Certificate IV in Community Services

You will gain a strong practical and theoretical base in welfare and social justice to work in a range of community support services. You'll be ready to provide support, education, advocacy or interventions for individual clients, groups or communities. This course will teach you to provide holistic support in residential and community settings. You'll learn to respond to social, emotional, psychological and practical needs.

You will gain industry-specific knowledge and skills including:

• community development
• relationship building
• working with diverse people
• conflict resolution and problem solving
• community education and engagement
• facilitating the interests and rights of clients
• organising group activities and projects
• promoting awareness of domestic and family violence.

The welfare and community services sector is one of Australia's fastest growing sectors, and is expected to continue growing strongly (Labour Market Insights). The Certificate IV in Community Services CHC42015 from Victoria University Polytechnic can help you get your foot in the door.

Working in community services is demanding but rewarding. This course is designed to prepare you to address the social, behavioural, health, welfare, developmental and protection needs of the community. You will be able to work in a range of contexts such as:

• community based organisations
• residential rehabilitation services
• outreach services
• case work/case management.

Example job titles include:

• case worker
• community services worker
• community support worker
• domestic violence worker
• early intervention homelessness worker
• family support worker
• health education officer
• outreach officer
• support worker
• welfare support worker
• welfare worker.

To be awarded CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services, a student must successfully complete a total of fifteen (15) units of competency, comprising of:

• seven (7) core units, and;
• eight (8) elective units, consisting of:

• at least six (6) units from the electives listed in the CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services qualification;
• up to two (2) units from the electives listed in the CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services qualification, any endorsed training package or accredited course.

Any combination of electives that meets the rules above can be selected for the award of the CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services. Where appropriate, electives may be packaged to provide a qualification with a specialisation. Electives must be industry relevant as well as be approved by the Polytechnic.

Specialisations

The Polytechnic, currently do not offer specialisations for this qualification.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

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.