Diploma of Community Services

Training package entry requirements

There are no training package entry requirements for this qualification.

GOTAFE preferred entry requirements

Before being accepted into the course applicants must:

• Complete a Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB) online test to ensure the required literacy & numeracy levels for the course are met.
• Undertake a Pre-training Review by interview to ensure the course suits their needs and aspirations, and that they are likely to complete the course successfully.
• As a pathway into this qualification GOTAFE requires applicants to have successful completion of CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services, or a similar specialised qualification or have relevant experience in the community services sector within the last 3 years.
  
• Prospective Traineeship or Apprenticeship students are required to apply through an Apprenticeship Network Provider with their employer to organise their apprenticeship contract prior to applying for this course.

Students are advised at the application stage of any course of industry requirements which may include but are not limited to:

• National Police Check with no disclosable outcomes (check not less than 6 months old at time of commencement of placement)
• Working with Childrens Check (with at least 1 year before expiry)
  
• National Disability Insurance Scheme Credentials (NDIS Screening check)
• Practical Placement as per Training Package requirements
• 80% on-campus attendance
• Psychological stamina to carry out work shifts and have empathy and resilience required for working with vulnerable clients

Students will be required to have access to the following in order to complete this course:

• Access to a computer /device which allows access to virtual classrooms
• Internet access

There are no tests or exams in this course, there are between 32-36 assessment tasks which may include:

• Role plays
• Portfolios
• Essays
• Oral Presentations
  
• Workplace observation/demonstration
• Written tasks

Assessments are due 2 weeks after unit/cluster concludes.

There are no books required to be purchased to complete this course.

This course is currently registered with the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA).

The Training Package states the following:

• The Statutory & forensic child, youth & family welfare specialisation must be achieved in order to meet the minimum education requirements for child protection and youth justice practice in Victoria. In addition, to meet the minimum education requirements for entry into child protection practice in Victoria, diploma qualifications must be approved by the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA)

This course is delivered full time over an 18 month period. Students attend classes 2 days a week, with an additional support day with Trainer access provided.

There are remote/flexible study options available.

Details of attendance for On campus delivery mode are as follows

• There is a weekly face-to-face, on campus class (6hrs) & a weekly virtual class (3hrs)
• On the day students attend their 3 hour virtual webinar the trainer is available for the remainder of the day for 1:1 / small groups training support.
• In addition students are expected to spend at least 6 hours per week working through their online course materials.
• Research, revision and completion of assessments is anticipated to take 8-10 hours per month.
• A study plan will be provided to enrolled students, outlining the course structure
• An induction to goLearn - LMS will be conducted

Details of attendance for the Traineeship delivery mode are as follows

• 3 hours structured withdrawal from work during which time they can attend the weekly 3 hour webinar class.
• learning materials are provided through goLearn, which can be worked through in their own time/during structured withdrawal.

Placement:

• is organised by GOTAFE
  
• This qualification has a mandated work placement of 100 hours as per the training package requirements.
• As an ACWA accredited course this qualification requires a 400 hour work placement to meet accreditation requirements.
• Students undertake a practical component that requires 400 practical placement hours within the workplace, completed over two blocks of 5 – 6 weeks full time (Mon – Fri), where the hours will vary according to the needs of the placement host and may involve shift work.

RPL for placement hours:

• Students are required to complete 400 hours into two separate placements, with not less than 140 hours in duration in any one placement, with each placement meeting the placement specifics as outlined in the ACWA course accreditation guidelines.
• Students can apply for Placement RPL for 1 placement. (This is in relation to the additional placement hours mandated by the ACWA, not the mandated 100 hours as per the training package rules - Assessment RPL pathway would need to be applied for in this scenario.)

As this cohort are based in the workplace they have the following options available:

• Option 1
  Placement 1: Apply for RPL for earlier or current work experience.
  Placement 2: Complete a fieldwork placement where the tasks, client group and supervision are different from the regular work undertaken by the student in their workplace.
• Option 2
  Placement 1: Use existing workplace as one fieldwork placement.
  Placement 2: A fieldwork placement where the tasks, client group and supervision are different from the regular work undertaken by the student in their workplace.

Please read the ACWA course accreditation guidelines which outlines the placement specifics which need to be complied with.

Summary of placement requirements for ACWA:

Please read the ACWA course accreditation guidelines which outline the placement specifics which need to be complied with.

• At least 400 hours duration in two separate placements, with students completing a minimum of 140 hours in one placement.
• It must not occur in the first semester of the course to ensure students have been exposed to the underpinning practical and theoretical concepts prior to placement.
• It must occur at least one term apart to ensure that appropriate classroom instruction occurs to facilitate adequate integration of learning and practical experience
• It must occur for a minimum of two full days per week, working no more than eight placement hours per day during normal agency hours when agency staff are present
• It must vary significantly, in context and role, between each placement and to occur in a different field of practice with a different agency supervisor.
• It must have a formal written agreement prepared that details the tasks, roles and responsibilities to be undertaken by the student; this agreement must be signed at the beginning of the placement and signed off at the end of the placement by the student, the agency supervisor, the task supervisor (if applicable) and the fieldwork placement supervisor.

As an enrolled student at GOTAFE you may access a wide range of academic support services to assist you to meet the academic challenges of your course from our Learning Support Unit.

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Refer to the Student Handbook for information regarding Learner’s Rights Student Handbook.

Further information is provided at course induction.

Please note: Eligible individuals who wish to access a government subsidised place, must participate in a Pre-training Review. This will consider your:

• Aspirations/career goals
• Educational attainment and capability
• Literacy and numeracy skills
• Suitability for Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer

Enrolment in general public entry courses will require a selection interview. Please call 1300 468 233 to enquire further.

Skills Recognition is an assessment only process that may result in credits towards a part or full qualification. There is no formal training involved, although you may choose to complete further training as a result of the assessment process.

You can apply for Skills Recognition before you enrol in the qualification you are seeking. You can apply for Skills Recognition through one or both of the following processes:

Credit Transfer for formal training that might be equivalent to a new qualification or partial qualification

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for people who have relevant and current skills and knowledge that they have gained through non-formal or informal learning i.e. work or life experience.