Diploma of Community Services - CHC52021

Verbal expression and comprehension (understanding)

What do I need to be able to do?

Understand and respond to verbal communication.

As applicants will work with vulnerable clients, applicants are required to demonstrate good communication skills and present with a calm and engaging demeanour.

In a community services setting, this will assist you with listening, understanding and responding to clients by providing information, gaining and confirming your client’s consent and providing clients the chance to raise issues or concerns.

Verbally communicate clear instructions and explanations in a time responsive way. In a community services setting, verbal communication is the primary source of communication between you, your clients, host organisation supervisors, community groups and other service providers.

Clear communication assists with establishing and maintaining rapport with clients and establishing effective relationships with host organisations, community groups and other service providers.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Additional time allowances for comprehension and expression may be available to you for on-campus learning activities. 

Professional experience placement tasks in a community services setting may require time responsive communication. This should be discussed with your placement coordinator prior to commencement.

Social communication

Social Communication refers to the capacity to understand and use appropriate non-verbal communication such as: eye contact, gestures, facial expression, speaking volume, tone of voice, proximity and verbal turn-taking.

What do I need to be able to do?

Recognise, interpret, use and respond to non-verbal communication appropriately in both on-campus and community services settings to demonstrate understanding, build relationships and establish trust with others.

During work placement activities and on-campus simulation environments, tasks which require your use of social communication abilities include::

• recognising the social communication used by clients and identifying client’s emotional states through their non-verbal cues
• responding to clients by using your own social communication skills, such as open body language, eye contact and facial expressions to display understanding and empathy.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.  

Consideration will be given to the use of non-verbal communication appropriate to your disability or condition for example, if you have a vision or hearing impairment, you may rely more on using either auditory or visual means of social communication.

Reading

What do I need to be able to do?

Read and understand a range of written material in differing forms from a variety of sources such as: on screen material, screen-based and image-based texts.

In a community services setting, essential information is communicated in written form.  Tasks which require your use of reading include: 

• reading and comprehending essential client information which may include client notes and reports
• reading and comprehending referral documents from service providers, resource material and host organisation policy documentation.

The ability to read, understand and interpret written information is fundamental for the delivery of client support and services.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during professional experience work placements may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencement.

Writing (Written Language)

N.B. This refers not to the physical act of writing but rather to the written content.

What do I need to be able to do?

Produce coherent written communication appropriate to both on-campus learning activities and professional experience work placement tasks.

In a community services setting, tasks which require clear, concise, accurate and time-efficient writing include:   

• contributing to client notes and producing client reports
• writing letters, program proposals and program review documentation according to the host organisation standard and protocol, using clear, accurate and objective language.

The accuracy of written notes in a community services context has both professional and legal ramifications.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during professional experience work placements may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencement.

What do I need to be able to do?

Correctly use and apply knowledge of theory and research gained from on-campus learning to practice in the community services setting. 

In a community services setting, client assessment and intervention tasks include:

• undertaking assessment, advocacy and referrals with clients and co-planning with service providers
• demonstrating your capacity to engage with clients with a level of focus and concentration throughout a designated period of duty.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use assistive technology and strategies such as rest breaks to support your memory, planning and organisation in the on-campus learning environment. The use of these strategies during professional experience work placements should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencement.

Mental wellness is a state of well-being in which an individual can realise their own abilities or potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life and can work productively and fruitfully.

Students will need to have resilience and coping strategies in place to manage the potential challenges of the course. Triggers could occur from the intake information and a number of role plays throughout the course, so it is suggested that those with a lived experience of mental health or AOD issues, family violence and other access to community services should be at least 12 months in their recovery or 12 months from being in crisis.

Behavioural stability refers to an individual’s ability to moderate their own behaviour.
Stable mental health promotes optimal and safe engagement in on-campus learning environments. Many people who live with mental health conditions complete their studies successfully. The following services are available to support students living with mental health conditions at RMIT: 

• Equitable Learning Services
• Counselling and Psychological Services

What do I need to be able to do?

The on campus learning environment can be challenging and will require you to engage with peers and teaching staff, reflect on your work and respond appropriately to constructive feedback.

Interpreting simulations can present complex and unpredictable human situations which require the following:

• managing multiple demands with engagement, focus and composure
• undertaking interpreting assessments when your performance will be recorded either in audio or video format in an enclosed sound proof booth room or a small classroom with specialised equipment
• managing client content of a sensitive, confronting or traumatic nature with objectivity and accuracy

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments such can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you. 

Flexible arrangements for your professional experience placement will be considered. The appropriateness and practicality of these arrangements may vary between placements and agencies and should be discussed with your placement coordinator prior to commencement of the placement. 

You may be supported to take time off from your studies if you become unwell or have difficulties with behavioural stability until you are ready to recommence.

You are required to complete a language, literacy and numeracy skills test before course commencement. This will determine course suitability and if you may need additional support.

We use an approved online skills review tool to determine your language, literacy and numeracy skills within Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF)

The levels required for this course include:

• Language and literacy: 4
• Numeracy: 3