Diploma of Community Services

• Flexible Learning: Online theory classes with on-campus simulation workshops.
• Guaranteed Placement: Gain hands-on experience with professional placements.
• Monthly Intakes: New batches starting every month.
• Comprehensive Student Support: 24/7 access to resources, personalised guidance, and career support.
• Industry Connections: Network with healthcare leaders and gain real-world exposure.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Train with the latest equipment in modern learning environments

20 Units are required for the award for this qualification including:

• 12 core units
• 8 elective units

CORE UNITS

ELECTIVE UNITS

Blended: online real time theory tutorials with on campus skills training in a simulation environment)

The course is provided through blended mode of delivery. It will be delivered over 1410 hours including theory, tutorial,simulations and formative activities (925 hours), summative assessment (155 hours) and 400 hours of professional experience placement (PEP).Besides the above structured learning, students are advised that they will be required to do unstructured learning as assigned.

Professional Experience Placement (PEP)is an essential component of some of the units of this qualification. IHNA Guarantees Professional Experience Placement for all its student studying Diploma of Community Services. Students will commence the 400 hours of placement (PEP) upon completing all theory assessments including simulation-based assessments (SBA). During the PEP, students will apply the required essential knowledge and skills to demonstrate competency for each unit of this qualification.

Students are meant to complete the work placement in 2 different organisations that cater to different types of clients.

• Placement 1: 160 hours of PEP will be completed after completing theory in semester 3.
• Placement 2: 240 hours of PEP will be completed at another institution after completing Placement 1.

An IHNA trainer and assessor will monitor the student’s progress during the PEP. All PEPs are arranged by IHNA’s designated placement coordinator. Students may arrange PEP by themselves if preferred, as agreed with and in consultation with, the course coordinator.

Note: Where a student breaches the PEP requirements as stated in the Entry Requirements, they could be excluded from their PEP. IHNA will not be responsible for any such exclusion.

There are no formal entry requirements for this course; however, applicants should demonstrate ability to perform tasks as required by the industry.

IHNA Admission Requirements

• 18 years of age and above at the time of commencement of the course*
• Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 course or equivalent.

*Mature age students (22+) may also be considered without the minimum education requirements. Each case will be reviewed individually to ascertain the capacity of the applicant to meet course requirements.

Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital (LLND)

All IHNA students must complete the Language, Literacy, Numeracy, and Digital (LLND) assessment to ensure that students meet the necessary requirements for successfully undertaking the course. IHNA administers the LLND test to evaluate each student’s suitability.

Digital Literacy

1. Basic computer skills covering the most common usages of a computer, including managing computer files, word processing, using spreadsheets and databases; creating presentations; finding information and communicating using computers; and being aware of social and ethical implications of Internet use.
2. Having own computer (desktop or laptop) to facilitate the training and assessment.

Professional Experience Placement (PEP) Requirements

• A satisfactory National Police Clearance (NCC) or Australian Federal Police (AFP) Clearance certificate
• Immunisation records
• Working with Children Check (WWCC)
• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Clearance

Students must declare a disability or disorder (if any), or if they are on any medication which may require reasonable adjustments.

Our approach is to collect evidence on whether the student can perform to the standards of the workplace. This is based on the relevant unit of competency, and you’ll find these tools being used:

• Theory Assessment
• Simulation Based Assessments (SBA)
• Professional Experience Placement (PEP)

The 20 units included in this course have been grouped into 6 different skill sets. They are:

• Managing Community Workplace Requirements
  • CHCLEG003 Manage legal and ethical compliance
  • HLTWHS003 Maintain work health and safety
  • CHCDIV001 Work with Diverse people
  • CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
• Communication Skills
  • CHCCSL002 Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interviewing skills
  • CHCMGT005 Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes
• Research and Application of New Skills
  • CHCPOL003 Research and apply evidence to practice
  • CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice
  • CHCCS007 Develop and implement service programs
• Crisis Management
  • CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations
  • CHCDFV001 Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence
• Case Management
  • CHCCSM009 Facilitate goal directed planning
  • CHCCSM010 Implement case management practice
  • CHCDEV004 Confirm client developmental status
  • CHCCCS004 Assess co-existing needs
  • CHCCSM016 Undertake complex case requirements
• Community Service Provision
  • CHCCDE028 Work within organisation and government structures to enable community development outcomes
  • CHCDEV005 Analyse impacts of sociological factors on people in community work and services
  • CHCCSM013 Facilitate and review case management

The rationale for creating skill sets is to offer students exit points which may lead to gaining a specific set of skills and credit for units in relevant undergraduate-level courses.

With RPL we assess your competency based on formal, non-formal, informal learning or direct work experience based on the required knowledge and skills of the course.

We use CT where you’ve completed units of study at another TAFE College or Registered Training Organisation that meet the requirements of another course. We grant credit according to the Certification, Issuing, and Recognition of Qualifications and Statements of Attainment. Assessing a CT is free.

If you’re eligible for RPL or CT you may be able to complete the course in a shorter duration with reduction to total course fees. Check your eligibility with us.

What is a L – Portfolio?

L – Portfolio is a collection of work, skills and interests (evidence) in an electronic format that showcases learning and experience over time.

When you think about your L-Portfolio and the types of evidence that it contains, it is important to think carefully about its purpose and intended audience.

Your L-Portfolio may contain all or some of the following:

• Files of various formats (text, pictures, video, etc.)
• Evidence related to courses taken, programs of study, etc.
• Writing samples (which might include several drafts to show development and improvement)
• Projects prepared for class or extracurricular activities
• Evidence of creativity and performance
• Evidence of extracurricular or co-curricular activities, including examples of leadership
• Evaluations, analysis and recommendations

Uses of L-Portfolio

Recognition of Prior Learning application:

Our RPL tool is in the form of an L-Portfolio, and allows students to put on record all their life experiences, interests and skills. Not only will their academic achievement be listed out, but also any life experiences that could potentially be taken into account for extra credit as Recognition of Prior Learning. For instance, an individual who has taken care of his or her bedridden parent has already gained valuable caregiver experience, which could be chalked up against practical expertise and added to their resume.

This L-Portfolio could be sent to employers when applying for work, to universities while applying for extra credits through RPL, or in any other ways to market their expertise.

Showcase/Professional L Portfolios

These L-Portfolios are used as a way to demonstrate (showcase) the highlights of a student’s academic and professional career.

Learning Portfolios

These portfolios are typically created by a student as part of a course as a way to demonstrate learning and the learning process. These portfolios are often shared with other students to elicit peer feedback. Learning portfolios support the idea of formative feedback as an essential part of the learning process.

1. Application: Submit your online application by clicking “Enrol Now” on the top right corner of the course page.
2. Interview: Once you’ve met IHNA’s eligibility criteria you will be contacted for an interview with an admissions consultant
3. Offer Letter: If you’re successful with the interview you will be offered a place for the course as per the availability of each intake.
4. Enrolment Fee: After signing the offer acceptance an invoice will be issued for the course. You may be eligible for government funding, so please call our team to know more.
5. Confirmation of Admission: We will issue a conformation of admission once the enrolment fee has been received.

Call us on 1800 22 52 83 for any questions regarding your application.

• How long will it take to complete this course?

  Duration of the course is 78 weeks (18 Months).

• Can I study at my own time ?

  Yes, you can study at your own time however if you are a domestic student receiving government funding it is mandatory that you attend classes.

• Do I need to visit campus for any session ?

  Domestic students are required to attend classes online. You may have to come to campus to complete the PEP for HLTWHS003 in semester 1 or choose to complete it in Sem 3 during PEP.

• Can I do the practical assessment or Simulation based assessment (SBA) at campus?

  SBAs (Simulation Based Assessments) can be done online.

• Is there any flexibility in attending SBA ?

  Ideally it would be best to attend the SBA when it is scheduled by the trainer. Some of the SBAs require an audience which may be difficult to achieve if all the students do not show up for SBA at the scheduled time.

• Do you Offer professional experience placement (PEP)?

  IHNA (Institute of Health and Nursing Australia) assists students in finding placement. However, we highly recommend students to volunteer at a community service organisation which might to lead to gaining work placement or even a job.

• Can I do 1 day in Morning batch and remaining sessions on Evening batch?

  Students should stick to morning or evening batch. It’s not recommended that students switch. If student cannot make it on the scheduled time because of extenuating circumstances, then they can attend the other session or listen to the recording.

• If I choose the morning 5-day class batch, in case I am unable to attend any 1-day class, can I study it on my own time?

  Yes, you can catch up what you missed by listening to recordings and contacting the trainer on support days.

• Is the PEP flexible?

  PEP is flexible in terms of which days you complete the placement. The total number of hours to be completed and the activities to be completed are not negotiable. You can do more than the required hours but not less than the stipulated 240 hours.

• Are the SBA and PEP mandatory?

  Yes, SBA and PEP are mandatory.

• How many days I must attend class? Is there any flexibility in attending class?

  Classes are scheduled on Monday to Friday, Thursday and Friday from 9am 1 pm AEST and 5 pm to 9pm AEST, Lecture and tutorial classes run from Monday to Thursday. Friday is support session. Student engagement is mandatory in all five days. It can be captured through attending classes, completing activities in canvas and completing assessments in student hub.

• Can I fast track this study?

  You can fast track if you have RPL or credit transfer for some of the units. If you are a full fee-paying student, you can fast track it.

• Can I get RPL or credit transfer?

  RPL and credit transfer is possible provided you have the proper evidence to prove you have the relevant knowledge and skills.

• Can I complete the course fully online without attending class?

  The course has PEP which is face to face in a relevant workplace. Theory and simulation can be completed online.

• Is there any pre-recorded session?

  Pre-recorded session for all units are available to students in canvas.

• Is it mandatory to attend full day class?

  It’s not mandatory to attend full day of class but it is important to show evidence of participation by engaging in class, completing canvas activities and engaging with trainers

• Is there any problem if I missed 01 – 02-hour class on a scheduled day?

  Students will be able to catch up if they miss a one or two hours. However, its ideal not to miss the first couple of hours.

• What software proficiency I will learn in SBA?

  You will be using 3 different platform to complete the course, Student hub, Canvas and MS office suite.