Undergraduate Certificate in Community Support

Program Overview

The Undergraduate Certificate in Community Support equips students with the skills and knowledge to work in the social and community services sector. Through applied learning opportunities, students develop core competencies such as self-awareness, advocacy, and promoting equity and diversity. The program prepares graduates to provide quality, person-centered support and navigate the challenges and changes in the sector.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Undergraduate Certificate in Community Support provides a contemporary foundation for working in the social and community services sector. Designed in collaboration with industry experts, this course aims to develop the core skills, capabilities, and practices required to meet consumer, community, and workforce needs. These include self-awareness, resilience, advocacy, working in enabling and empowering ways, and promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion. Upon completion, graduates will be equipped to provide quality, person-centered support, navigate current trends, challenges, and changes in the sector, and apply principles of continuous quality improvement to achieve positive outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.

Outline:

The curriculum focuses on applied learning opportunities, where students engage with sector leaders, service consumers, organizations, and communities to explore and respond to real-world issues. Through interviews, scenarios, case studies, discussions, and a virtual community, students practice applying their skills and understanding to practical contexts.

Course Structure:

The Undergraduate Certificate in Community Support requires the completion of 50 credit points, including:

• ZAC101: Supporting People and Diversity (12.5 credit points)
• Three elective units chosen from the following:
• ZPP101: Professional Skills in Practice (12.5 credit points)
• ZAC102: Foundations of Health and Wellbeing (12.5 credit points)
• ZAC103: Contemporary Support in Health and Community Services (12.5 credit points)
• ZAC105: Health and Community Services in Australia (12.5 credit points)
• ZAC106: Quality Systems and Practice in Health and Community Services (12.5 credit points)

Course Schedule:

The course is offered in both face-to-face and online modes, with start dates in Semester 1 and Semester 2. Specific unit availability and schedules may vary depending on the selected mode of study.

Individual Module Descriptions:

• ZAC101: Supporting People and Diversity
• Explores diversity in the context of individuals, their unique lives, needs, and networks of support.
• Promotes self-awareness and reflection on personal values, beliefs, and self-care needs, as well as those of others, to broaden understanding and empathy.
• ZPP101: Professional Skills in Practice
• Develops work-ready, transferable, and professional skills and attributes sought by employers.
• Explores contemporary strategies and approaches commonly used in day-to-day employment settings.
• ZAC102: Foundations of Health and Wellbeing
• Examines how individuals, families, and communities understand and experience health and wellbeing.
• Identifies barriers and enablers of health and wellbeing, with emphasis on vulnerable, marginalized, and isolated population groups.
• ZAC103: Contemporary Support in Health and Community Services
• Explores and compares different models of service design, articulation, and delivery, and their influence on health and wellbeing outcomes for diverse population groups.
• Emphasizes rights, self-determination, and strengths-based approaches.
• ZAC105: Health and Community Services in Australia
• Introduces the organization, integration, funding, and governance of health and community services in Australia.
• Contextualizes reforms in the Australian health and community services system, highlighting the shift towards personalized, integrated, and consumer-centered care.
• ZAC106: Quality Systems and Practice in Health and Community Services
• Introduces the quality, safety, and regulatory systems that govern service delivery, reporting, and accreditation.
• Examines principles, policies, standards, and guidelines in the context of the individual, the consumer, and the organization.

Careers:

Career Outcomes:

The Undergraduate Certificate in Community Support is a suitable starting point for those interested in a career in the community sector, with or without prior experience. Graduates will be well-prepared to provide care, help, and support to people from all walks of life. The Community Services industry is projected to continue growing in the coming years, with potential career opportunities in voluntary, private, not-for-profit, non-government, and government sectors in health and community services. Graduates may find roles as team leaders, coordinators, supervisors, service managers, coaches, service navigators, and community development/engagement officers.