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Commissioners Information Bulletin 426

Community Services - Traineeship

  • Community Services - Mental Health

Date of effect: 9 October 2009

The traineeship vocation of Community Services - Mental Health has been established.

Click here for the Community Services - Mental Health Vocational Training Order.

Qualifications, structure and packaging

CHC08 Community Services Training Package includes 74 qualifications ranging from Certificate I to Advanced Diploma. The Client Services sector of the Training Package has fifteen qualifications ranging from Certificate IV to Advanced Diploma. One qualification supports the traineeship pathway. Click on CHC40508 Certificate IV in Mental Health for details.

Job descriptions

Go to Job Descriptions for details of the jobs supported by the mental health traineeship qualification.

Industrial arrangements

Applications to establish traineeships whether full-time or part-time will not be approved unless the Commissioner for Vocational Training is satisfied that appropriate industrial arrangements are in place.

Some industrial arrangements under which trainees can be employed are listed here.

Employment screening

Workers and learners undertaking work or placements in facilities within NSW Health agencies must comply with Employment Screening Policy Directive PD2008_029.

Working with Children

Where the nature of any employer’s activities is child related and the employer is taking on a trainee, the employer must comply with the NSW Commission for Children and Young People’s Working with Children Program.

Learning resources and assessment materials

There are resources available from Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council and Australian Training Products.

Registered training organisations

For registered training providers which can deliver the traineeship qualifications go to National Training Information Service.

For organisations which are in contract with the NSW Department of Education and Training to be paid for the delivery of the traineeship training go to Training Market.

Transition arrangements

Transition arrangements allow the delivery of old and new traineeship qualifications, for three months after the date of effect of the new Vocational Training Order. See here.

Superseded Commissioners Information Bulletins

This Commissioner’s Information Bulletin supersedes information about Mental Health in Bulletins 314 and 321.

Inspecting Vocational Training Orders

A copy of the Vocational Training Order is available for inspection on this internet site below or at any State Training Services Regional Office of the NSW Department of Education and Training.

Enquiries

For any enquiries regarding this Commissioner’s Information Bulletin, please contact the Vocational Training Tribunal Unit on telephone (02) 9266 8579.

Approved by Phillip Moore
Commissioner for Vocational Training

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Job descriptions

Trainees undertaking this traineeship will receive training in working with individuals who experience mental distress and their families, carers and friends. The main role is to enable the process of recovery with the aim of living a full and satisfying life.

Trainee will learn to:

  • assist individuals to identify their strengths and enhance their skills and participation in a range of activities, events and programs,
  • work with groups and conduct outreach assistance that enables management of daily activities and connection with the local community,
  • assist in the development and review of individual recovery plans and provide referral and linkages to other community services and facilities.

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Industrial arrangements

Some of the industrial arrangements under which trainees may be employed are:

  • Social and Community Services Employee (State) Award
  • Notional Agreement Preserving State Award
  • Training Wage (State) Award 2002
  • National Training Wage Award 2000

Note: There are numerous Collective Agreements, current or in negotiation. 

  • In the private health sector, for a new entrant worker there should be provision equivalent to or greater than a Care Service Employee Grade 1.
  • In the non-government community services sector, there should be a minimum SACS Grade 1 award.

If using a Collective Agreement, Australian Apprenticeships Centres will need to ensure appropriate provision for the trainee.

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Community Services - Mental Health - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order

Date of effect

9 October 2009

Course of study

CHC40508 Certificate IV in Mental Health

Terms of training

Full time:

CHC40508 Certificate IV in Mental Health

  • 24 months or until the relevant competencies are achieved

Part-time:
See nominal terms and hours for part-time traineeships

Probationary period

2 months

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