Diploma of Community Services (Statutory & Forensic Child, Youth & Family Welfare Specialisation) (ACWA Accredited)

If you have a passion for working with your community, then the Diploma of Community Services is for you. This Diploma is STATUTORY & FORENSIC CHILD, YOUTH & FAMILY WELFARE specialisation which allows you to work in various roles across the community and social services sector with a focus on supporting, children, young people and families. This course is Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA) accredited and this specialisation is the preferred course for working in Child Protection within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
With this qualification you can also work in:
Family Violence
Out of Home Care
Child, youth and family services
Youth work
School welfare
And other related areas.
Workers with this qualification 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.

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 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 Victoria.
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).

Did you know: The Victorian Government has now made Free TAFE courses even more accessible for new students enrolling for study in 2023. All Free TAFE courses at TAFE Gippsland are now available to people with higher-level qualifications and those who have completed a previous Free TAFE course and are looking to continue in their selected training pathway. Conditions and eligibility rules apply. Check out our Free TAFE information page for further details.

Community Care Manager, Coordinator of Volunteer Work, Team Leader, Care Team Leader, Family Services Coordinator, Support Facilitator (Community Services), Community Housing Resources Worker, Community Development Worker for Social Housing, Community Recreation Coordinator, Housing Manager, Housing Assistant, Assistant Community Worker, Community Worker, Aboriginal Housing Worker, Community Services Coordinator, Case Coordinator (Disability), Youth Housing Support Worker, Family Support Worker, Community Access Coordinator, Pastoral Care Counsellor, Aboriginal Neighbourhood House Coordinator, Case Coordinator (Community Services), Welfare Support Worker, Senior Youth Worker, Disability Team Leader, Support Facilitator (Disability), Community Housing Worker, Community Work Coordinator, Early Intervention Worker, Community Program Coordinator, Pastoral Care Worker, Assistant Community Services Worker, Support Advisor

120 Credit Points in the Bachelor Community and Human Services with Federation University. Guaranteed entry.
Students can apply for credit with other universities.

The course will develop your skills to manage, coordinate and deliver person centred, strengths based services to individuals, groups and communities. You will also develop skills to enable you to supervise other workers and volunteers.

Are there specified requirements for entry into the course/qualification?: Yes

Mandatory entry requirements:

For Case Management Stream:
Applicants must be currently be working in the sector.
Mature aged- over 18 years of age
Must have clear Police Check and WWCC.
For Forensic Statutory Stream:
Applicants must complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy test as well as a Pre-Training Review to determine whether they are suitable for this course.
Applicants then must undertake an interview and also meet the below requirements:
Year 11 pass or Mature age
Must have clear Police Check and Working With Children Check.
Full Drivers licence
Student must be prepared to provide certificate of COVID vaccination due to placement requirements.

Recommended entry Requirements:

Reliable internet connectivity
Suitable technology e.g computer, video capabilities to participate in Online classes and simulated practical assessments
Suitable levels of digital literacy

Limitations to course Entry:

For Forensic Statutory Stream:
Limited numbers due to the specificities of placement.
Current service user.

• Working with children check
• Police check

Will this course/qualification or a constituent unit provide a pathway to an industry licence or regulated outcome: true

For the Statutory & Forensic Child, Youth & Family Welfare Specialisation Stream :
This qualification is ACWA (Australian Community Workers Association) accredited which means students receiving this qualification are eligible for membership into that organisation. It also allows for students who have completed to apply for positions in Child Protection under DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services)
For Case Management Stream :
Certified Practicing Case Manager with the Case Management Society of Australia and New Zealand if the student has also practised for at least 12 months (1824 hours) in the last 3 years.