COMMUNITY SERVICES WORK AND ADVOCACY

> Qualifications & Pathways • Traineeships • VET In Schools • Peak Bodies & Key Stakeholders • Resources

NSW Context

The Community Services Training Package CHC08 identifies a broad range of qualifications in specialty areas such as Alcohol and Other Drugs, Youth Work etc. However within the Training Package, ‘community services work’ is a general term that describes the work undertaken within the community services industry as a whole. Qualifications with the designation community servicesrelate to work that is shared across many job roles and service types. They deliver frameworks for identifying foundational and essential knowledge and skills that characterise cross industry roles at a number of levels.

Various specialty qualifications have the designation ‘Community Services’ in the title but focus on specific areas such as Information, Advice and Referral, Mental Health, Alcohol and other drugs, Case Management and Financial Counselling. Advice for specific areas are found elsewhere in NavigatingNSW.

In NSW, employers would regard a Cert IV through to Advanced Diploma favourably where vocational qualifications are acceptable.

Qualifications and Pathways

CHC40708           Certificate IV in Community Services Work

CHC50608           Diploma of Community Services Work

CHC41008           Certificate IV in Community Services Advocacy

Recognition

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is a significant pathway for candidates to attain a national training package qualification. There has been strong support from Commonwealth and NSW governments for RTOs to find innovative and accessible RPL strategies and approaches.

NSW Department of Education and Training is actively assisting this quest for improved RPL pathways and has worked in partnership across many industry sectors to pilot best practice models of recognition and develop supporting resources.   Some of the innovation recognition pathways trialled included group, project and workplace based models.

Resources and further details are available at https://www.skillsonline.net.au/coagrpl_catalogue.html

Traineeships

The Vocational Training Board establishes traineeships in NSW. Through a consultative process between peak industry groups, employers and unions, facilitated by the ITAB, qualifications are identified that meet industry requirements and have appropriate award arrangements. This information is submitted to the Board for the declaration of a vocational training order in accordance with NSW legislation.

As qualifications have a vocational training order established, they are posted on the NSW DET Commissioner’s Bulletin. Further advice is available from NSW DET http://apprenticeship.det.nsw.edu.au/index1.htm

Current community services work traineeships in NSW are:

CHC41008 Certificate IV in Community Services Advocacy

CHC40708 Certificate IV in Community Services Work

New payroll tax arrangements for apprentices and trainees

New arrangements for the payment of payroll tax for apprentices and trainees in NSW take effect from 1 July 2008.

Currently, wages paid to apprentices and new entrant trainees in NSW are exempt from payroll tax. From 1 July 2008, this exemption will no longer apply and all employers will be required to include the wages and salaries paid to apprentices and new entrant trainees in their payroll tax calculation. Further information available from Office of State Revenue click here

VET in Schools

The above Community Services Work qualifications have not been identified as suitable for VET in Schools pathway.

For more information about VET in Schools in NSW visit: https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/vetinschools/

The NSW Board of Studies is responsible for the inclusion of training package qualifications in the HSC studies. Further information is available at www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au .

Peak Bodies and Key Stakeholders

NCOSS

The Council of Social Service of New South Wales (NCOSS) is the peak body for the social and community services sector in New South Wales. Their members range from the smallest community-based services to the largest welfare organisations. They include refuges, charities, church groups, local councils, consumer organisations, hospitals, and aged, disability and child care services. They also include peak support and advocacy groups that represent services at a regional and statewide level.

Resources

Please contact NSW Community Services and Health ITAB regarding any training and assessment resource needs for the qualifications or skills sets in this industry sector.

NSW Community Services and Health ITAB and NSW DET resources include:

CD Resource for Management Committees and Boards

Easy to understand and customised learning for the not for profit sector
Straightforward menu driven format on CD
Learning includes:

Joining A Board
Selection, Recruitment and Orientation
My Roles and Responsibilities
The Board’s Roles and Responsibilities

Optional activities to make up a portfolio of evidence for assessment against four nationally recognised units of competency
Optional assessment by a Registered Training Organisation to gain a Statement of Attainment for the four nationally recognised units of competency

Best Fit available from:

www.skillsonline.net.au

Ph 02 9244 5073

Certificate IV in Community Services (Service Co-ordination)

self-paced workplace activities available from:

www.skillsonline.net.au

Ph 02 9244 5073

Other resources may be available from industry peaks, National Training Information Service (NTIS), Registered Training Organisations and Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council.

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