Certificate IV in Relationship Education

This qualification covers workers who are employed in a range of family and relationship education services across a broad range of agencies. Most work is undertaken with clients face to face, often with more than one client or couple at a time. This work usually involves the delivery of existing programs with clearly identified information, education and skill development outcomes. Some work can be undertaken on a more individual or couple basis and can contain aspects of case management and outreach work.

Work at this level is in prevention and early intervention. Workers at this level do not undertake clinical or complex therapeutic interventions. The role is that of education and skill development, not counselling.

Key skills and knowledge for this work include the ability to work effectively in the area of family and relationship work, effective communication skills, conflict management and group facilitation and program planning and delivery.

Practitioners working with specific client groups also need to be able to demonstrate the ability to work effectively with those specific groups. Client groups may include but are not limited to men, women, couples, parents, young people, children and families. Client groups are highly diverse, especially in relation to cultural backgrounds and family structures. A broad understanding of family and family arrangements is fundamental to this work.

Examples of relationship education programs include programs on communication and relationships for school age children, sessions with couples intending to marry, education and skills training in relationships and parenting for groups and relationship enrichment programs for couples.

Workers in this area are required to deliver services to clients with a wide range of personal and relationship issues and need to be able to distinguish between clients who are appropriate for education programs and those needing critical intervention and /or referral. These workers need to respond appropriately to clients involved in, for example, domestic/ family violence, abuse, gambling, alcohol and other drugs and mental health issues.

Occupational titles for these workers may include:

Community education worker

Group worker

Education officer

Marriage and family educator

Family relationship support worker

Men's service officer

Family relationship worker

Neighbourhood centre worker

Family skills worker

Parent educator

Family support worker

Program development worker

Fathers worker

Relationship, marriage and/or family educator


Subjects

PACKAGING RULES

14 units of competency are required for award of this qualification, including:

9 core units

5 elective units

A wide range of elective units is available, including:

Group A elective which is recommended for culturally aware and respectful practice

Other relevant electives listed below

Units of competency to address workplace requirements and packaged at the level of this qualification or higher in Community Services and/or Health Training Packages

Where appropriate, to address workplace requirements, up to 3 units of competency packaged at the level of this qualification or higher in other relevant Training Packages or accredited courses where the details of those courses are available on the NTIS or other public listing

Core units

add topic CHCCOM403A Use targeted communication skills to build relationships

add topic CHCDFV301A Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence

add topic CHCFAM406B Engage and resource clients to improve their interpersonal relationships

add topic CHCFAM407B Work effectively in relationship work

add topic CHCFAM408B Undertake relationship and family work in the context of the agency and sector

add topic CHCGROUP403D Plan and conduct group activities

add topic HLTHIR403C Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers

add topic HLTOHS300B Contribute to OHS processes

add topic TAEDEL401A Plan, organise and deliver group-based learning

The importance of culturally aware and respectful practice

All workers undertaking work in relationship education need foundation knowledge to inform their work with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and co-workers and with clients and co-workers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. This foundation must be provided and assessed as part of a holistic approach to delivery and assessment of this qualification. Specific guidelines for assessment of this aspect of competency are provided in the Assessment Guidelines for the Community Services Training Package.

Group A elective - recommended for culturally aware and respectful practice

Where work involves a specific focus on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients or communities, the following elective is recommended:

add topic HLTHIR404D Work effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

Other relevant electives

Electives are to be selected in line with specified Packaging Rules. The grouping of electives below is intended to facilitate selection. Electives may be selected from one or more groups. Employers may specify certain electives as required to address specific workplace needs.

Work practice electives

add topic CHCAD401D Advocate for clients

add topic CHCCH427A Work effectively with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness

add topic CHCCM503C Develop, facilitate and monitor all aspects of case management

add topic CHCCS407B Operate referral procedures

add topic CHCCS427A Facilitate adult learning and development

add topic CHCCSL501A Work within a structured counselling framework

add topic CHCFAM417B Identify and use strengths-based practice

add topic CHCLLN403A Identify clients with language, literacy and numeracy needs and respond effectively

add topic CHCMH411A Work with people with mental health issues

add topic CHCNET404A Facilitate links with other services

Working with groups

add topic CHCCS401B Facilitate responsible behaviour

add topic CHCFAM416B Implement harm reduction strategies (Note pre-requisites: CHCFAM406B , CHCFAM407B , CHCGROUP403D , CHCDFV301A )

add topic CHCGROUP408B Facilitate and review a psycho-educational group

add topic CHCGROUP410B Deliver a structured program

Working cross-culturally

add topic HLTHIR404D Work effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

add topic RTD4802A Develop approaches to include cultural and human diversity

Working effectively in an organisation

add topic CHCINF302C Maintain the organisation's information systems

add topic CHCORG405D Maintain an effective work environment

Working with individuals and couples

add topic CHCFAM409B Work with men

add topic CHCFAM411B Engage fathers into family based programs (Note pre-requisites: CHCFAM407B , CHCGROUP403D )

add topic CHCFAM412B Work with women

add topic CHCFAM413B Facilitate couple processes within group work

add topic CHCFAM414B Use tools for exploring relationships

Working with families

add topic CHCCHILD404A Support the rights and safety of children and young people

add topic CHCCS404B Facilitate family intervention strategies

add topic CHCCS414A Provide education and support on parenting, health and well being

add topic CHCFAM421B Work with parents of very young children

add topic CHCFAM503B Work with a child focused approach

add topic CHCRF402B Provide intervention support to children and families

add topic CHCRF511A Work in partnership with families to provide appropriate care for children

add topic CHCRF624C Support parents in their parenting role (Note pre-requisite: CHCRF511A )

add topic CHCYTH301E Work effectively with young people

add topic CHCYTH403B Support young people to create opportunities in their lives

add topic CHCYTH511B Work effectively with young people and their families


Pathways...

    Not Applicable


Entry Requirements

Not Applicable


Licensing Information

Not Applicable


Employability Skills

Refer to the Topic: Introduction to the Employability Skills Qualification Summaries