Informed Choices - Community Services

Observational skills – this includes the ability to: 

• notice changes in people’s behaviour
• identify safety hazards, risks and unsafe behaviours and responses
• observe and understand non-verbal cues (e.g. facial expressions, body language)
• identify signs of verbal distress and/or aggression

 Communication skills – this includes the ability to: 

• communicate effectively with a range of people (e.g. clients, co-workers) 
• use appropriate language and respect when working with people from different cultures 
• listen attentively to what is being said, including instructions 
• read and understand written information
• understand and follow written and verbal instructions
• understand and respond to verbal and non-verbal communication
• write clear communication appropriate to the situation
• use technology to communicate (e.g. computer for reports, emails, documents) 
• communicate and work with other people as a team
• able to give clear direction when communicating 

Technical and/or Motor skills – this includes the ability to: 

• able to use computers 
• ability to learn new computer processes such as logging into SM TAFE apps
• downloading assessments, navigating the Internet and uploading documents
• working within Microsoft Word documents

Cognitive/intellectual skills – this includes the ability to:

• understand other people’s perspectives/opinions and respect their choices. 
• gather, understand and organise information 
• use your own judgment / basic problem-solving skills (e.g. to respond to immediate safety risks or where a client demonstrates concerning behaviours) 
• ability to monitor own behaviour within an adult classroom environment
• maintain a sufficient level of concentration to complete an activity/task or to work with a client or group 
• be attentive in interaction with others (e.g. to identify risks, to identify changes) 
• perform tasks within reasonable time frames 
• ability to self-reflect and adjust own behaviours and responses
• ability to understand and apply legislation, code of practice and standards

Behavioural and social skills – this includes the ability to: 

• demonstrate tolerance, patience and willingness to work with people from different backgrounds and cultures 
• demonstrate professional behaviour in the classroom
• control your emotions and reactions and withhold personal opinions
• tolerate close proximity with individuals
• interact with all genders 
• respect personal and professional boundaries – including use of social media
• adapt to change 
• take responsibility for own actions
• maintain confidentiality
• the ability to work autonomously (on your own)
• adhere to SM TAFE under 18 years requirements e.g. parent or guardian permission if attending excursions
• adhere to the SM TAFE Student Code of Conduct at all times and with all interactions with SM TAFE staff and other students

The language, literacy & numeracy requirements are core skills for all job roles at all levels. The Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) indicates that the five core skill areas are reading, writing, numeracy, oral communication and learning which we apply in our personal and community; workplace and employment; and education and training. 

Some of the core language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) skills for entry into this industry are:

Learning

• legal and ethical guidelines of work
• understand human needs
• individual differences
• service standards
• safety policies and procedures

Reading 

• reading and understanding service policies
• procedures and work instructions
• industry-specific terminology and symbols
• workplace safety signs

Writing 

• completing forms and documents
• work health and safety reports
• taking messages

Oral Communication 

• active listening skills
• communicating with clients and their family 
• communicating with clients who have impaired communication
• effective questioning
• phone skills
• providing information to team members

Numeracy 

• able to manage a work roster including attending classes on time
• meeting assessment due dates as per the information provided

Problem-Solving 

• identify and respond to client’s needs and behaviours to meet their needs or requests

Technology

• use software to update work notes
• record using reporting forms such as work health and safety reporting

Below are some of the important individual personal skills students need to demonstrate during training and are highly valued by the industry. Below are examples of the skills you need to demonstrate:

Communication

• develop and maintain relationships, trust and confidence
• communicate with a range of people from different backgrounds
• negotiate with distressed people
• communicate in groups (meetings)
• provide support and direction to others 

Teamwork

• work with other people for a common outcome
• respect for other people and their role within the work team
• accept direction and feedback for own performance

Problem-solving

• identify potential problems and respond appropriately
• ask questions and seek clarification when necessary
• negotiate for common outcomes
• provide and transmit solutions

Initiative and enterprise 

• motivation and interest
• the ability to seek assistance when necessary
• foresight / the ability to see what needs to be done

Planning and organising

• appropriate time management skills
• prioritise, plan and organise your own workload
• support others in the workplace to manage their activities 

Self-management

• seek feedback and reflect on your own performance
• accept responsibility for own actions
• manage assessment due dates and class attendance time

Learning

• ability to identify your own strengths and weaknesses and seek assistance where necessary
• the ability and motivation to build on past knowledge and experience
• take on new information and tasks

Technology

• the ability to learn and adapt to new technology
• the ability to access information and use digital media for study and work

As part of your course you are required to complete vocational placement (work placement) is required for the following qualifications: 

• CHC42021 Certificate IV in Community Services: minimum of 120 hours vocational placement 
• CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services: minimum of 240 hours vocational placement
• CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health: minimum of 80 hours of vocational placement in a Mental Health Recovery service
• CHC50421 Diploma of Youth Work: minimum of 200 hours vocational placement
• CHC51122 Diploma of Financial Counselling: minimum of 220 hours of vocational placement

The placement is arranged / negotiated by the South Metropolitan TAFE. Students will be provided with forms and a vocational placement log book to record their placement. The workplace also needs to complete the forms prior to commencing work placement. It is an industry requirement that students on placement be aged 18 or over. However, for the following qualifications, the age requirements are as follows:

• CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health: minimum age of 25 years.
• CHC50421 Diploma of Youth Work: minimum age of 21 years.

Please note, during placement you may be required to provide personal care needs to both male and female patients

Students will be required to: 

• complete a satisfactory Criminal History check / National Police Clearance (NPC) prior to placement
• travel to an appropriate organisation to complete vocational placement
• attend vocational placement at times that may be out of normal business hours e.g. 8am – 5.30pm

All students must understand their workplace health and safety obligations and safety requirements under the following:

• WA Occupational Safety & Health Act 1984 which imposes obligations on people at workplaces to ensure workplace health and safety
• Occupational Safety & Health Regulations 1996 (WA) which describes what must be done to prevent or control certain hazards that cause injury, illness or death
• Codes of Practice, which are designed to give practical advice about ways to manage exposure to risks common to the industry

All students must be able to participate in Risk Assessments, Incident Reports and Hazard Identification.

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