Diploma of Community Development

This qualification applies to community development work that aims to facilitate community members working together to influence and guide the future of their community. Work includes assisting community members to develop techniques and frameworks to facilitate this process.

Work functions may include:

Building community networks

Providing advocacy services

Defining community priorities

Providing planning services

Empowering individuals and communities

Resourcing the community to meet needs

Facilitating support and social action groups

Undertaking needs assessment

Improving quality of life

Working towards social justice

Increasing people's skills

Working with self help groups

It defines the knowledge and skills for community development workers who work under broad direction from senior managers.

Occupational titles may include:

Community builder

Neighbourhood centre manager

Community development officer

Outcomes manager

Community housing resources worker

Project manager

Economic development manager

Settlement worker


Subjects

PACKAGING RULES

15 units are required for award of this qualification including:

9 core units

6 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 BSBPMG510A Manage projects

add topic CHCCD508C Support community action

add topic CHCCD509C Support community leadership

add topic CHCCD514A Implement community development strategies

add topic CHCCD515A Communicate effectively within a community development context

add topic CHCCD516A Work within organisation and government structures to enable community development outcomes

add topic CHCLD514A Analyse impacts of sociological factors on clients in community work and services

add topic CHCPOL403B Undertake research activities

ANDoneof the following units:

add topic CHCCS502B Maintain legal and ethical work practices

OR

add topic CHCCS522A Address complex legal and ethical issues in professional practice (Note pre-requisite CHCCS400B )

The importance of culturally aware and respectful practice

All workers undertaking community development work 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

This qualification has been structured (through the Entry requirements) to provide a specific focus on culturally diverse clients. Where work also involves a specific focus on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients or communities, candidates are recommended to select the following unit:

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. Employers may specify that certain electives are required to address specific workplace needs.

add topic CHCAD504A Provide advocacy and representation services

add topic CHCAD603A Provide systems advocacy services

add topic CHCADMIN403D Undertake administrative work

add topic CHCCD402A Develop and provide community education projects

add topic CHCCD420A Work to empower Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities

add topic CHCCD615A Develop and implement community development strategies

add topic CHCCD618B Facilitate the development of community capacity to manage place

add topic CHCCD619B Establish and maintain community, government and business partnerships

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

add topic CHCCOM504A Develop, implement and promote effective workplace communication

add topic CHCCS400B Work within a relevant legal and ethical framework

add topic CHCCS421A Undertake community sector work within own community

add topic CHCCS422A Respond holistically to client issues and refer appropriately

add topic CHCCS506A Promote and respond to workplace diversity

add topic CHCCSL501A Work within a structured counselling framework

add topic CHCCW503A Work intensively with clients

add topic CHCGROUP403D Plan and conduct group activities

add topic CHCINF505C Meet statutory and organisation information requirements

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

add topic CHCNET404A Facilitate links with other services

add topic CHCNET503C Develop new networks

add topic CHCORG428A Reflect on and improve own professional practice

add topic CHCPOL504B Develop and implement policy

add topic CHCPOL505B Manage research activities

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

add topic LGACOM502B Devise and conduct community consultations

add topic PSPMNGT605B Manage diversity

The following grouping of relevant electives is provided to facilitate selection and does not necessarily reflect workplace requirements. Electives may be selected from one or more groups.

Working with people with alcohol and other drug issues

add topic CHCAOD402B Work effectively in the alcohol and other drugs sector

add topic CHCAOD510A Work effectively with clients with complex alcohol and/or other drugs issues

add topic CHCPROM503A Provide community focused promotion and prevention strategies

Working with people with mental health issues

add topic CHCMH402A Apply understanding of mental health issues and recovery processes

add topic CHCMH411A Work with people with mental health issues

add topic CHCPROM503A Provide community focused promotion and prevention strategies

Child protection electives

add topic CHCCHILD401A Identify and respond to children and young people at risk

add topic CHCCHILD505B Work effectively in child protection and out of home care for children and young people

add topic CHCPROT424A Develop a child protection practice framework

add topic CHCPROT429A Work collaboratively to maintain a child safe environment

Settlement work electives

add topic CHCSW401A Work effectively with forced migrants

add topic CHCSW402A Undertake bicultural work with forced migrants in Australia

Social housing / homelessness electives

add topic CHCCH301B Work effectively in social housing

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

add topic CHCCH428A Work effectively within the Australian housing system

add topic CHCCH522A Undertake outreach work

Oral health

add topic CHCOHC401A Inform and encourage clients and groups to understand and achieve good oral health

add topic CHCOHC402A Support and encourage clients and groups to learn practical aspects of oral health care


Pathways...

    Not Applicable


Entry Requirements

Entry requirements

To gain entry into CHC50708D iploma of Community Development a candidate must:

1. Be recognised as competent, through a recognised training program or recognition process, against the following core units of competency from CHC40808 Certificate IV in Community Development:

CHCCD404D Develop and implement community programs

CHCCD412B Work within a community development framework

CHCCD505D Develop community resources

CHCCOM403A Use targeted communication skills to build relationships

CHCCS411B Work effectively in the community sector

CHCINF407D Meet information needs of the community

CHCORG405D Maintain an effective work environment

HLTHIR403C Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers

HLTOHS300B Contribute to OHS processes

OR

2. Have sufficient relevant experience and knowledge of community development work to indicate likely success at this level of qualification in a job role involving:

The application of knowledge with depth in some areas and demonstration of a broad range of technical and other skills

A wide range of tasks and roles in a variety of contexts, with complexity in the range and choices of actions required and including work with culturally diverse clients and co-workers

The exercise of discretionary judgement and decision making under general guidance.


Licensing Information

Not Applicable


Employability Skills

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