Diploma of Community Services Online
Elevate your passion for community betterment into a rewarding career by enrolling in the CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services – a transformative educational experience.
Create a positive impact within your community while experiencing the fulfilment of a rewarding career.
The CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services prepares aspiring professionals to champion person-centered services for individuals, groups, and communities. This credential equips learners with specialized skills to work autonomously while following senior management directives, facilitate transformative change in personal and societal well-being, and potentially lead teams and volunteers while managing cases and coordinating programs. The program requires a minimum of 200 hours of practical experience and aligns with Commonwealth and State regulations, Australian standards, and industry best practices.
This diploma serves as your gateway to professional growth in the community services sector. Graduates emerge ready to make meaningful contributions to society, equipped with the skills needed to operate effectively within the framework of established community service practices and to drive positive change in the lives of those they serve.
Who is this course for?
Discover the gateway to a meaningful career with our entry-level CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services in community services. This credential is tailored for individuals seeking to build foundational skills and make a positive difference in the lives of others. Under the guidance of seasoned mentors, you'll gain the expertise to offer essential counselling, referrals, and promotional services.
Our program is designed to cater to those aiming to cultivate specialised abilities in interpersonal engagement. Community service workers play a pivotal role in providing personal, social, physical, and emotional support. Effective communication is key in this domain, requiring exceptional listening skills and the capacity to offer valuable advice and guidance. Clients facing a variety of challenges, whether physical, mental, familial, or situational, rely on workers who embody qualities of non-judgment, patience, care, and a profound understanding of available assistance services.
Join us on this journey to impact lives, equipped with the tools and aptitudes that empower you to provide compassionate and effective support within the realm of community services.
Available Online Units
Core Units
CHCCCS004: Assess co-existing needs
This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to assess the co-existing needs of clients. It includes a review of assessment frameworks and tools, and an examination of how best to consider the impact of co-existing needs on service delivery.
This unit is important because it helps to ensure that co-existing needs are considered when providing services to clients. This can help to improve the overall service experience for clients and help to ensure that all of their needs are being met.
At the end of this unit, you will be able to:
- Understand the importance of assessing co-existing needs
- Review assessment frameworks and tools
- Consider how co-existing needs can impact service delivery
- Develop an action plan to address co-existing needs.
CHCCCS007 Develop and implement service programs
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop, implement and review service programs in accordance with organisational requirements.
It applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work. They use discretion and judgement in planning, problem-solving and carrying out tasks. This unit also covers maintaining program quality.
CHCCCS019: Recognise and respond to crisis situations
This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to recognise and respond to crisis situations. It includes identifying signs of crisis, responding appropriately to the level of crisis, and providing support to people in crisis.
This unit is relevant to workers in a range of community, health and human service contexts who work directly with clients.
This unit is important because it will provide you with the skills and knowledge to recognise and respond to crisis situations. It is also important to be able to provide support to people who are in crisis.
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Identify signs of crisis
- Respond appropriately to the level of crisis
- Provide support to people in crisis.
CHCCSM013: Facilitate and review case management (100 hours work placement)
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to plan, monitor and review case management.
Workers at this level work within organisational policies and procedures and may work autonomously or in consultation with supervisor or team leader.
This unit applies to work in a range of health and community services contexts.
CHCDEV005: Analyse impacts of sociological factors on people in community work and services
This unit of competency describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to analyse impacts of sociological factors when undertaking community work and associated services.
The unit describes the application of knowledge of the broad social and cultural context in which work is planned and implemented in the community services industry.
CHCDFV001: Recognise and Respond Appropriately to Domestic and Family Violence
This unit covers the knowledge and skills required to recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence. This includes understanding the dynamics of domestic and family violence, identifying signs of domestic and family violence, and responding safely and effectively to disclosures of domestic and family violence.
Handling domestic and family violence is a complex task. This unit will give you the skills and knowledge to safely and effectively support people experiencing or at risk of domestic and family violence.
At the end of this unit, you will be able to:
- Understand the dynamics of domestic and family violence
- Identify signs of domestic and family violence
- Respond safely and effectively to disclosures of domestic and family violence
- Refer clients who disclose domestic and family violence to appropriate services.
CHCDIV001: Work with Diverse People
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work effectively with a range of diverse individuals, families, carers and/or communities.
It applies to workers who interface with diverse people as part of their job role. It includes interacting with people from diverse backgrounds in a range of contexts. It also includes having an awareness of own personal values, attitudes and beliefs and how these may impact working with diverse people.
At the end of this unit, students should be able to:
- Engage diverse individuals, families, carers and/or communities in a way that meets their needs promote their strengths and are culturally safe.
- Communicate with diverse individuals, families, carers and/or communities using methods and language that are appropriate to their needs.
- Promote the inclusion and participation of diverse individuals, families, carers and/or communities.
- Use effective interpersonal skills to support the development of respectful relationships with diverse individuals, families, carers and/or communities.
- Reflect on personal values, attitudes and beliefs and how they may impact working with diverse individuals
It applies to workers across a range of community work and services contexts who take responsibility for their own outputs within an established framework. They work under broad supervision and guidance from others.
CHCDIV002: Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Safety
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety within own job role.
This unit applies to workers across a broad range of community service contexts who work collaboratively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. They may work with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander individuals, families or communities in a direct service capacity or in an indirect service capacity.
Workers at this level maintain cultural safety by ensuring their own attitudes, knowledge, behaviours, and values do not judgementally affect service provision.
They work to ensure that the service environment and delivery are culturally safe for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients. This includes promoting the use of interpreters and other strategies to facilitate communication.
Workers may be required to provide leadership and guidance to others in promoting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety.
This unit applies to workers across a range of community work and services contexts who take responsibility for their own outputs within an established framework. They work under broad supervision and guidance from others.
CHCLEG003: Manage legal and ethical compliance
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to manage legal and ethical compliance within an organisation or specific service area.
It applies to individuals who are required to develop, implement and maintain organisational or service area policies and procedures to ensure compliance with legislative, regulatory and policy requirements.
At the end of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Develop, implement and maintain organisational or service area compliance policies and procedures
- Consult with relevant personnel to identify compliance risks and responsibilities
- Develop, implement and communicate organisational or service area compliance policies and procedures
- Regularly review compliance policies and procedures to ensure they are relevant and reflect any changes in legislation, regulations or organisational policy.
2. Monitor compliance with organisational or service area compliance policies and procedures
- Monitor organisational or service area compliance activities to identify potential breaches of compliance policies and procedures
- Report any potential breaches of compliance policies and procedures to the relevant personnel
3. Respond to breaches of organisational or service area compliance policies and procedures
- Investigate any potential breaches of compliance policies and procedures in accordance with organisational requirements
- Take appropriate corrective action in response to any actual breaches of compliance policies and procedures
- Review and update organisational or service area compliance policies and procedures in response to any identified gaps or weaknesses
4. Promote a compliance culture within the organisation or service area
- Encourage personnel to adopt and uphold organisational or service area compliance policies and procedures
- Model ethical and compliant behaviour in accordance with organisational values
- Provide training and development opportunities for personnel on their compliance responsibilities
- Communicate openly with personnel about compliance issues and encourage two-way feedback.
5. Keep abreast of changes in legislation, regulations and organisational policy
- Monitor changes in relevant legislation, regulations and organisational policy
- Ensure compliance policies and procedures are updated to reflect any changes in legislation, regulations or organisational policy
- Communicate any changes in compliance requirements to relevant personnel
6. Maintain records of compliance activities
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of compliance activities in accordance with organisational requirements
- Ensure confidential records are securely stored and accessed in accordance with organisational policy and procedures.
CHCMGT005: Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes following critical incidents.
This unit applies to workers who are required to provide debriefing and support following critical incidents in a range of community service contexts. The level of knowledge required is broad but does not extend to specialist skills.
By the end of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Prepare for debriefing
- Consult with relevant people to develop a debriefing plan
- Obtain required resources
2. Conduct debriefing
- Conduct debriefing in accordance with the plan
3. Follow up after debriefing
- Review debriefing process
- Identify improvements to the debriefing process
CHCPRP003: Reflect on and Improve Own Professional Practice
The unit reflects the role of workers who are engaged in applying a range of well-developed community service, case management and facilitation skills to work collaboratively with clients and other professionals. They may provide services in a range of community service contexts.
On completion of this unit, workers will have the skills and knowledge required to reflect on their own professional practice, to identify opportunities for improvement and make changes to enhance their effectiveness.
By the end of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Reflect on practice
- Evaluate own performance against relevant standards
- Identify areas of practice that need improvement
2. Seek feedback on practice
- Seek feedback from colleagues, clients and others on areas of practice that need improvement
3. Identify opportunities for improving practice
- Analyse feedback received to identify opportunities for improving practice
4. Implement improvements to practice
- Develop and implement a plan to improve own professional practice
5. Monitor and review changes to practice
- Monitor and review changes to own professional practice against the plan
HLTWHS003: Maintain work health and safety
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.
Elective Units
CHCADV005: Provide systems advocacy services
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide systems advocacy services.
It applies to workers who work within networks of organisations, or as part of an advocacy organisation.
They work autonomously and exercise judgement in selecting strategies to achieve desired outcomes.
Students will be required to:
- Develop and facilitate system advocacy: This involves identifying community needs, issues and concerns that can be addressed through system advocacy, developing system advocacy proposals in consultation with relevant stakeholders facilitating the development of partnerships and coalitions to progress system advocacy proposals, and advocating for system change to meet community needs.
- Promote system advocacy: this involves developing and implementing strategies to raise awareness of system advocacy among key stakeholders, using a range of strategies and media to promote system advocacy, and evaluating the effectiveness of promotional activities.
- Support individuals to engage in system advocacy: This involves Identifying and providing information and resources to individuals who want to engage in system advocacy, providing advice and support to individuals who want to engage in system advocacy, and advocating on behalf of an individual as required.
- Monitor and review system advocacy: This involves monitoring the progress of system advocacy in consultation with relevant stakeholders, evaluating system advocacy in consultation with relevant stakeholders, and making recommendations for improvement to system advocacy in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
CHCCSL001: Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish and maintain a helping relationship with clients. This unit applies to workers who provide counselling services to clients in a range
This diploma of community services online course will provide you with the skills and knowledge to support clients, manage caseloads and work collaboratively with other professionals.
You will develop an understanding of human development and behaviour, learn how to apply counselling skills in a range of settings and explore ways to build respectful relationships.
Upon successful completion of this course unit, you will have the skills to:
- establish and maintain rapport with clients
- assess client needs
- develop case management plans
- work collaboratively with other professionals.
CHCCSL002: Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to conduct a specialist counselling interview with an individual or group.
This unit applies to workers who use highly developed interpersonal skills to conduct counselling interviews with clients in a range of community service contexts. They exercise considerable discretion and judgement in planning, conducting and evaluating the interview process
CHCDEV004: Confirm developmental status
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to review the developmental status of a child or a young person.
Work at this level may require guidance and supervision from appropriately qualified personnel, especially where provision of direct client services is involved.
This unit applies to people working in a range of community service contexts including juvenile justice, alcohol and other drugs services, mental health, and child protection.
CHCMHS007: Work Effectively in Trauma Informed Care
This unit will cover the knowledge and skills required to work effectively with people who have experienced trauma. It will provide an understanding of the impact of trauma on people's lives and how to work safely and therapeutically with people who have been affected by trauma.
This unit is relevant to workers in a range of community, health and human service contexts who work directly with clients.
This unit is important because it will provide you with the skills and knowledge to work effectively and safely with clients who have experienced trauma. It will also help you to understand how trauma can impact people's lives and how to work in a way that is supportive and therapeutic.
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Understand the impact of trauma on individuals, families and communities
- Identify key principles of working with clients who have experienced trauma
- Work safely and effectively with clients who have experienced trauma
- Use a range of interventions to support clients who have
CHCMHS011: Assess and Promote Social, Emotional and Physical Wellbeing Course Details
This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to assess and promote the social, emotional and physical wellbeing of individuals experiencing mental health challenges. It includes understanding the interconnectedness of social, emotional and physical factors in mental health, identifying individual wellbeing needs and implementing strategies to enhance overall wellbeing. Learners will develop the ability to support clients by assessing their needs and promoting approaches that improve mental health outcomes through holistic, person-centred care.
This unit is crucial for workers who support individuals with mental health conditions. It equips workers with the skills to assess not only the emotional and mental aspects of wellbeing but also the social and physical dimensions, promoting an integrated approach to health and recovery. By learning to consider all aspects of an individual's health, workers can help create tailored support plans that contribute to a balanced and sustainable recovery journey.
Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Assess the social, emotional and physical wellbeing of individuals with mental health challenges
- Develop strategies to promote holistic wellbeing, including addressing the emotional, social and physical factors that impact recovery
- Collaborate with individuals to create person-centred wellbeing plans
- Identify and apply interventions that support positive wellbeing outcomes
- Monitor and review wellbeing strategies to ensure ongoing effectiveness and client satisfaction
CHCPOL003: Research and apply evidence to practice
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to access and interpret mental health research and information and apply this evidence to clinical practice.
Evidence gathering is a necessary step in any clinical decision-making process. It allows practitioners to make informed decisions about the most appropriate assessment, diagnosis and treatment for individual clients.
The research findings that mental health practitioners use to inform their clinical decision-making can come from a range of sources, including scientific journals, government reports, community surveys and client case studies.
This unit applies to mental health practitioners who work independently and with other members of a multidisciplinary team. They work with clients who have mental health issues and disorders, and their families/carers.
CHCPRP001: Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships.
It applies to workers who work with young people in a range of contexts.
At the end of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Develop partnerships
- Determine purpose of developing partnerships
- Develop networks and linkages
- Identify potential partners
- Develop partnerships
2. Maintain partnerships
- Maintain networks and linkages
- Evaluate the effectiveness of partnerships
3. Develop collaborative relationships
- Develop collaborative relationships
- Implement collaborative relationships
4. Maintain collaborative relationships
- Maintain collaborative relationships
- Evaluate the effectiveness of collaborative relationships
5. Facilitate community participation
- Facilitate community participation
- Evaluate the effectiveness of community participation
6. Advocate for community development
- Advance the interests of community development
- Evaluate the effectiveness of advocacy activities
7. Foster community self-reliance
- Evaluate community needs
- Encourage community initiatives
- Evaluate the effectiveness of fostering community self-reliance
What career could I have?
Careers in the community services sector may include:
- Community Care Manager: plans, organises and manages community care services.
- Coordinator of Volunteer Work: matches volunteers with organisations and projects that need their help.
- Team Leader: coordinates the work of a team of community service workers.
- Care Team Leader: manages a team of carers who work in the community to support people with disabilities, mental health disorders or other needs.
- Family Services Coordinator: works with families to identify their needs and connect them with services that can help.
- Youth Worker: works with young people aged 12-25 who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse, unemployment or crime.
- Support Facilitator (Community Services): collaborates with community members to figure out what kind of support they need and connect them with the appropriate services.
- Community Housing Resources Worker: helps people with housing needs to access suitable accommodation and support services.
- Community Development Worker for Social Housing: works with residents of social housing estates to develop a sense of community and improve their quality of life.
- Community Recreation Coordinator: develops and coordinates recreation programs for community members.
- Housing Manager: responsible for the management of social housing properties.
- Housing Assistant: provides support and assistance to tenants of social housing.
- Assistant Community Worker: provides support to community workers and assists with the delivery of community programs.
- Community Worker: works with individuals, families and groups in the community to help them overcome social, economic and physical disadvantages.
- Aboriginal Housing Worker: works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, to help them access safe and suitable housing.
- Community Services Coordinator: coordinates the delivery of community services.
- Case Coordinator (Disability): works with people with disabilities to assess their support needs and develop individualised plans.
- Youth Housing Support Worker: works with young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, to help them access safe and suitable housing.
- Family Support Worker: provides support to families who are experiencing difficulties.
- Community Access Coordinator: assists people with disabilities in accessing community facilities and services.
- Community Connections Officer: works with community members to connect them with services and support.
- Pastoral Care Counsellor: provides counselling and support to people who are experiencing difficulties.
- Aboriginal Neighbourhood House Coordinator: works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to connect them with services and support.
- Case Coordinator (Community Services): works with clients of community services to assess their needs and develop individualised plans.
- Senior Youth Worker: provides support and assistance to young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
- Disability Team Leader: manages a team of workers who provide support to people with disabilities.
- Support Facilitator (Disability): collaborates with people with disabilities to figure out what kind of support they need and connect them with the appropriate services.
- Community Housing Worker: helps people with housing needs to access suitable accommodation and support services.
- Community Work Coordinator: coordinates the delivery of community programs and services.
- Early Intervention Worker: works with families who have a young child with a disability, to provide support and assistance.
- Community Program Coordinator: coordinates community programs and services.
- Pastoral Care Worker & Assistant Community Services Worker: provides counselling and support to people who are experiencing difficulties.
- Homelessness Services Manager: responsible for the management of homelessness services.
- Outreach Worker: works with people who are marginalised or have difficulty accessing services, to help them connect with the services they need.
- Community Transport Coordinator: coordinates community transport services.
- Community Development Officer: works with community members to identify their needs and develop programs and services to meet those needs.
- Community Educator: works with community members to raise awareness of issues affecting their lives and to develop skills and knowledge.
- Multicultural Community Liaison Officer: works with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to connect them with services and support.
- Community Volunteer Coordinator: manages volunteers and coordinates volunteer programs.
- Welfare Support Worker: provides support to people who are experiencing difficulties.
- Community Education Officer: delivers programs and services that promote community education and engagement.
- Community Engagement Officer: works with community members to identify their needs and develop programs and services to meet those needs.
- Family Violence Prevention Coordinator: works with families who are experiencing violence, to provide support and assistance.
- Mental Health Support Worker: provides support to people who are experiencing mental health difficulties.
- Community Arts Coordinator: manages community arts programs and projects.
FAQ
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Be an Australian Citizen or permanent resident.
- Have completed their education to a level which is equivalent to an Australian Senior High School Year 12 or has completed an AQF Certificate IV in Community Services.
- Have suitable language, literacy and numeracy skills to read and comprehend learning materials and perform tasks related to recording workplace documents including reading and writing detailed reports, case notes, reports and other documents, interpreting workplace policy and procedure and reporting hazards. Learners are required to pass an online LLN assessment test
- Be capable of completing 200 hours of work placement in a suitable health facility.
- Have sound computer skills to navigate simple software to complete the online component of this course and must be able to use intermediate level Word features in order to produce and present word-processed documents/ reports.
- Have access to a laptop and internet to complete this online course.
- Have a valid Working with Children Check (or be prepared to obtain this prior to work placement).
- Have a valid Police Check (or be prepared to obtain this prior to work placement).
- Have the required immunisations, including COVID-19 vaccination, as required to attend the placement facility. Please note, additional immunisations may be required given the Government or placement facility’s health policy changes.
- These entry requirements will be confirmed through information collected on the enrolment form and during the enrolment interview.
Holistic Blended Learning Approach
Experience a comprehensive learning journey through our innovative blended delivery model, expertly designed to cater to diverse learning styles. This engaging approach seamlessly integrates various elements to provide you with a well-rounded education:
- Synchronous Online Classroom Sessions: Immerse yourself in Trainer-led, synchronous online classroom sessions that foster real-time interaction and engagement.
- Structured Self-Paced Online Study: Utilise our platform for structured, self-paced online study, enabling you to grasp the material at your own pace while maintaining your commitments.
- Dynamic Skills Development and Practice: Elevate your skills during dedicated interactive sessions that encourage hands-on learning and practical application.
Real-world Work Placement: Gain invaluable real-world experience through a comprehensive 10-week work placement, equipping you with practical insights and industry exposure.
Complementing this comprehensive training are personalised one-on-one unit progression mentoring sessions, tailored to your unique needs. The entire program spans 78 weeks (18 months), thoughtfully divided as follows:
- 62 Weeks: Engage in scheduled class training and assessment, ensuring a strong foundation of knowledge and skills.
- 6 Weeks Break: Enjoy well-deserved breaks, with 4 weeks at the end of the year and 2 weeks mid-year, allowing you to recharge.
- 10 Weeks Work Placement: Embark on a 20-hour-per-week work placement over 10 weeks, gaining practical experience and industry connections.
Seize this holistic educational opportunity that blends theory, practice, and real-world exposure to propel your career forward.
Hader Institute provides support to all learners through the trainer and the Hader Institute of Education Learner Support Officer.
The assessment is conducted using a combination of realistic workplace tasks, projects, knowledge tests, response to case studies and completing practical demonstrations. The following provides a brief explanation of the assessment methods that are to be applied: Written tasks; Case Study; Practical Activities and Demonstrations through Zoom or other online platforms.
Is work experience required for the diploma of community services?
Yes, all learners will be required to complete a total of 100 hours of work placement as part of the diploma of community services. Learners will be placed in an organisation relevant to their chosen field of study.
This work placement will give Learners the opportunity to put their theoretical knowledge into practice and gain valuable industry experience.
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