This qualification may be used as a pathway qualification into community services work and may apply specifically to:
Workers who support individuals by providing a first point of contact in a crisis situation and referral to a broad range of services, or
Workers in residential facilities and/or in community services under direct or regular supervision within clearly defined organisation guidelines and service plans.
Workers at this level:
May provide assistance and support to clients accessing a service or experiencing issues such as alcohol and/or other drug issues
Assist people in meeting their immediate needs e.g. by providing shelter and food
Provide short-term contact with clients in a crisis situation during which time they establish a helping relationship to define the crisis and provide referral information where appropriate
May provide ancillary services such as catering, cleaning, laundry, gardening and home maintenance
Report directly to a supervisor and are not responsible for other workers.
These positions may have direct contact with clients, identify presenting needs and refer to appropriate services and support.
This qualification may provide an appropriate pathway into higher level qualifications, such as those in aged care, disability and home and community care.
Occupational titles may include:
Assistant community services workers
Housekeeping assistant
Care service employee
Laundry assistant
Contact officers
Night/community patrol workers
Customer service staff
Personal care assistant
Domestic assistant
Provision of emergency relief
Gardener/grounds person
Reception/front desk staff
Home helper
Support worker
Subjects
PACKAGING RULES
11 units are required for award of this qualification including:
5 core units
6 elective units
A wide range of elective units is available, including:
Relevant electives listed below
Units of competency to address workplace requirements and packaged at the level of this qualification or higher in Community Services and/or Health Training Packages
Where appropriate, to address workplace requirements, up to 2 units of competency packaged at the level of this qualification or higher in other relevant Training Packages or accredited courses where the details of those courses are available on the TGA or other public listing
Packaging to address identified work roles:
Some industry sectors have identified certain electives recommended for specific areas of work
These electives are included in the table below
Core units
CHCCS211B Prepare for work in the community sector
CHCCOM201C Communicate with people accessing the services of the organisation
CHCORG201C Follow policies, procedures and programs of the organisation
CHCWHS312A Follow WHS safety procedures for direct care work
The importance of culturally aware and respectful practice
All workers undertaking work in community services need foundation knowledge to inform their work with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and co-workers and with clients and co-workers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. This foundation must be provided and assessed as part of a holistic approach to delivery and assessment of this qualification. Specific guidelines for assessment of this aspect of competency are provided in the Assessment Guidelines for the Community Services Training Package.
Relevant electives
Electives are to be selected in line with specified Packaging Rules. Relevant electives are listed below. Employers may specify that certain electives are required to address specific workplace needs.
Electives recommended for specific areas of work are shown in the following table.
Elective groups shown in this table are recommended, but not necessarily required for work in the areas identified on the right
