Click here to download the Units of Competency for this course.

There are no entry requirements stated in the Training Package rules for CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services.

International students must be 18 years of age or above and provide evidence of the following published entry requirements as stated below.

International students must:

• Be at least 18 years of age,
• Provide evidence of completing at least the equivalent of Australian Year 12,
• Successfully complete the Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) online test as per ALG’s Language, Literacy and Numeracy Requirements Factsheet,
• Meet English Language Entry Requirements as per ALG’s English Proficiency Requirements Factsheet

A prospective student does not need to provide evidence of an English test score with their application if one of the following applies:

• Prospective student is a citizen and holds a passport from UK, USA, Canada, NZ or Republic of Ireland.
• Prospective student has completed at least 5 years’ study in English in one or more of the following countries: Australia, UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, or the Republic of Ireland.
• Completed at least 6 months of a Certificate IV level course in an Australian RTO.

Please also note that if you are applying for more than one course with us, you will only need to complete the LLN online test once. Students returning to studies at ALG after a significant gap may be required to complete the LLN online test at the discretion of ALG.

The course is delivered over 78 weeks (60 weeks delivery plus 18 weeks in term breaks).

This full-time training program of 1,800 hours is delivered as follows:

• 60 weeks delivery (6 x 10-week terms) comprising:
• 20 contact hours – 14 hours face to face classes and 6 hours supervised learning per week during term time
• 10 hours self-directed learning activities per week during term time
• 18 weeks in term breaks.

A term is typically 10 weeks

Modules:

Case Planning
Client Assessment
Diverse Clients
Community Services Professional Practice
Community Services Specialisation
Work Placement

Each module is delivered over a term (10 weeks). The first five modules are delivered as a face to face classroom component. Module 6 is delivered as a work placement component to meet the requirements of the qualification that the “candidate must have completed at least 100 hours of work placement as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of the relevant units of competency.” As ALG’s target group are international students with minimal or no knowledge of community services work in the Australian context, ALG students will need to complete 200 hours of work placement over 1 term.

Supervised Study

Students are required to undertake supervised study for 6 hours per week during each term and are provided with a plan (based on a 10-week period) that outlines the various learning activities to be undertaken to prepare them to undertake their summative assessment requirements. The plan requires students to spend an average of 3 hours per week on these activities and 3 hours completing their assessments. The completion of the Supervised Study Plan is monitored in class and the activities completed may be utilised in classroom sessions as the basis for group discussion and to engage in critical discourse using student activity responses.

Self-Directed Learning Activities

Students are expected to undertake self-study to review and revise the material covered during the week for 10 hours per week during each term to reinforce learning, prepare for follow up sessions and undertake research/preparation for assessment.

Students are provided with an Self-Directed Learning Guide for each module that guides them through the self-study time with suggested reading and formative activities. Students are also encouraged to reflect on their learning by completing a reflective learning journal to document what they have learned, what activities were useful, and what they would
like to learn more about.

Assessment Methods

• Written Knowledge
• Case Studies
• Presentations
• Role Plays and Practical Demonstrations – Simulated
• Workplace Situation
• Projects

Student Support

ALG provides a variety of support services to students:

LLN Support
Based on the results of the LLN Robot test, ALG will:
– enrol the student in an appropriate course based on the student’s language literacy and numeracy levels;
– offer appropriate support in their selected course including completing recommended strategies from LLN Robot and attending additional learning support classes during term;
– provide customised learning activities to increase the relevant LLN areas through use of a range of strategies e.g. use tasks with embedded LLN skills, creating extension tasks and scaffolding interaction;
– schedule professional development of trainers and assessors on implementing support strategies and the design of learning activities that will facilitate the ongoing development of students’ LLN levels;
– ensure that students LLN capabilities are monitored during the program duration. Trainers and assessors and the learning support tutor will review each student’s LLN ability and their progress with the training and assessment tasks.

LLN Support Classes
ALG will offer LLN classes to assist students with their literacy and communication skills. These classes will run for 1.5 hours a week for 9 weeks each term.

Learning Support Classes
Learning Support classes will be scheduled on week 5 and week 9 of each term (prior to assessments due dates) to support students experiencing difficulties with their studies or assessment tasks. Additional classes may be offered subject to feedback/requests from trainers or students.

Counselling Support
ALG provides a free counselling service on campus. Students can drop in or make an appointment to see a professional counsellor for support with their studies or personal issues. Students book online via alg.edu.au/counsellingservice;

Student Advisors/State Lead Trainers/Trainers/National Course Coordinator
Other support comes from Student Advisors, State Lead Trainers, the allocated trainer/assessor and the National Course Coordinator.
Student Advisors offer support throughout a student’s studies and can help with the following information:

Support services
LLN services
Legal services
Emergency and health services
Facilities and resources
Complaints and appeals processes
Deferments

All students are required to bring their own laptop or tablet device to participate in all theory classes. They are not provided for students. Refer to the BYOD Policy in the student handbook.

Police Check: A clear National Police Check is required to study the Diploma of Community Services. Students are required to provide a clear police check at least 6 weeks prior to the start of their first work placement module. The costs for this check is the responsibility of the student and are not included in course fees.

Click here to download the Timetable for this course.