding to immediate intervention and support needs. This unit applies to health and community service workers providing services according to established organisation procedures. These workers may not be specialised family violence workers.
Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
CHCPRT001
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to support and protect children and young people who are at risk of harm. This work occurs within legislative and policy frameworks and carries a duty of care responsibility. This unit applies to workers in a range of job roles providing services to children and young people including in community services and health contexts.
Module 3: Community Services Essentials Part 3
Assess co-existing needs
CHCCCS004
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess the diverse and multi-faceted needs of people and determine both internal and external services required to meet those needs. This unit applies in a range of community service contexts.
Recognise and respond to crisis situations
CHCCCS019
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to recognise situations where people may be in imminent crisis, and then to work collaboratively to minimise any safety concerns and make plans to access required support services. This unit applies to any community services worker involved in crisis intervention. Management of the crisis may involve face-to-face, telephone or remote contact with persons involved.
Facilitate the interests and rights of clients
CHCADV001
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assist clients to identify their rights, voice their needs and concerns and realise their interests, rights and needs. This unit applies to workers of all levels in a range of health or community services settings who provide services using a human rights based approach and have direct interaction with clients.
Facilitate the empowerment of people with disability
CHCDIS007
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to facilitate the empowerment of people with disability to deliver rights based services using a person-centred approach. It should be carried out in conjunction with individualised plans. This unit applies to workers in varied disability contexts.
Maintain work health and safety
HLTWHS003
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to implement and monitor work health and safety (WHS) policies, procedures and work practices as part of a small work team. This unit applies to workers who have a key role in maintaining WHS in an organisation, including duty of care for other workers.
Job Outcomes
Certificate IV in Community Services Career Opportunities
The CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services qualification can lead to an array of career opportunities with job titles such as;
- Welfare Support Worker
- Case Worker (Community Services)
- Community Support Worker
- Family Support Worker
- Aboriginal Intake and Referral Worker
- Outreach Officer
Further Study Options:
This flexible qualification can also be used as a pathway to further studies such as:
– CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services
– CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs
Upon graduation TrainSmart Australia can offer direct credits into Diploma courses, reducing the cost, time and workload to achieve your next qualification.
Expected Salary and Biggest Employment Opportunity
$53,400
SALARY
Average Entry Level Annual Salary
57.1%
JOBS
Employed as Community and Personal Service Workers
62.1%
INDUSTRY
Employed in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry
All statistics are supplied by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research. Based on national surveys.
Payment Options
$4,000
STANDARD RATE
The maximum tuition fee for this course is $4,000. Your fee payment options are:
- Upfront payment
- Interest Free Payment Plan – No deposit, no interest payment plans.
Find out what your repayments may be using our Payment Plan Repayment Calculator
Purpose Practicals
Gain Practical Experience In a Safe Environment
As a part of studying Health and Community Services at TrainSmart Australia, some units require students to complete practical assessments that simulate a counselling setting. These assessments gives students opportunities to practice counselling skills and techniques before entering the workplace.
Purpose Practicals provides a safe and controlled environment and to build confidence and develop essential counselling skills for future health care professionals.
How it works?
Purpose Practicals simulates a counselling environment through an online Zoom call which involve a Health and Community Services assessor, an actor and the learner/student. In these sessions the actor takes on the role of resembling a real-life client, in which an issue or traumatic event is retold from the actor’s perspective.
Based on the assessment criteria, the student is tasked with responding to the client with the focus on utilising skills taught in the unit.
Through the sessions students can gain valuable feedback and be prepared to handle complex situations before entering the real world environment.
Not Just for Counselling Students
We know that Counselling is an incredibly important skill, which is why we implemented Counselling units throughout more courses than just our Diploma of Counselling. TrainSmart Australia students studying Health and Community Services have access to our Purpose Practicals service!
Ready to Start Studying?
If you want to become a Counsellor, a Mental Health Worker or an Alcohol and Other Drugs Therapist, then check out the courses below and get started studying with cutting-edge counselling resources with TrainSmart Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this course nationally recognised? What does that mean?
Completing a nationally recognised qualification (or training) means that your qualification and credentials are recognised all across Australia by other registered training organisations and employers. All accredited courses must adhere to the standards set by the Australian Skills and Quality Authority (ASQA). According to ASQA, accreditation is formal confirmation that the course:
- Is nationally recognised
- Meets an established industry, enterprise, educational, legislative or community need
- Provides appropriate competency outcomes and satisfactory basis for assessment
- Meets national quality assurance requirements
- Is assigned appropriately to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) where it leads to a qualification.
How many hours do I need to study each week?
To achieve this qualification within the given timeframe, students are required to commit to a minimum of 15 hours of study per week.
Can I get course credit for previous study?
Students enrolling into a Trainsmart Australia course can receive recognition for previous studies completed at a Certificate and Diploma level. Students can be awarded a credit transfer if:
- The student already holds a unit (or units) for the they’re enrolling into,
- The student holds an old unit which is deemed equivalent to the new unit they’re enrolling into
Receiving credit transfers will reduce the overall cost of your qualification as well as the duration to complete your remaining units.
University qualifications are not backwards transferrable, which means no credit transfers can be awarded. However, you can still apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL).
What if I don’t meet the entry requirements?
If you are unable to provide a copy of an Australian Year 12 Certificate or Certificate IV qualification or higher, you may be required to complete an Language Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) test to gain entry into your course of interest. This test is offered online, free of charge, after you have submitted your application.
Are TrainSmart courses Centrelink approved?
All of our courses are Centrelink approved through AUSTUDY.
Next Start Date
Duration
Delivery Method
All statistics are supplied by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research. Based on national surveys.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Kickstart your career in Community Services today!
Applying online is easy and only takes 5-7 minutes! Once your application is submitted our friendly Career Advisors will contact you at your chosen time.
