Informed Choices - Community Services

Observational skills

• notice changes in people’s behaviour (interactions/manners)
• identify safety hazards and risks
• identify risk situations
• identify signs of verbal distress and/or aggression

 Communication skills 

• communicate effectively with a range of people (e.g. clients, co-workers)
• use appropriate language and respect when working with people from different cultures
• listen attentively to what is being said, including instructions
• read and understand written information
• understand and follow written and verbal instructions
• understand and respond to verbal and non-verbal communication
• write clear and coherent communication appropriate to the situation
• use technology to communicate (e.g. computer for reports, emails, documents)
• communicate and work with other people as a team

Technical and/or motor skills

• ability to use computers

Cognitive/intellectual skills

• understand other people’s perspectives/opinions and respect their choices
• gather, understand and organise information
• use your own judgment / basic problem-solving skills (e.g. to respond to immediate safety risks or where a client demonstrates concerning behaviours)
• ability to monitor own behaviour within an adult classroom environment
• maintain a sufficient level of concentration to complete an activity/task or to work with a client or group
• be attentive in interaction with others (e.g. to identify risks, to identify changes)
• perform tasks in a safe manner and within reasonable time frames
• ability to self-reflect and adjust own behaviours and responses

Behavioural and social skills

• demonstrate tolerance, patience and willingness to work with people from different backgrounds and cultures
• demonstrate professional behaviour in the classroom
• control your emotions and reactions, and withhold personal opinions
• tolerate close proximity with individuals
• interact with all genders
• respect personal and professional boundaries – including use of social media
• adapt to change
• take responsibility for own actions
• maintain confidentiality
• the ability to work autonomously (on your own)
• adhere to SM TAFE under 18 years requirements e.g. parent or guardian permission if attending excursions
• adhere to the SM TAFE Student Code of Conduct at all times and with all interactions with SM TAFE staff and other students

The language, literacy & numeracy requirements are core skills for all job roles at all levels. The Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) indicates that the five core skill areas are reading, writing, numeracy, oral communication and learning, which we apply in our personal and community, workplace and employment, and education and training. 

Some of the core language, literacy, and numeracy (LLN) skills for entry into this industry are:

Learning

• legal and ethical guidelines of work
• understand human needs
• individual differences
• service standards
• safety policies and procedures

Reading 

• reading and understanding client service plans
• procedures and work instructions
• industry-specific terminology and symbols
• workplace safety signs

Writing 

• completing forms and documents
• work health and safety reports
• taking messages

Oral Communication 

• active listening skills
• communicating with clients and their families
• communicating with clients who have impaired communication
• effective questioning
• phone skills
• providing information to team members

Numeracy 

• able to manage a work roster, including attending classes on time
• meeting assessment due dates as per the information provided

Problem-Solving 

• identify and respond to the client’s needs and behaviours to meet their needs or requests

Technology

• use software to update work notes
• record using reporting forms such as work health and safety reporting

Below are some of the important individual personal skills students need to demonstrate during training and are highly valued by the industry. Below are examples of the skills you need to demonstrate:

Communication

• develop and maintain relationships, trust and confidence
• communicate with a range of people from different backgrounds
• negotiate with distressed people
• communicate in groups (meetings)

Teamwork

• work with other people for a common outcome
• respect for other people and their role within the work team
• accept direction and feedback for own performance

Problem-solving

• identify potential problems and respond appropriately
• ask questions and seek clarification when necessary
• negotiate for common outcomes

Initiative and enterprise 

• motivation and interest
• the ability to seek assistance when necessary
• foresight / the ability to see what needs to be done

Planning and organising

• appropriate time management skills
• prioritise, plan and organise your own workload

Self-management

• seek feedback and reflect on your own performance
• accept responsibility for own actions

Learning

• ability to identify your own strengths and weaknesses and seek assistance where necessary
• the ability and motivation to build on past knowledge and experience
• take on new information and tasks

Technology

• the ability to learn and adapt to new technology
• the ability to access information and use digital media for study and work
• ability to learn new computer processes, such as logging into SMTAFE apps, downloading or uploading documents, navigating the internet and working within Microsoft Word documents

Mandatory work placements involve direct support to vulnerable people. Students must be able to demonstrate essential skills independently, such as following instructions, making decisions under pressure, and ensuring the safety of others. These are inherent requirements and cannot be modified. External support during placement is generally not permitted, and some adjustments may not be possible due to workplace and industry standards.

You are required to complete a  vocational placement (work placement) for the following qualifications: 

• CHC42021 Certificate IV in Community Services: minimum of 120 hours vocational placement
• CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services: minimum of 240 hours vocational placement
• CHC51122 Diploma of Financial Counselling: minimum of 220 hours of vocational placement

Please note that, during placement, you may be required to provide personal care needs to both male and female patients

Students will be required to: 

• complete a satisfactory Criminal History check / National Police Clearance (NPC) prior to placement
• travel to an appropriate organisation to complete a vocational placement
• attend vocational placement at times that may be out of normal business hours e.g. 8am – 5.30pm                   

2026 Work Placement

Work placement in 2026 will be held during these dates: 

• Semester 1: May 25th – June 18th
• Semester 2: November 9th – December 3rd

You must be available to attend all placement dates and times given by the facilities. Please note that placement will be held from Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, and you may be rostered mornings and afternoons.  Please note that your placement could be held at a facility up to 45 45-minute drive from campus. Transport to placement and parking costs are at the student's own expense. Please ensure you keep these dates available and consider making arrangements for children, caregivers and work obligations. 

You will be provided with a clinical placement handbook to document your progress whilst on work placement, and will be supervised by a nominated lecturer.        

All students must understand their workplace health and safety obligations and safety requirements under the following:

• WA Occupational Safety & Health Act 1984 which imposes obligations on people at workplaces to ensure workplace health and safety
• Occupational Safety & Health Regulations 1996 (WA) which describes what must be done to prevent or control certain hazards that cause injury, illness or death
• Codes of Practice, which are designed to give practical advice about ways to manage exposure to risks common to the industry

All students must be able to participate in Risk Assessments, Incident Reports and Hazard Identification.

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