Commissioners Information Bulletin 321
Issued: 2 November 2007

Community Services and Health - Amended Vocational Training Order for the recognised traineeship vocation of Community Services

At the request of the NSW Community Services and Health Industry Training Advisory Body (ITAB), the Commissioner for Vocational Training has approved the variation to the existing Vocational Training Order (VTO) for the recognised traineeship vocation of Community Services, under section 6 of the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act, 2001.

The amended VTO highlights an additional qualification, CHC50302 Diploma of Children's Services, from the CHC02 Community Services Training Package, endorsed by the National Quality Council in December 2002.

Vocational Training Order (VTO) Standard Format

The VTO in each instance specifies:

1. the appropriate term or terms for apprenticeship or traineeships in that vocation
2. the appropriate probationary period or periods for apprenticeships or traineeships in that vocation, having regard to the term or terms specified for them under paragraph (a)
3. the appropriate qualification or qualifications that may be awarded in relation to an apprenticeship or traineeship in that vocation
4. any other training to be provided in addition to the training required for an appropriate qualification
5. such other matters relating to the training of apprentices or trainees in that vocation as the Commissioner considers appropriate.

A copy of the VTO supporting the recognised traineeship vocation of Community Services is at Attachment A.

Traineeship Vocations

For the purpose of the amended VTO, trainees in New South Wales, in the community services industry will now have the option of gaining the following qualifications:

• Certificate II in Community Services Support Work CHC20102
• Certificate III in Aged Care Work CHC30102
• Certificate III in Home and Community Care CHC30202
• Certificate III in Children’s Services CHC30402
• Certificate III in Employment Services CHC30502
• Certificate IV in Employment Services CHC40502
• Certificate III in Youth Work CHC30602
• Certificate IV in Youth Work CHC40602
• Certificate III in Disability Work CHC30302
• Certificate IV in Disability Work CHC40302
• Certificate III in Social Housing CHC30702
• Certificate IV in Social Housing CHC40802
• Certificate IV in Community Services Advocacy CHC41202
• Certificate III in Community Services Work CHC30802
• Certificate IV in Community Services Work CHC40902
• Certificate IV in Out of School Hours CHC40402
• Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs Work CHC41702
• Certificate IV in Community Services (Service Co-ordination) CHC42002
• Certificate IV in Community Services (Lifestyle and Leisure) CHC41602
• Certificate IV in Mental Health Work (non-clinical) CHC41102
• Diploma of Children's Services CHC50302

The packaging and structure requirements for the new qualification are outlined at Attachment B.

Industrial arrangements

Community Services traineeship provisions exist in the following instruments:

Aged Care General Services (State) Award
National Training Wage Award 2000
Private Hospital Employees (State) Award
Private Hospital, Aged Care and Disability Services (Training) (State) Award
Social and Community Services Employee (State) Award
Miscellaneous Workers Independent Schools and Colleges (State) Award
Miscellaneous Workers Kindergarten and Child Care Centres (State) Traineeship Award
Kindergarten and Child Care Centres (State) Award
NSW Local Government (State) Award 2004
Training Wage (State) Award 2002

Award arrangements in the non-government community services industry sector vary and include many enterprise agreements. Relevant awards will be included as identified by employers.

Note - Applications under the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001 to establish any traineeship or apprenticeship will not be approved unless the Commissioner is satisfied that appropriate industrial arrangements are in place.

VET in Schools

The ITAB recommends that the Certificate II in Community Services Support Work CHC20102, the Certificate III in Aged Care Work CHC30102 and the Certificate IV in Out of School Hours CHC40402 are suitable for delivery in schools.

Learning resources and assessment materials

Some Community Services Training Package CHC02 qualifications have support material and resources available to enterprises, trainers and learners. Information regarding products and their availability can be accessed through http://www.nswcccn.net/

Enterprise based training and assessment resources for this qualification are being developed in New South Wales. Some Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) have developed their own resources to support training and assessment.

A record book for the pre-requisite Certificate III units and the Diploma of Children’s Services has been developed. It is available from NSW Community Services and Health Industry Training Advisory Body at www.csh-itab.com.au, email itab@csh-itab.com.au or telephone (02) 9816 2869.

A Recognition of Prior Learning kit has been developed to assist existing workers who wish to do the Diploma in Children’s Services but who do not have the Certificate III in Children’s Services. This kit provides the opportunity for these people existing workers to have their knowledge and skills recognised and mapped to the prerequisite Certificate III units, allowing entry into the Diploma traineeship pathway. This kit is available to RTOs from www.skillsonline.net.au

Licensing

There are currently no licensing requirements within the Community Services industry in New South Wales.

After completing the Diploma of Children’s Services anyone wishing to become authorised supervisors in children’s services must complete twelve months work experience post successful completion of the traineeship. This is a requirement of the NSW Department of Community Services (DOCS).

NOTE:  To ensure that this qualification will meet DOCS requirements for eligibility as an Authorised Supervisor, the following units of competency must be included in the traineeship pathway and successfully completed:

• CHCORG14B Manage a Service Organisation
• CHCCN5C Care for Babies

Please note that the NSW Children’s Services Regulation 2004 states that:

“A licensee of a centre based or mobile children’s service must not employ a person as a member of the primary contact staff of the service unless the person is at least 18 years of age.”

All Certificate III in Children’s Services and Diploma of Children’s Services trainees must be 18 years of age prior to commencing work. 

Child care workers are required by law to report to DOCS if they suspect, on reasonable grounds, that a child or young person is at risk of harm.  All children's services staff, in every type of children's service, must be aware of their obligations as mandatory reporters and must have completed the required training. Training for mandatory reporting is aligned to CHCCHILD1C which is a compulsory unit in the Diploma qualification.

Prerequisites

The following compulsory units from CHC30402 Certificate III in Children’s Services or equivalent are prerequisites to the Diploma of Children’s Services CHC50302:

• CHCCHILD1C Identify and respond to children and young people at risk of harm
• CHCCN1D Ensure children’s health and safety
• CHCCN2C Care for children
• CHCCN4D Respond to illness, accidents and emergencies
• CHCCS301A Work within a legal and ethical framework
• CHCFC1C Support the development of children in the service
• CHCIC1C Interact effectively with children
• CHCOHS301A Participate in workplace safety procedures
• CHCORG3B Participate in the work environment
• CHCPR1C Deliver services/activities to stimulate children’s development and enhance their leisure
• CHCPR3C Develop an understanding of children’s interests and developmental needs
• HLTFA1A Apply basic First Aid

Additional Requirement

NOTE: When a training contract for any Children’s Services traineeship is being lodged with a State Training Centre for approval, the contract must be accompanied by a satisfactory “Working With Children Check”.

The “Working With Children Check” applies to all people seeking to work in child-related employment.  In the “Working With Children Check”, paid and unpaid employees have to complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration Form.  A background check is mandatory for paid employees (including contracted trainees) in child-related employment that involves direct and unsupervised contact with children.  The background check involves:

• a check of relevant criminal records,
• a check of relevant Apprehended Violence Orders, and
• a check of relevant employment proceedings

Background checks are conducted by the NSW Commission for Children and Young People and other approved screening agencies.  Employers can find the forms for registering with an approved screening agency and getting a background check on a preferred applicant at www.kids.nsw.gov.au/check/resources
 
NOTE: Clause 53 (4) of the Children's Services Regulation 2004 also states that: "in the counting of primary contact staff...........a majority of the staff counted (and at least 2) are primary contact staff who are not trainees."

Availability of Registered Training Organisations

The National Training Information Service website www.ntis.gov.au identifies all RTOs in New South Wales registered to deliver qualifications from the Community Services Training Package CHC02.

Funding and Incentives

At the August 2007 meeting of the NSW Board of Vocational Education and Training, the Board endorsed the establishment of Diploma and Advanced Diploma level traineeships where there is demand in line with current industry based arrangements.

In July 2007, the NSW Board of Vocational Education and Training called for a report on the funding of apprenticeship and traineeship training in NSW. This report is expected to be completed in February 2008.  So while Diploma and Advanced Diploma qualifications may be approved for delivery as traineeship or apprenticeship pathways in NSW no decision on the funding of their delivery will be made until 2008.

Some targeted Diploma and Advanced Diploma qualifications attract financial assistance for eligible employers from the Commonwealth Government.

For details see - http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/employer/incentives.asp or contact your local Australian Apprenticeship Centre on telephone number 13 38 73.

For any enquiries regarding this CIB, please contact the Vocational Training Tribunal Unit on (02) 9266 8579.

PHILLIP MOORE
Commissioner for Vocational Training