Qualification Description

This qualification reflects the role of community services workers involved in the delivery, management and coordination of person-centred services to individuals, groups, and communities.

At this level, workers have specialised skills in community services and work autonomously within their scope of practice under broad directions from senior management.

Workers support people to make change in their lives to improve personal and social wellbeing and may also have responsibility for the supervision of other workers and volunteers. They may also undertake case management and program coordination.

To achieve this qualification, the candidate must have completed at least 200 hours of work as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of units of competency.

The skills in this qualification must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.

No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.

Entry Requirements

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

Packaging Rules

20 units must be completed:

  • 12 core units
  • 8 elective units, consisting of:
  • at least 6 units from amongst the electives listed in Group A, B, C, D or E below
  • up to 2 units from the electives listed below, any endorsed Training Package or accredited course.

Where appropriate, electives may be packaged to provide a qualification with a specialisation.

Packaging for each specialisation: 

  • at least 4 Group A electives must be selected for the award of Diploma of Community Services(Case Management)
  • at least 3 Group B electives must be selected for award of the Diploma of Community Services (Social Housing)
  • at least 3 Group C electives must be selected for award of the Diploma of Community Services (Child, Youth and Family Welfare)
  • at least 3 Group D electives must be selected for award of the Diploma of Community Services (Responding to Family Violence).

Where two or more specialisations are completed, this should be noted on the testamur when awarding the qualification. For example, Diploma of Community Services (Case Management, Social Housing and Child, Youth and Family Welfare).

All electives chosen must contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome.

CHCCCS007 - Develop and implement service programs_DCS_NP

Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to engage consumers, analyse service needs of particular groups and develop programs and services to meet those needs.

This unit applies to workers coordinating or managing teams and operations in varied service delivery contexts.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.

CHCCCS019 - Recognise and respond to crisis situations_DCS_NP

Application

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.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.

CHCCCS004 - Assess co-existing needs_DCS_NP

Application

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.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.

CHCPRP003 - Reflect on and improve own professional practice_DCS_NP

Application

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.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.

CHCMGT005 - Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes_DCS_NP

Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to monitor and support workers. This includes implementing support processes to manage stress and emotional wellbeing of self or colleagues working in varied health and community service contexts. It also involves facilitating structured debriefing sessions to colleagues following incidents with the potential to impact on health and wellbeing.

This unit applies to leadership or management roles where the individual provides peer to peer support to colleagues and refers to specialised support services in line with organisation guidelines as required.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.

CHCDIV001 - Work with diverse people_DCS_NP

Application

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.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.