Welcome to the Diploma of Community Services - 5 Day RPL
From time to time Alphacrucis College is able to offer the RPL Diploma of Community Services, a unique program designed to equip people to think and act differently regarding community transformation.
5 Day RPL - People with community services experience have the opportunity to obtain an accredited Diploma of Community Services by participating in a 5 day RPL. This RPL mode draws upon your many years of community engagement ministry experience and provides quality gap training.
The Diploma of Community Services is endorsed by the ACC Community Engagement Director, Pastor Paul Bartlett, and is based on the TGIM Community Engagement Model, outlining the latest best practice in community engagement. It is specifically designed for experienced community workers and those who have experience in church based community services work.
Dates for 2019
Brisbane 9-13 September 2019
Sydney 16-20 September 2019
Applying for RPL
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process through which the skills, knowledge and experience that you already have may count towards the achievement of a nationally recognised qualification. Sometimes also referred to as 'skills recognition', RPL involves a formal assessment process, focusing on your ability to demonstrate that you have the required level of skills, knowledge and experience to meet the requirements for competency in the unit/s within the qualification.
Students join a supportive cohort of experienced people from a variety of community services to share best practice and learn from one another. They also receive teaching and input from the best trainers and some of the great leaders in our movement.
There are 3 steps in the RPL process:
Step 1 – Application
Students complete the RPL Application Form, providing as much information of their previous experience in community engagement as they can.
Additional documents required with the application:
- Birth Certificate or Passport
- CV (including details of 5+ years of community experience)
Step 2 – Gather the Evidence
Once students have applied and been accepted into the course they are sent Templates and instructions requesting three References and Wellness Instruments. They also start working on an Evidence Checklist which refers to their work in the Diploma of Community Services Unit areas.
They will be required to provide short answer responses, that are specific in detail and context, to a substantial number of questions. These responses would include examples of: Place - the organisation worked for or volunteered with; Position - the role had at the time; and People – those the student supported i.e. clients, staff, community organisations etc. They also need to provide, for example, copies of specified policies and procedures and a Safer Churches Certificate.
This will all be clearly communicated prior to the course commencement. It is also detailed in the Evidence Checklist and explained in more detail throughout the Intensive.
Step 3 – One Week Intensive
If the appropriate evidence has been submitted, students are invited to attend the one-week intensive to finalise the RPL process. During this week they hear from leading practitioners in Community Engagement, Ethics and Leadership.
Commencing with an orientation dinner on the Monday evening, the course runs full time over Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and concludes early Friday afternoon. AC provides dinner on the Monday evening, and lunch, morning and afternoon tea for the balance of the course.
Would you like more Information?
Email: community.services@ac.edu.au
Phone: 02 8893 9077 and speak with Lee.
In choosing to study community services you will be empowered to make a difference in the lives of both individuals and communities! We look forward to hearing from you.
Ps Leeanne Cameron
Program Director - Community Services
This qualification reflects the roles of community services, case management and social housing workers involved in the managing, co-ordinating and/or delivering of person-centred services to individuals, groups and communities.
At this level, workers have specialised skills in community services and work autonomously under broad directions from senior management. Workers are usually providing direct support to individuals or groups of individuals. Workers may also have responsibility for the supervision of other workers and volunteers and/or case management; program coordination or the development of new business opportunities.
Note that in Victoria the Statutory & forensic child, youth & family welfare specialisation must be achieved in order to meet the minimum education requirements for child protection and youth justice practice. In addition, to meet the minimum education requirements for entry into child protection practice in Victoria, diploma qualifications must be approved by the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA).
To achieve this qualification, the candidate must have completed at least 100 hours of work as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of units of competency.
TIPS AND HINTS TO HELP YOU PREPARE FOR RECOGNITION
To have skills formally recognised in the national system, assessors must make sure you have the skills and knowledge to meet the industry standard. This means you must be involved in a careful and comprehensive process that covers the content of all unit/s or qualification/s you can be recognised for.
Assessment happens in a variety of ways. Being prepared can save you valuable time and hassle and make the recognition process stress-free for you.
Here are some tips and hints for you:
Be prepared to talk about your job roles and your work history. Submit a resume with as much detail about where you have worked, either paid or unpaid, and what you did there.
- Include your position description and any performance appraisals you have from any churches you have worked in.
- Consider the possibilities for workplace contact. Are you in a workplace that is supporting your goal to get qualified? Would you feel comfortable to have the assessor contact your workplace or previous workplaces so your skills can be validated?
- Think about who can confirm your skill level. Think about current or recent supervisors who have seen you work in the past 18 months and will be able to confirm your skills. The assessor will need to contact them. You may also have community contacts or even clients themselves who can vouch for your skill level.
- Collect any certificates from in-house training or formal training you have done in the past.
Units
| CHCCCS007 |
Develop and implement service programs |
| CHCCOM003 |
Develop workplace communication strategies |
| CHCDEV002 |
Analyse impacts of sociological factors on clients in community work and services |
| CHCDIV003 |
Manage and promote diversity |
| CHCLEG003 |
Manage legal and ethical compliance |
| CHCMGT005 |
Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes |
| CHCPRP003 |
Reflect on and improve own professional practise |
| HLTWHS004 |
Manage work health and safety |
| CHCCDE010 |
Develop and lead community engagement strategies and enhance participation |
| CHCCDE009 |
Develop and support community leadership |
| CHCFAM003 |
Support people to improve relationships |
| BSBWOR502 |
Lead and manage team effectiveness |
| CHCGRP002 |
Plan and conduct group activities |
| CHCPRT001 |
Identify and respond to children and young people at risk |
| LEDWLD501 |
Understand and develop a worldview |
| MINPAS507A |
Implement and evaluate ministry function |
For those not eligible for the RPL option, CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services will also be offered through a mixture of intensives and online.
Entry Requirements
IELTS
For prospective students from a non-English speaking background, an IELTS Score of 5.5 (or demonstrate equivalent English proficiency) is recommended.
Academic Entry Requirements
Nil. It is recommended students have a minimum of year 10, or equivalent. Students without a year 10 level, should demonstrate at least five years of community involvement. Each participant is required to complete the RPL Experience Checklist.
Important:
VET Student Loans will not be approved for students who do not meet eligibility requirements. A VET student loan gives rise to a HELP debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth until it is repaid.
Fees★
Local Students: AU$8320.00
Complete Fee Schedules and FEE-HELP information (where appropriate) for all Alphacrucis courses can be found in our Documents section, under the Fees and FEE-HELP Information link.
★Important: The total cost is based on students enrolling in the complete course or qualification for the standard delivery stream on offer. Fees are actually set on a per unit level, so that the total cost of an award is [number of units in award] x [cost of units]. Accordingly, the total cost of an award will vary depending on the units chosen. International students are required to enrol in the complete course or qualification. The fees are subject to change. Please contact Alphacrucis for an up to date fee schedule.
Australian Skills Quality Authority Information
- Legal name: Alphacrucis College Limited
- RTO National code: 90525
